Safe Haven Accepting Bids for No-Kill Animal Sanctuary

Stimulus Funds, Grants, Donations and Loans Fund Construction

of "Green" Building

Contact: Anne Gryczon, Executive Director, 302-519-4317

December 17, 2009

Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary is advertising for bidders to construct a "green," No-Kill shelter for cats and dogs on Shingle Point Road off Route 9 between Georgetown and Milton.  The building will be financed with Stimulus funds, loans, grants, and donations.  Safe Haven is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2004 to build a No-Kill sanctuary for abandoned and abused cats and dogs in Sussex County, Delaware.  

Safe Haven has thousands of supporters throughout the County who have worked hard toward the goal of building a No-Kill sanctuary for 400 cats and dogs.  With proactive adoption, Safe Haven expects to be able to provide a home for at least 2,000 animals per year.  In addition, the new building will provide state-of-the-art veterinary facilities that will be used not only for the cats and dogs staying at the sanctuary, but also for spay/neuter of pets and stray cats in the community. 

The Safe Haven construction project was awarded Federal Stimulus funds through Delaware Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC)  because the sanctuary is shovel-ready and an "environmentally friendly, innovative project." The Safe Haven bidding  and contracting process will comply with all requirements for Federal Stimulus projects. 

Safe Haven's "Green" Building

Safe Haven's unique "green" Animal Sanctuary was designed by David Quillin, award-winning architect.  "The  building's design is simple and cost-effective," according to Safe Haven's Executive Director Anne Gryczon.  "The cage-free environment for cats and dogs will minimize their stress levels as they await adoption."  The building is 19,500 square feet with indoor and outdoor living space for 400 cats and dogs, and state-of-the-art veterinary care facilities, as well as offices and public spaces.  

 By building "green," Safe Haven will not only reduce the impact on the environment, but also significantly reduce operating costs, which saves more funds to care for Sussex County homeless, needy animals.  Some of the eco-friendly components of the building include geothermal heat, solar hot water, use of recycled materials, a climate controlling courtyard and a vegetative roof.

Safe Haven's No Kill sanctuary will be the first commercial LEED-certified building in Sussex County, Delaware.  LEED certification is the standard for "green" buildings that was developed by the National Building Council and is recognized throughout the United States and a number of other countries.  Safe Haven's building will also be first LEED certified animal shelter in the Mid-Atlantic region and the second one on the East Coast.

Background on Safe Haven

After purchasing the 14 acre site for Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary in 2005, there has been steady progress toward construction of the building.  By 2007, the architectural plans by David Quillen had been completed, and the Federal wetlands permit needed for the site was approved.  In 2008, the state and local building permits were approved, and the roadway, parking area, and building footprint were  prepared for construction.  During 2008 and 2009, Safe Haven has also carried out programs for: transport of dogs from Sussex County to Northern New England where the animal shelters have space for more dogs; Trap-Neuter-Return of stray cats; and collection of pet food for people in need. 

Due to the economic downturn, fundraising for construction of the Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary was slower than supporters had originally expected.  Then early in 2009, the Longwood Foundation and the Welfare Foundation awarded major grants for construction of Safe Haven.  In July 2009, Safe Haven was given the $234,000 Federal Stimulus award by DNREC with funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Stimulus legislation) for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

In addition to the grants and Stimulus funds, Safe Haven is in the final stages of approval of a loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development program.  Although the USDA loan is not final yet, Safe Haven is proceeding with the bid process in order to meet the schedule required for the Stimulus funds. U.S. Senator Carper, Senator Kaufman, and Congressman Castle all have actively supported Safe Haven in the USDA loan approval process, not only because of the need for the sanctuary, but also because of construction jobs that will be provided in Sussex County during this recession and the permanent jobs in the the sanctuary when it opens.  

Once the contract is awarded, the General Contractor is required to complete the building within 10 months or face daily penalties.