After a period of tumult last year, the New Chances Humane Society – formerly the Faribault County Humane Society – is looking to rebuild its organization.

“Unfortunately, as of right now, the Faribault County Humane Society (FCHS) is going to permanently close,” interim president Ava Tvedten reports. “But, we are going to re-open as New Chances Humane Society (NCHS). We do have our EIN (Employer Identification Number). We’re pending the application for our 501(c)(3) status.”

The organization has also applied for a new kenneling license from the Department of Animal Welfare.

“We’re excited,” says NCHS secretary Jane Sybrandt. “The feedback we’re getting from people we’ve run into is all very positive.”

The NCHS board, now populated by several new members, decided to make some changes to the humane society’s operations following the departure of former president Debby Johnson.

The board asked Johnson to temporarily resign in mid-December following an incident with a dangerous dog which caused her to lose a portion of her thumb. After more concerns came to light, the board asked Johnson to permanently resign.

Since last December, the board has been taking steps to re-structure operations at the humane society, as well as continue renovations to its new building at Blue Earth’s West Industrial Park.

“We have policies and procedures that we’re going to be putting into place that are totally safety-minded, 100 percent,” Sybrandt explains. “We’re going to be transparent in everything we do.”

In an effort to maintain open relationships with area cities, the NCHS will invite one person from every city in the county to serve as their city’s representative on the NCHS board.

“They know what their city’s wants and needs are,” Tvedten reasons. “They would go to their city council and bring back their city’s ordinances so the humane society can comply with those ordinances.”

In pursuit of financial transparency, the NCHS plans to have a monthly open board meeting,as well.

“That way, the public knows, dollar for dollar, where (funds) are going,” Tvedten says.

The board also sent the FCHS’s 2023 financial records to JW Accounting for review due to concerns about mismanagement of funds.

“We’re two weeks in (to the review) and everything looks okay, so fingers crossed it stays that way,” Tvedten observes.

Sybrandt adds, “We don’t want any mystery. We want to make people feel confident that if they want to make a donation, or if they want to volunteer, they know that safety is our number one concern.”

Additionally, the NCHS is re-structuring its support system for volunteers.

“Being unaware of the lack of coverage (volunteer insurance) and putting volunteers, animals and the public at risk, we are making the effort to file for a new name and have a fresh start with proper coverage,” Tvedten says. “That way, not only ourselves, but the animals, volunteers and public are all safe and covered.”

The NCHS plans to implement a new system for volunteer training in partnership with Paws for Cause, an animal boarding, training and rescue business which is owned and operated by Tvedten.

“Anybody who becomes a volunteer would come and do safety training with me first,” she explains. “That way, if there is a problem, we have the proper records for it.”

The training with Tvedten, who has an animal behavior training certification, would be followed by a probationary period.

The board has also discussed designating shift leads for certified volunteers, department leads and an office manager.

Sybrandt adds, “We’re going to have a division of a cat crew and a dog crew. You have to have training for both.”

“We’re thinking if everybody has their own station, we’ll have more consistent volunteers, and more volunteers,” Tvedten summarizes.

The NCHS board also plans to install cameras throughout the building so any incidents are properly documented.

In the meantime, the organization is up to its elbows in renovations for the new building.

Last week, carpenter Ben Gjere installed walls at the facility to separate dogs and cats. The NCHS also plans to construct cat condos to provide felines with more space to run and play. And, the NCHS is looking into methods of sound proofing the main room where animals will be kept.

So far, the facility’s two bathrooms have been renovated, as well as the front office, main entry, and the volunteer and ACO entrance. The electrical for the wash station has been installed, and the HVAC and plumbing have been redone by Sal Meyer. Garlick’s Water Conditioning has also installed a new RO water softening system.

Tvedten says the NCHS has made every effort to hire local contractors for the project.

“I would personally like to see (NCHS) give back as much as they ask back,” she observes. “So, we’re really trying to stick with local contractors and local businesses.”

The NCHS is planning to make ADA-compliant renovations.

“There is an ADA grant we’re hoping to apply for soon,” she explains.

The NCHS has other sources for funding in mind, as well. The organization always appreciates donations, and it recently received a generous $10,000 donation from the Shirley M. Bartholomew Foundation and St. Paul Minnesota Foundation which will offset the $13,000 estimated cost to install walls in the facility’s main room.

The NCHS also plans to host a fundraiser on March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day – with a jackpot cash raffle ticket sale.

“We will split the jackpot between the winner and the humane society,” Tvedten says.

The fundraiser will be held at Lost Saint Brewing Company from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., with live entertainment provided by the band Misguided and food catered by Scotty Biggs BBQ.

“It will be open to everyone,” Tvedten adds.

In general, NCHS is interested in expanding its connection with the community.

“A lot of what we’re looking at doing intertwines with community development,” Tvedten explains. “It’s not just about us.”

For example, the NCHS has reached out to the local 4-H program to form a partnership.

“The Ambassadors Club is going to help us do the final paint touches out here, set up kennels, final decor touches,” Tvedten says.

In return, the NCHS is developing a program through which NCHS can donate supplies to low-income families who would like to participate in 4-H.

“Paws for Cause is donating rabbits, and New Chances Humane Society is donating the kennels,” Tvedten says. “That way, families don’t have to spend a large financial input just to start kids in 4-H.”

NCHS would also like to partner with local dog groomers, and possibly recruit a licensed veterinarian technician to work part-time at the facility.

Also, NCHS treasurer Lynn Albrecht would like the NCHS to become a member of the Blue Earth Chamber of Commerce.

“I really want a Sprout,” she laughs, adding, “We have a lot of dreams. A lot of goals.”

Of course, the NCHS’s foremost goal is to finish renovating its new building.

“We’re hoping, in a perfect world, that we can be open by March,” Tvedten says. “Right now, I’m really thinking that might be a reality.”

Until the NCHS is operational, Paws for Cause has a year-long contract to provide impound services to the cities of Blue Earth and Winnebago.

The NCHS plans to present a contract for impound services to the city of Wells in February.

“It’s written in a way that (NCHS) has the contract, but they’re partnered with Paws for Cause for the kennel space availability, because obviously we don’t have kennels here right now,” Tvedten says. “It’s saying we promise your animals will be safe and taken care of at the Paws for Cause location, but your contract is with us. Once we’re open, the animals will be at this dwelling.”

Tvedten would like her contracts with Blue Earth and Winnebago to be passed to the NCHS next year, too.

“My hope is to hold these contracts until these guys can get back on their feet and show that they’re bigger and better than ever,” she explains. “That way, I can step back and just be animal control.”

As for her recent work with the NCHS, Tvedten says that she is not there in any official capacity; she is simply there to help.

“I’m just coming as Ava, bringing what knowledge I have and hoping to get NCHS back on track, and back open, and better than ever – to where the NCHS community and the city of Blue Earth can be in a positive relationship and move forward in a positive direction,” she concludes.

For more information, reach out to the NCHS at its new number: 507-526-5160.