Noah’s Ark prepares to open its doors in Colby

A formerly crowded storage building along East Fourth Street is nearly ready to begin a new life — and to provide new beginnings for animals across northwest Kansas.

Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary is preparing for its grand opening at 1025 E. Fourth St. in Colby. Inside, new stainless-steel have been received for the canine unit, multilevel houses are being built for felines and a private meeting space will allow prospective adopters to spend time with an animal before taking it home.

After months of construction, fundraising and unexpected delays, one of the founders Audrey Hines said the sanctuary is now awaiting final approval from the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

“As soon as the inspector comes and says we’re ready to go, I’ve got everything ready,” Hines said during a recent tour of the facility.

Hines introduced the project to members of the Colby Rotary Club in early September. She said the idea had been on her mind for several years, but it began moving forward after groomer Lei Ann Barnett and Teresa Birney Atwood approached her last November about starting a shelter.

Hines agreed to secure the building and oversee its transformation. Since closing on the property in April, supporters have installed new electrical, plumbing, heating and air-conditioning systems. They have also renovated the interior, added a grooming operation and begun furnishing the rooms where animals will stay.

What once appeared to be an unlikely location proved well suited to the project. The long building allowed organizers to create separate areas for cats and dogs, along with space for grooming, boarding and adoptions.

“When I looked at it the first time, I said, ‘No way,’ because it was just full of junk,” Hines told Rotary members. “Then I looked at it again and thought, ‘This will really work.’”

The sanctuary expects to have room for approximately 20 dogs and 20 cats, although its goal is not to keep them for long. Animals will be promoted online and through social media in hopes of matching them with permanent homes as quickly as possible.

“I just want to rehome these animals and save them,” Hines said. “There are a lot of animals that really do need new homes.”

Some are surrendered when owners become ill, move into long-term care or can no longer afford their pets. Others have been abandoned or abused. Noah’s Ark hopes to give each one a safe place to land — and, eventually, a family.

The operation will rely heavily on volunteers and foster homes. Atwood is expected to manage the sanctuary’s daily work, while volunteers will help feed, clean, socialize and care for the animals. Foster families will give some animals a chance to live outside the shelter while learning the routines and manners that can make adoption easier.

Even before opening, Noah’s Ark has already encountered its first unexpected guests. Three cats were left at the facility and now are offering an early glimpse of the need the sanctuary was created to meet.

The project has received an outpouring of community support. Residents have donated blankets, food and toys, while Tractor Supply has contributed pet food and other supplies. A fund established through the Thomas County Community Foundation provided $5,000, and Hines said approximately $15,000 had been raised by the time of her Rotary presentation.

Still, opening the doors is only the beginning.

Each commercial-grade kennel costs approximately $2,500. The stainless-steel construction is necessary to withstand repeated washing and disinfecting, but outfitting the facility comes with a substantial price tag. Food, cat litter, veterinary care, utilities and staffing will create continuing expenses.

Supporters may sponsor kennels and other parts of the facility. Donors giving $500 or more will be recognized on a permanent donor wall, while gifts of any size can help purchase food, medicine and daily supplies. Businesses, organizations and individuals may also contribute goods or volunteer time.

Boarding and grooming services will provide some earned income, helping the nonprofit care for animals while they await adoption.

Hines described the sanctuary as a faith-based effort grounded in “faith, hope and charity.” Its success, she said, will depend on the same community generosity that helped transform an aging commercial building into a place of refuge.

The finishing touches are now falling into place. Kennels are being connected to a washdown system, cat houses are under construction and a website is being developed to feature animals available for adoption.

Soon, the yellow door beneath the Noah’s Ark sign will open to the public.

When it does, the community will not simply be touring a new building. Visitors will be stepping into a place designed to give lost and unwanted animals something they may not have had before: safety, care and another chance.

Grand-opening details will be announced after the sanctuary receives final approval. Those interested in donating, volunteering, fostering an animal or sponsoring a kennel can follow Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary on Facebook or contact the organization directly.