By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

The Humane Society of Chilton County has received a sizable donation toward improving the animal shelter.

The board received around $200,000 from a donor toward a new building.

Humane Society Board President Lee Helms said the organization is trying to find 1 to 3 acres on which to relocate.

The land would have to have connections to water, sewer and electrical to meet the shelter’s needs.

Helms said the current location is low lying and has flooding issues. Addressing these issues to rebuilding on the same site would be cost prohibitive, he said.

“A retrofit is not the best idea,” Helms said.

If this turns out to be the only option, the board would discuss with the donor about using the funds for renovation and expansion instead of a new building.

Despite a record month for adoptions recently, the animal shelter is still experiencing overcrowding. Most of the animals the shelter receives are sent to rescue organizations in Florida or Northern states with stricter spay/neuter laws. However, Animal Shelter director Jennifer Fesmire said animals usually have to be kept at the shelter for a week while they receive required vaccinations and are spayed or neutered.

Although the shelter is currently in Clanton, a new location would not be required to be in the city limits.

Clanton Mayor Billy Joe Driver announced that the animal shelter was looking for suitable land during a recent City Council meeting. He said he did not think the new location would have to be in Clanton because other municipalities in Chilton County had access to sewer.

The Humane Society of Chilton County receives animals from throughout the county and receives funding from various governments within Chilton County.