Super Heroes in Ripped Jeans (SHIRJ), a grassroots non-profit organization run mostly by volunteers, concentrates on helping people keep their pets to prevent as many animals as possible from ending up in the shelter and needing new homes has announced that they will be opening the doors of their new shelter located at 160 Pony Farm Road in Oneonta to the public on December 5 from noon to 4:00 pm.

You can come and check it out, along with the concept plan for the shelter before it gets renovated to accommodate adoptable dogs and cats. You can also shop for holiday gifts while you're there at the Holiday Gift Bazaar. In addition, you'll also get a chance to meet the new Executive Director, tour the building, enjoy some light refreshments, along with entering your name into a drawing to win door prizes! SHIRJ asks that you RSVP for this event for COVID safety reasons.

There is currently a capital campaign called "Super PAWSabilities" for the new facility. The fundraising goal is $200,000 and currently, over $42,300 has been raised. Learn more about this campaign and/or donate at: superheroesirj.org/super-pawsabilities. You can also opt to donate a new item or gift certificate to an area business for upcoming SHIRJ fundraisers. Just reach out to the animal shelter by calling (607) 441-3227 or by email: info@superheroesirj.org.

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The next step for the new building is that it needs to be renovated before sheltering dogs and cats. The Super PAWSabilities Capital Campaign will help to fund that renovation and SHIRJ is also applying for a $500,000 grant through the New York State-funded Companion Animal Capital Fund.

Below is a rendering of the new shelter from architects BBL Construction Services.

Credit: Super Heroes In Ripped Jeans, Facebook
Credit: Super Heroes In Ripped Jeans, Facebook
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Volunteer Lisa Meschutt informed me that the shelter has struggled financially during the pandemic as the group was unable to hold public event fundraisers until recently.

SHIRJ also has a great need for volunteers to work at their thrift store on South Main St. in Oneonta. The thrift store helps the organization with much-needed funds to continue operating and during the COVID-19 pandemic, they've had a hard time finding volunteers. If interested in donating even two hours of your time on occasion, please contact Kristin at SHIRJ by calling (607) 437-1432 or you can email: info@superheroesirj.org.

Follow news from Super Heroes In Ripped Jeans on their Facebook page and you can learn more about their mission and about adopting or fostering a pet at superheroesirj.org.

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