PRESS RELEASE

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:

Melanie Norton, Escondido Humane Society

(760) 839-7976 office/ (760) 505-9893 cell
For construction updates, visit: www.escondidohumanesociety.org

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON THE NEW ESCONDIDO

HUMANE SOCIETY ANIMAL CENTER

Nearly two years after fire destroyed the EHS animal shelter

ESCONDIDO, CA—October 25, 2002— Take a drive out to Escondido’s Mayflower Dog Park and just beyond it you’ll see tractors preparing the foundation for the future Escondido Humane Society Animal Center. It has been nearly two years since fire destroyed the Escondido animal shelter. Encinitas based general engineering firm, Sierra Pacific West began grading the site, located at 3450 Valley Center Rd, this week.

“We’re ready to get out the champagne and cigars,” says EHS President and CEO Phil Morgan. “This day has been a long time coming and it’s definitely worth celebrating. My deepest thanks to everyone who has helped us reach this point. It is a great new chapter in our organization’s history.”

With a 187 day construction schedule, a grand opening will take place in early Spring 2003. Fundraising for the new facility continues, as the building fund stands $185,000 shy of the $3.6 million cost of the animal center. Despite the deficit, the society has committed to completing the project as scheduled. “We’re currently working on opening week activities to highlight our grand opening,” says Morgan.

Measuring 15,000 square feet, the new Escondido Animal Center features:

1) 82 canine kennels measuring 4 ft. by 12 ft.

2) 72 cat condos with clear view fronts

3) 17 outdoor wildlife holding cages for use during the summer months

4) 36 kennels for our foster care program

# # #

About Escondido Humane Society: With a mission to eliminate animal abuse, pet overpopulation and homelessness among companion animals, EHS serves all of inland north county spanning from Pauma Valley to Poway.

About Sierra Pacific West, Inc: A General Engineering firm based in the City of Encinitas.  Sierra Pacific West, Inc. has completed a variety of military, commercial, industrial, and public works projects throughout Southern California, specializing in heavy highway, roadway, public school, memorial, community parks, and agency related work in a broad range of types and sizes. (760) 632-0382