Fundraising campaign aims to help new Animal Services building

The new Burke County Animal Services building currently under construction on Kirksey Road will fill the department’s needs for decades to come.

Now, those who help support the project can be remembered for decades through the Burke Animal Services Foundation’s (ASFI) naming rights fundraising campaign.

Donors can purchase the right to personalize everything from paving bricks to cat cages to kennels to the facility itself. Folks can honor people or their own beloved pets.

Kay Draughn, president of the foundation, said proceeds from the campaign will help Animal Services purchase “extras” that will allow the department to provide top-notch care for the county’s wayward and unwanted pets until they find permanent homes.

The new shelter will also house projects like the county’s Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) program for feral cats.

Included on the foundation’s list of wants are things like an extra autoclave for sterilizing surgical instruments, and a generator to provide power for the facility in the event electrical service is interrupted.

Draughn is confident the public will want to help make the shelter the best it can be.

“I believe that there are so many good people in Burke County, and this is an opportunity for them, whether it’s in honor of, or in memory of the pets in our lives that bring us joy or brought us joy,” Draughn said.

“It’s a great way for animal lovers to participate in this new, exciting shelter.”

The gift opportunities begin with 4-by-8-inch brick pavers for $150; 8-by-8-inch pavers are $300. There are 44 cat cages available for naming at $500 apiece, and 36 dog kennels for $1,000 each.

Naming rights for the entire facility go for $500,000.

A full list of donation levels can be found at www.burkecountyanimalservicesfoundation.com/shelter-store.

Draughn said the promotion would remain open indefinitely and hopes people will take advantage of the opportunity during the Christmas shopping season.

Some portions of the new shelter have already been purchased.

In December, William and Rose Mueller of Valdese donated $5,000, and got to name a small space designated for volunteers after Valdese Code Enforcement Officer Dylan Hicks, in recognition of his dedication to animal welfare and community service.

“It’s about being part of something great, something lasting, something bigger than yourself,” Draughn said.

The new shelter, located beside the 911 communication center, is expected to open in February 2026. It’s part of the Burke Board of Commissioners’ ambitious capital improvement plan.

County officials broke ground on new Animal Services and EMS buildings at a single ceremony last November.

Both facilities — with a combined cost of $13.5 million — are funded entirely by state and federal grant money.

The Animal Services Foundation has been raising funds to support the new shelter for several years. Draughn and Animal Services Foundation Vice President Alan Wood presented the county with a check for $50,000 at the groundbreaking ceremony.