PLATTEVILLE — In 2023 the Grant County Humane Society purchased the former Grizzly Flats building in Platteville for a new home.

The humane society made its last payment on the building Jan. 25.

Getting into that new home is the humane society’s goal this year.

“I am committed to keep this thing going,” said John Myers, a member of the humane society board.

This new year will mean steps forward to relocate the Humane Society from its current home at the Lancaster Veterinary Clinic to its new home in Platteville.

Work will begin on the inside of the building, which was purchased in May 2023, with demolition of some walls, some changing of floors, and other work that can be done without state-approved plans.

The Humane Society has worked with Delta 3 Engineering of Platteville on plans that will be submitted to state review soon.

Programming is all that is left to activate the information sign outside of the future home of the Humane Society at 500 E. Business 151, a sign Myers hopes increases the visibility of the project.

Myers estimates approximately $75,000 has being spent so far.

After the plans get approved, the heavy work begins, and the real money is needed.

Myers said the Humane Society needs to be on proper fiscal footing before it can house animals at the Platteville location. The organizers of the non-profit group have been studying other humane societies in Wisconsin, and have looked to how the Green County society is organized, and how much it costs to operate.

That model is up to $350,000 annually.

Myers said with funding from adoption fees and other sources, and other income, they estimate the Grant County Humane Society would collect about one-third of that amount annually, which means donations and grants are crucial.

Myers said Green and Rock county humane societies achieved proper fiscal footing from donations from estates and trusts after the death of donors.

The City of Platteville received an estate gift from Georgeanne Freudenreich, who donated in her will the money for the creation of an animal shelter. The fund, created in 1992, was administered by the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin with terms that the principal balance could be spent for “major animal related expenses” with a two-thirds vote of the Platteville Common Council.

The council vote to donate proceeds to the Humane Society for a new building in 2023, after which the fund dissolved.

Funds that generate revenue is important and more stable than having to constantly fundraise.

But fundraising is part of the project. Myers said a person will be coming forward shortly with a $50,000 matching challenge drive.

The program is also exploring potential grants.

“Before we open the doors, we need to have a certain amount of guaranteed money,” said Myers.

Platteville may not be central in Grant County, but it is more central to other parts of the Tri-States. Lafayette County has no humane society, and the Grant County Humane Society now gets animal surrenders from Galena, even though there is an animal shelter in Elizabeth, Ill., and a humane society in Dubuque.

The project, including the building purchase and renovations, is estimated at $1.7 million. The East Business 151 building was the site of Grizzly Flats, a roller skating rink owned by Richard Brockman, who owned The Platteville Journal for 32 years.

Myers emphasized that the project is one for the whole county, not just Lancaster or Platteville.

Donations for the project may be sent to the Grant County Humane Society, 222 S. Roosevelt St., Lancaster, WI 53813. Donation opportunities will be linked on the Grant County Humane Society Facebook page.