News Photo by Ben Ackley The exterior of the new Second Chance Animal Shelter, to be completed this fall.

ALPENA — Second Chance Animal Shelter in Alpena started as an idea discussed over coffee in 2018.

Since then, the group has operated as a network of volunteers who foster rescued animals until they’re adopted.

Since then, they have helped over 400 animals find permanent homes.

The group planned to open a shelter last year, but COVID interfered with those plans. Now it’s finally moving forward.

Workers are renovating an old warehouse that was used as storage by a construction company into a new shelter. When completed, the facility will be able to house approximately 40-50 animals at a time.

Second Chance Treasurer Leanne Bloom said that the generosity of Alpena has helped the project move forward quickly.

“The community here, locally, has been so supportive,” Bloom said. “We have so many people that donate regularly each month, and that adds up. We appreciate a $5 donation as much as a $100 donation because that’s what’s making this happen. The people of this community.”

The group’s new facility, which will serve Alpena County and the surrounding area, is funded entirely through private donations.

Bloom said Second Chance hopes to have its new facility ready by the fall.

This story is part of the Michigan News Group internship. A collaboration between WCMU and eight newspapers, including the Alpena News. Read more at TheAlpenaNews.com and wcmu.org/alpenanews.