Thanks to a memorial donation, Lane County will make improvements to the 1st Avenue Animal Shelter to help keep dogs warm this winter.
Harriet Ruby Smith gave more than $100 thousand to the county’s animal services division upon her death at 97 earlier this year.
County Commissioners Tuesday voted to allocate $29,500 to replace the kennel doors that allow dogs to go in and out. County spokeswoman Devon Ashbridge says Smith’s gift helps with much-needed improvements at the shelter.
“It’s already going to start making a very real and immediate difference for the animals in our care,” Ashbridge says, “And help us provide that service to our community because we know that it is critical and we know that we have a very strong community of animal advocates here in Lane County.”
Besides her bequest to Lane County Animal Services, Harriet Ruby Smith also left money to Greenhill Humane Society, Sacred Heart Hospital and the University of Oregon.
