Supporters of a new animal shelter for Racine County will get a big, colorful boost starting today (Friday) when a big red dog drops in.
A giant 15-foot red dog sculpture comes to the site of the Wisconsin Humane Society’s future Racine County animal shelter at 16th and 90th streets in Mount Pleasant. The unnamed pup will be there to raise awareness of an ongoing capital campaign to build a much-needed new facility.
The artist of the “Big Red Dog” is Jay Woody of Mequon. This is his first sculpture of this magnitude. The 1,500-pound canine structure is made of epoxy, concrete, wire, and wood, among other materials. Woody reached out to WHS, offering to donate it for whatever cause WHS found most compelling. The capital campaign for their Racine location was a good fit.
WHS acquired the Countryside Humane Society in Racine County in 2013. The building was originally a potato barn; despite renovations to improve the facility, the building does not meet WHS standards for animal care or public service. It is too small for the volume of animals coming into the facility.
Upholding a promise
To uphold its promise that every animal in adoption has as long as it takes to find a new home, WHS added a trailer to properly isolate contagious cats. The proposed state-of-the-art animal shelter and adoption center will feature expanded animal housing, community space, and a modern veterinary clinic for shelter animals.
WHS staff and friends of WHS have raised funds in the Racine of $1.8 million toward the $5.4 million goal. Fundraising efforts continue.
The “Big Red Dog” will be on display in Mount Pleasant through Friday, Aug. 31. For more information about the Wisconsin Humane Society’s capital campaign, or to make a donation for the new building, visit www.unleashthepotential.net or call 262-833-4010.