Blue River Pet Rescue continues work on pet shelter

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Blue River Pet Rescue has begun leveling the ground where its future pet shelter will stand.

Dr. Dan Ellis, president of BRPR’s board of directors, said when the organization began six years ago, its goal was to have a shelter.

“Going into it, we knew it was going to take time,” Ellis said.

Currently, the pet rescue focuses on dogs, which it houses through foster homes.

The shelter will house both cats and dogs—roughly 15-20 each, at first—and will run as a no-kill facility.

According to an article from the Independent on April 13, 2016, BRPR purchased land for its shelter in 2015. In the spring of 2016, the organization began requesting donations from government entities and county residents.

During an Aug. 3 interview, Ellis said the pet rescue, a non-profit organization, has enough funding to complete its first phase. However, it is still in need of donations to complete the building.

The first phase is construction, Ellis said, to get the structure up. He added that one building was donated to the shelter, and the BRPR will add to that existing building, doubling it in size.

The second phase will complete the interior of the shelter.

The building will be located in a lot west of Casey’s General Store, near Highway 15.

Ellis said the cats and dogs will have separate areas. The cats will live in a communal environment with toys to climb and play with.

“Cats do well in a community,” Ellis said.

No start date has been set for construction, as the initial building needs to be scheduled to move first, according to Ellis.

After more than six years of working toward this goal, Ellis said it’s nice to see the results of BRPR’s efforts.

“It’s exciting to know we’re that much closer,” Ellis said.

Ellis added that, if things go well, the land owned by BRPR has enough space to expand its building in the future.

Blue River Pet Rescue is accepting donations, which can be mailed to 521 First St., P.O. Box 10, Milford, NE 68405, or can be given online at www.blueriverpetrescue.org.