New Chances Humane Society has nearly completed an extensive renovation project, and is now able to board some four-legged guests. Above, Lady and Bolt enjoy NCHS’s new, fenced-in outdoor facility.

After taking a hiatus from operations, the New Chances Humane Society – formerly the Faribault County Humane Society – has welcomed its first four-legged guests.

Rosa, a chihuahua, is housed in the facility’s new indoor kennel space. Meanwhile, Lady and her friend Bolt, a husky, are taking full advantage of NCHS’s fenced-in outdoor facility when weather permits.

What used to be a cavernous back room has been transformed into a functional network of rooms, including an indoor, fenced-in dog run with AstroTurf, a row of cat condos, separate rooms for both large and small to medium dogs, and a grooming salon.

Most of the improvements are complete, from the installation of a new furnace to an air purifying system to an animal sanitation system.

In fact, NCHS director and president Ava Tvedten says the only big project which remains to be finished is the salon.

Tvedten explains the salon represents one of several ideas to generate revenue for the humane society.

“We are looking for professional groomers that would like to partner with us so we can work on getting a full-fledged salon open for not only the shelter animals, but for the public,” she says. “That would be a source of revenue that’s not based solely on donations.”

She adds, “We do plan on making it a professional salon. I want the public going in there knowing that their animals are safe, and that we’re sanitary and secure.”

NCHS is also looking at partnering with Paws for Cause, Tvedten’s animal boarding, training and rescue business, to implement a microchipping service and public animal training classes.

“As much as (NCHS) is a nonprofit, the thought is to use that income to not only sustain, but expand further,” Tvedten comments.

The facility is currently equipped to accommodate 10 dogs and 16 cats, but Tvedten sees a need for even more kennels in the future, particularly given the expanding population of strays in the area.

“It is now more important than ever to start building revenue for trap and release programs,” she observes. “We are asking for cities to consider an impound or kenneling contract with the humane society as another resource of revenue – ensuring some of those funds go back to individual cities for feral cat population reduction.”

Although NCHS is exploring new avenues for income, Tvedten clarifies that donations are still important, and are appreciated by the organization.

Following a period of turbulence at the end of last year which resulted in the resignation of former humane society president Debby Johnson, Tvedten says NCHS is prioritizing transparency through its finances and operations.

Tvedten says NCHS also wants to ensure that previous donors’ requests are being met.

She cites an example of a couple who donated a cumulative $10,000 last year, some of which they requested be used to install a commemorative bench with a plaque in remembrance of Riley Garvick.

The couple wanted a similar plaque installed on a dog kennel in Garvick’s memory, and they pledged to cover the expenses associated with the dogs housed in that kennel.

Tvedten says she learned of the couple’s donation by happenstance – prior to that, she was not aware that the memorial had been requested, nor could she find documentation of the couple’s donation.

“We’re missing a month of financial statements, and it doesn’t match with the amount of money that was spent,” Tvedten explains. “Anything that the public has to verify and validate that they made donations, especially memorial ones, we would love for them to come in and let us know.”

She adds, “We’re 100 percent going to fix that wrong. Those are people’s loved ones, and we want them to know that we care.”

Thanks to an anonymous donor from Georgia, Garvick’s bench and plaques have been commissioned. The bench will be installed in the indoor dog run, providing a place for prospective pet parents to play with animals at the shelter.

NCHS is also focusing on building a network of positive connections in the community.

One such initiative is a partnership with Minnesota Valley Action Council, which one of their programs connects youth and seniors with career opportunities at nonprofit organizations, and helps pay their wages.

NCHS has also been in conversation with an animal behavior college. Tvedten would like to collaborate with the college to arrange training for local, prospective professionals in animal grooming and training, and even vet technician certification.

“We’re talking to Minnesota State University about having their vets in school come down and speak with Dr. Bogan,” Tvedten adds. “Maybe we can bring him somebody.”

Additionally, NCHS is looking to build partnerships with the Faribault County 4-H Program, or even cross-train volunteers to work at both organizations.

“I’d like to see other community collaborations, so if there’s other clubs or events that want to partner with us, that would be phenomenal,” Tvedten says.

And, she is excited to announce that the organization is ramping up its new volunteer training program.

“We are looking to start opening up volunteer applications and start volunteer safety training as soon as possible,” she reports.

Additionally, NCHS is seeking volunteers to serve on a fundraiser committee which would be in charge of generating fundraising ideas to bring to the NCHS Board.

In closing, Tvedten says she wants the community to know that NCHS closed its doors for a few months to restructure its organization for increased safety and accountability following the incidents which occurred last year.

“I hope people understand that we’re taking this time to do it right, so we’re never back to where we were,” she explains. “I know there’s a lot of hopes and expectations for this humane society, and I hope we make everybody proud.”