Animal Shelter Cramped But Hopeful Since Fire

It's condensed and cramped, but bursting at the seams with optimism.

That's how the director of the Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary describes current conditions at the shelter.

"It's been tough. It's been a real struggle. It's been frustrating," said Kay-Lynette Roca, executive director of the Jupiter shelter.

Fire ripped through the building four months ago. First responders rushed in to save dogs and cats, but the facility was a total loss.

While it rebuilds, Safe Harbor has squeezed their 5,000 square-foot facility into a handful of smaller offices about a quarter of the size. That means some of the cats are crowded into a space no larger than a closet and the cages for large dogs are full.

Despite the hardship, the shelter's director says morale remains high.

"I think we went through a period of mourning, and then I think we went through a real period of unity," Roca said. "And then I think we went through a period of, you know, we're gonna get through this, and we're gonna be better for it."

The shelter's new facility was supposed to be complete this month but has been delayed due to construction issues. Roca says their landlord's insurance claims were also denied, which means that much of the nearly $400,000 raised right after the fire will go toward the new facility. It should be ready in September.

"You never want to look a gift horse in the mouth and say, 'please give more,' but this is a tough time right now [in] our economy,"  Roca added. "And charities are always hit the hardest."