No-kill shelter hoping for an early Christmas

A long-awaited project is about to come to fruition as Symphony Animal Foundation is hoping to be open by Christmas.

Founder Laraine Harper said if Wulfenstein Construction paves the parking lot this week, as is scheduled, shell be ready for the final inspections and getting her certificate of occupancy.

The project began five years ago when Harper filed for a nonprofit status. The idea for a no-kill shelter is a result of the loss of her two beloved St. Bernards.

Im so thankful to have had them in my life and I want this shelter to be a tribute to them, Harper said. I loved them so much.

She said age and illness catches up quickly to larger breeds and if they live eight to 10 years, they have lived a long life.

After her nonprofit status was approved, Harper went before the County Commission to ask for a parcel of land the foundation could lease. Commissioners offered her two acres off of Siri Lane on a two-year lease but were going to require approximately two blocks of street to be paved.

There were other issues, including the astronomical cost of bringing water, sewer and power to the property.

I dont have that kind of money, Harper said.

She consulted with whom she calls the smartest man alive and her mentor, Ray Wulfenstein. Ray told me it was impossible.

Harper had three 24 x 60 double-wide trailer shells donated to her by Nye County Emergency Services several years ago when the project seemed to be spinning its wheels. The original buildings were donated to the emergency services by the Nye County School District to use as offices. It donated the remaining three to her foundation.

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No-kill shelter hoping for an early Christmas