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SICSA on the way to opening new facility in Washington Twp.

SICSA, a pet adoption center located in Kettering, is moving forward with plans to expand to a new, 25,000-square-foot facility on Washington Church Road in Washington Twp., officials said Tuesday

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Township trustees approved the plans Monday night, after the adoption center raised nearly 50 percent of the $5 million needed for the facility.

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Scott Paulson, president of the board of trustees for Washington Twp., said he’s excited to welcome the addition, noting that several SICSA volunteers are members of the community.

“We’re happy to have SICSA joining us here in the township,” he said after the trustees approved the plans Monday. “They’ve put a lot of effort into building a world class building. Its going to be a great addition to our community. We’re really excited.”

Nora Vondrell, Executive Director of SICSA, formally announced the expansion Tuesday morning at a press conference.

“Our new home in southern Montgomery County will demonstrate to our community the varied and expanded solutions needed today to face our area’s homeless pet population,” Vondrell said in a statement.

SICSA adopts about 1,600 cats and dogs and spays/neuters over 2,700 animals annually.

In 2016, SICSA saw the largest number of animal adoptions in the group’s 43-year history – 1,654, according to data from the organization. They’ve had a 46 percent increase in the last five years and 72 percent over the last decade.

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SICSA’s facility at 2600 Wilmington Pike in Kettering is about 11,000-square-feet and will remain open. The new adoption center in Washington Twp. will be more than double the size of the Kettering building.

SICSA said ‘significantly’ more volunteers will be needed to support both sites. SICSA has between 700 to 800 volunteers.

According to SICSA, in Montgomery County, 46 percent of all stray animals are euthanized. About six years ago, the rate was around 65 percent. SICSA helps reduce the number of euthanized animals by taking some in from the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center.

SICSA officials said they plan on breaking ground once they’ve raised the full $5 million for the project. Construction is expected to last about a year after the ground breaking.

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