After the flood in 2008, and now at a permanent facility once again, the new Iowa City Animal Shelter is already buzzing with pet-seekers and volunteers. After a futile attempt to try to save the old building after the 2008 flood, the new facility is built on over 11,000 square feet of land.

“Through the futile endeavor of trying to sandbag the old place, The community support was tremendous,” Iowa City Animal Shelter Supervisor Liz Ford said.

When the previous shelter flooded in 2008, the facility had lots of support from the community, and from groups outside of the state in reconstruction. Volunteer groups from other states-mainly animal activists-brought their knowledge of animal care to help when the shelter moved out to the fairgrounds temporarily.

Even one year post-flood destruction in 2008, as the shelter remained relocated at the fairgrounds, members of the Animal Shelter community thought that there was still a chance to return to the old building. As It was decided that the old shelter was not salvageable, staff viewed this as an opportunity for a fresh start.

“What if we don’t go back?” Animal Shelter community members asked. “What if we couldn’t?”

Permanent relocation became a reality, but it took five and a half years to get approval from FEMA. Then it was a matter of getting funding to and work with a contracting construction company for the new structure. Unexpectedly, the shelter remained at the temporary facility for seven years. Once the building was constructed, the Animal Shelter relied heavily on volunteers.

“One of the most important things about this particular shelter is how much we rely on the community support,” Ford said. “We rely on them for volunteers, donations to help us care for the animals, and the adoption our animals.”

The new building brings more space and protection for the animals, as well as for the public. There is a staff-only corridor for compromised or new arrivals and the other is for the public where they can come and see animals available for adoption.

From the flood in 2008, to the seven-year drought in a permanent location, the Iowa City Animal shelter now rests in a permanent location. Without support from community members, the shelter may not have found a future in Iowa City.

I am so grateful for all the Community support that we have received through our transition and when we had to temporarily relocate to the fairgrounds,” Ford said “Without them we couldn’t run as efficiently as we do.”