The Hawaiʻi Island Humane Society (HIHS) was awarded a $1.5 million grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to support final renovations of the Anne Barasch Ryan Animal Hospital. The grant will also name

The Bob & Renee Parsons Welcome Center as part of the organization’s Animal Community Center, which is a 12-acre campus designed to shelter animals in humane, modern housing and to provide the Hawaiʻi Island community with a variety of low-cost pet services. The center encompasses two dog parks for public use and a welcome center.  The facility houses a pet support department, retail shop and an administrative building. The Center also features Adoption Square, which includes a fenced-in yard for pets to play outdoors, Scruffee’s Cat Barn and three Dog Dorms. The final goal for HIHS’ Animal Community Center is to provide a humane facility for animals while also ensuring pet owners and community members feel welcomed.

The Anne Barasch Ryan Animal Hospital will allow HIHS to increase its capacity to provide low-cost and free veterinary care services to the community. The 13,000-square-foot facility, slated to be completed by the end of 2022 or early 2023, will feature a veterinary hospital and intake wing. The hospital will include three surgical suites and diagnostic equipment including ultra-sound and x-ray machines, isolation units for pets with infectious diseases, an intensive care unit for pets in recovery and exam rooms. The intake wing will provide temporary housing for adult dogs, puppies, adult cats and kittens that have been surrendered by their owners, found stray or transferred in from other organizations.

To learn more about the Hawaiʻi Island Humane Society visit hihs.org or follow @HawaiiIslandHumaneSociety on Facebook.