WAIF taps Oak Harbor’s P&L Construction for new shelter

Oak Harbor-based P&L Construction will build the new animal shelter in Coupeville, with ground breaking slated for late July.

Oak Harbor-based P&L Construction will build the new animal shelter in Coupeville, with ground breaking slated for late July.

The contractor will be in charge of assembling a new 12,544-square-foot shelter, according to a recent Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation news release.

It will be located on nearly 10 acres and will have an expanded spay/neuter surgical site, six acres for dog-walking trails, can hold up to 140 cats and have more space for dogs. Other building upgrades include modern ventilation and sanitation systems, an intake area, adoption rooms, isolation units, grooming space and a training and education area.

“Many people in the community have been waiting patiently for this endeavor to take hold,” said WAIF board president Bob Rupp, in the news release. “With the selection of P&L Construction, we expect things to move quickly and at an efficient pace after we break ground.”

The septic systems, electricity, phones and Internet are already established. The nonprofit that helps pets on Whidbey hopes to raise $3.8 million for the project, and has about 75 percent of that thus far from public donations.

The new shelter will be located close to the existing shelter in Coupeville, near the entrance to Rhododendron County Park.

For more information, visit www.waifanimals.org/new.