Carver-Scott animal welfare group seeks higher profile

The Carver-Scott Humane Society is working to raise its profile before it considers building a permanent shelter building, while hundreds of animals abandoned yearly await adoption in volunteer foster homes.

With land work and construction for a shelter projected to cost $1.5 million, the group's focus for 2015 is developing more programs, expanding outreach efforts and seeking to become better known, said executive director Bruce Kranig. The group's budget totals about $175,000 a year.

The hope is that the higher profile will position the nonprofit organization to launch a capital campaign to raise money to build and operate a 3,500-square-foot shelter, Kranig said.

The building would go on four acres of farmland the group owns on the northeast corner of Hwy. 169 and Hwy. 41/Chestnut Boulevard in Jackson Township in Scott County.

The organization already has developed a new website featuring animals available to adopt. And it's becoming more active in social media.

It's working with a consulting firm that has volunteered to assess its readiness for such a fundraising effort, Kranig said.

"The first step in the process is a feasibility study and getting to the point where we can start talking to key stakeholders, key donors and sponsors, presenting our program and our desire or intent to build a shelter, showing them the impact we're having in the community and gaining their commitment to stand behind us and support us as we do this," Kranig said.

It typically adopts 275 to 300 animals a year, with cats accounting for 55 percent last year and dogs 45 percent, according to Kranig. The group has 19 dog foster homes and 20 for cats.

The society purchased the land for a future shelter building with help from a 2007 donation of $400,000 from a Minnetonka-area couple.

Kranig joined the organization in August 2013, after the volunteer board of directors decided to hire an executive director.

His background combines nonprofit experience from working with the American Red Cross in St. Paul and shelter management experience gained over several years at the Animal Humane Society location in Golden Valley.

After Kranig's arrival, the board adopted a new strategic plan that addresses issues including the need for a shelter. Board members determined, however, that the organization wasn't in a financial position to move forward with building plans.

The group has an office in the Lehman Garage building in Chaska, where it offers animal behavioral and training classes and educational meetings. While a shelter building would contribute to raising the group's profile, it also would enable it to expand training and educational offerings while providing housing for some animals on a long- or short-term basis, Kranig said.

The society's Rescue Roundup, its fall fundraising event, will take place at 6 p.m. on Oct. 24 at the Chanhassen Event Center. It will feature music, a silent auction, a photo station and barbecue. The cost is $29 for pre-event online registration or $35 for walk-in registration. For information or to register, go to http://www.carverscotths.org.