Thanks to the kindness of Ms. Ann Hart and her son, Mr. Robert Hart, 28 acres of land were donated to FJCAS, and we were given the opportunity to purchase an additional 28 acres. With the help of volunteers, we cleared a portion of the land to begin planning Phase 1 of a multi-phase project, starting with a small-capacity dog shelter.
As of August 31, 2026, FJCAS has raised $102,052.54 toward the shelter build. While working toward this goal, we have spent a lot of time talking with neighbors, community members, and other shelters, hoping to avoid any big mistakes by learning from their guidance and advice.
We've learned that although we have land in the Bullard Creek area, we should evaluate locations closer to town to make it more convenient for volunteers and adopters. But the location must still be somewhat secluded, far enough from neighbors to avoid disturbing our community with noise and traffic.
We also learned that shelters often fail after they are built because they have insufficient funds to maintain operations. So being prepared with a minimum of six months' operating funds is a must.
No doubt about it, this is a journey. But we're staying the course and continuing on with low-cost spay/neuter, fostering and community food programs, even while we work toward a shelter. Because it's all so important for the pets and people of Jackson County.
Stay tuned, friends, as we continue moving forward!
Considerations as We Plan ...
Funds and Volunteers
Jackson County is badly in need of an animal shelter and we are anxious to meet this need for our community. Building a shelter facility is costly and relies on the generosity of donors and grants. However, building a shelter is only the beginning - we must be able to staff the facility with trained volunteers and have sufficient funds to meet operating costs.
Neighbors
FJCAS' land is not located in a highly populated area but we do have neighbors down the road from us, across from us, and behind us. We want to make sure our facility and location are designed with respect for our neighbors' comfort and our neighborhood's beauty.
Other Essential Programs
While we raise funds for the shelter building, we must continue our deeply-discounted spay/neuter program and our community pet food distribution. These programs are essential to reducing the number of unwanted pets in Jackson County and to helping pet owners keep and afford their own beloved animals.