A new shelter for unwanted animals on Central Whidbey will soon be built.

Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation, or WAIF, will have a celebration at noon Saturday, Aug. 3 for the initial phase of construction. This celebration will include a first-hand look of the new site.

The Central Whidbey location recently completed its annex building at the new shelter site off Highway 20. WAIF’s current facility operates out of a temporary building located on the Island County Solid Waste Complex.

The target build date for the main shelter building, which will include six miles of dog walking trails, is early fall 2014.

In a news release, WAIF leaders said the organization is also starting a campaign to drum up public support to fund the new shelter while not borrowing money for the project.

Food and refreshments will be provided, and participants may bring their leashed dogs. For more information, visit www.waifanimals.org/new or email newshelter@waifanimals.org