By HAYLEY HARMON
6 News Anchor/Reporter
NEW TAZEWELL (WATE) - People in Claiborne County looking to adopt a new pet will have a brand new place to do just that.
The Claiborne Animal Shelter celebrated its grand opening Saturday.
Volunteers with the shelter say they've been working since 2008, trying to get a shelter opened in the area. They broke ground on the New Tazewell facility in 2009, but once it was finished, they didn't have the funding to open it.
"The shelter was built completely from donations and volunteer labor. And in 2010, the shelter was finished and ready to go, and we didn't have any funding to run it," said Executive Director Liza Martz.
After raising money through donations, grooming and low-cost spaying and neutering, an unexpected event jump-started the shelter's opening. Martz says they found a dog tied to the front door, and it was then they decided they would have to open soon.
More than 300 animals have been dropped off at the shelter since April. Each animal is vaccinated, spayed or neutered. The shelter, which relies solely on donations at this point, is now at full capacity.
Residents say it's great to finally have a shelter in their area.
"Oh, it's very important, because people throw them out and you see them in the houses, and now they're bringing them here," said Claiborne County resident Joyce Hurst.
If you would like to donate to the Claiborne Animal Shelter, just give them a call at 423-626-2686, visit their website, or stop by the shelter at 674 Ritchie & Lewis Drive in New Tazewell.
The Claiborne Animal Shelter celebrated its grand opening Saturday.
More than 300 animals have been dropped off at the shelter since April.
The shelter, which relies solely on donations at this point, is now at full capacity.
