“MuttNation Station,” a pet adoption center in Lindale, had its official groundbreaking on Saturday, October 7.
Participants included Bev & Rick Lambert, MuttNation Foundation, TJC North, GreaterGood.org, the City of Lindale and The Cannery Lindale. When the center is completed, it will be operated by TJC North in conjunction with the City of Lindale.
TJC North entered into an agreement with the City of Lindale for the TJC Vet Tech program to provide vaccinations, spay/neuter services and general wellness care to animals at the Lindale Animal Shelter. Earlier this year, TJC North opened its new facility in The Cannery complex, which is next to the City of Lindale’s 23-acre Darden Harvest Park, which includes walking trails and concert stages.
“MuttNation Station” is within Darden Harvest Park, adjacent to a two-acre leash-free dog park also under construction now.
Renovation of MuttNation Station adoption center began Saturday, October 7, and work is scheduled to continue the next two weeks. An official “unveiling” will be held in approximately two weeks. It is a community-wide effort coordinated by Bev & Rick Lambert, MuttNation Foundation, GreaterGood.org and Rescue Rebuild. MuttNation Foundation was founded by Miranda and her mother, Bev Lambert, to help shine the spotlight on rescue animals and shelters, and to ensure that as many dogs as possible would have a safe and happy place to call home. The City of Lindale provided the two acres of land, and The Cannery donated the 1907 home for the pet adoption center.
“This is a project very near and dear to the hearts of the Lambert Family. It’s four years in the making and a dream come true in our hometown of Lindale. GreaterGood.org, Rescue Rebuild and MuttNation are all celebrating our 10th anniversaries and we are doing it with a BANG,” Bev Lambert said. “The venture includes the adoption house, a leash free dog park, a social center and outdoor community area for dog lovers from here and tourists visiting the Pink Pistol & The Cannery,” she added.
“This is a project very near and dear to the hearts of the Lambert Family. It’s four years in the making and a dream come true in our hometown of Lindale." -Bev Lambert
Once MuttNation Station is completed, MuttNation will hold its animal adoptions there. TJC’s vet tech students will help with adoption days and prepping animals for adoption, and the vet tech program will use the facility to observe and teach animal behavior. TJC will also provide continuing education for veterinary professionals in the area.
Dr. Cliff Boucher, dean of TJC North, said, “This is an excellent opportunity for our vet tech students to learn in a hands-on setting while helping homeless animals find people to adopt them. We are so excited to be working with the Lamberts, MuttNation Foundation and the City of Lindale.” Dr. Boucher said that TJC students and employees will volunteer their time on Tuesday, October 17, to help with the renovation project.
Lindale City Manager Carolyn Caldwell said, “We are so excited to have a place where dogs can get adopted since there has not been a place before now. We appreciate TJC North, The Lamberts, MuttNation and GreaterGood.org for the work they are doing to make this possible for the City of Lindale.”
“Volunteer projects like this build excitement, and it gives people the opportunity to give back to their community,” said GreaterGood.org’s Rescue Rebuild Founder and Project Director Bryna Donnelly. “We encourage people to come out and help with the project and help get deserving dogs adopted,” she added.
To volunteer for MuttNation Station renovation project, please go to: http://bit.ly/2xk6T7R