FORT MADISON, Iowa — A community in Iowa is rallying behind a newly renovated animal shelter.
In September, P.A.W. Animal Shelter celebrated a nearly $7 million renovation, which was raised through donations from local and dedicated supporters. The new building is 28,000 square feet. It's a change Director Sandy Brown said is a huge improvement from the former 1,800-square-foot facility.
"I just cried," she said. "That shelter had served us well, but when you look there, and then you come here, you see what the good Lord and the people who believed in our mission helped us accomplish."
Brown said animal shelters across the country are in need.
"Sheltering has never, ever been this bad. We have never had this many animals," she said.
The facility features 10 new 'Meet and Greet' rooms that Brown said could help more animals find forever homes.
"Before it was just a room with an animal in it. If you wanted to meet a dog, you had to go in the parking lot because we didn’t have a spot," she said.
As she walked through the halls of the new building, Brown pointed to a mural with the phrase "Together We Do Great Things” painted on it.
"This is our wall of gratitude," she said. "It's all about the community. They are behind us 100%," employee Amanda Melvin said. "Without them, we couldn’t do what we do”
Wednesday, Oct. 23, is the organization's biggest fundraiser of the year and will take place on Facebook Live. The group hopes to raise funds for upkeep and final building expenses.
“I’m just ready for people to come in and find their new companion and take them home," said Melvin.