CORPUS CHRISTI (Kiii News) -
Big plans are in the works at the Gulf Coast Humane Society. The non-profit no-kill animal shelter is looking to expand to include a dog park.
The shelter just received a large amount of money as a gift from a supporter who recently passed away, but there was one condition: that the money be used to build a dog park at the shelter.
Crews were already hard at work on Friday, moving dirt and planting trees. At a cost of $70,000, the dog park will include a walking trail, a fountain the dogs can splash around in and an exercise course.
The park is being built right behind the facility to allow volunteers and perspective adopters to take dogs to the park and socialize.
"This broadens their ability to have a normal life," said Harold Bennett, executive director of the Gulf Coast Humane Society. "Get out and play, get off leash and have human interaction in the park, rather than be in a run with a bunch of other dogs."
Unfortunately, the park will not be for public use. It will only be used for shelter dogs, and that's because there is a fear of cross contamination with outside dogs, and what diseases they might bring in.
If you want to get a preview of the dog park, at 10 a.m. Saturday morning there will be a groundbreaking ceremony. Officials hope to have it open by the end of next month, just in time for the shelter's Paw Fest event.
