A recent interior renovation project has given the Miami County Animal Shelter staff updated working space and those thinking of adopting a designated visiting area.

"I'm thrilled. It is much more open. It is more inviting, more up to date. We have had positive feedback from everybody who has come through the door," said Marcia Doncaster, shelter director.

Doncaster, who has been with shelter going on four years, said the building just north of Troy along County Road 25A in Concord Township was “very cramped, not private at all, making it difficult to do any type of sensitive business.”

The updated space gives the shelter entry and desk area a more professional look, she said.

The work was designed by Troy architect Candace Goodall. The changes were made by Bruns General Contracting. The cost was around $26,000.

Among project aspects were removing an old counter, tearing out and office and relocating it, taking part of the break area and converting it to the visitation area and relocating the desk to the area that previously housed an office.

The visitation area features a half-door. The design allows staff to see visitors spending some time with an animal they are considering adopting and to answer any questions the potential owner may have.

The relocated desk also gives staff the ability to view and monitor the kennel area and the parking lot.

Doncaster said the shelter has weathered the winter well with adoptions going very well for this time of the year. Last weekend, six dogs were adopted in less than six hours.

She thinks adoptions have been enhanced by photos on the shelter’s website at www.co.miami.oh.us/shelter. The shelter is always in need of donations of items such as trash bags, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, bleach and dog and puppy food, among others.

For more information visit the shelter’s website, call 937-332-6919 or stop by the shelter 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.