STEPPING TOWARDS A DREAM

During the summer of 2001 a small group of citizens from Tioga County sat listening as Sue Cook of Wellsboro unveiled a dream of compassion. She spoke of healthy domestic animals being euthanized, malnourished, or abandoned. She spoke of elderly or lower income families lacking the assistance to continue caring for the pets they loved so dearly. Most of all Sue spoke of the compassion for animals she witnessed throughout Tioga County and the lack of assistance those caring people found when needs to help their, or their neighbors', beloved pets arose. In the fall of 2008 Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries unveiled their plans for Tioga County's first center for animal care and compassion, the Dorothy Condict Feline Center.

With the combined spirit, work, monies, and advice and creativity of Tioga County the plans, several years in the making, move ahead. Dorothy Condict of Middlebury Center shared her love of animals with Sue and donated 10 acres of her beloved property on the Gee Road in Middlebury Township. Jim Howe, Don Wilcox, and countless creative and knowledgeable men and women from Tioga County have added to the project's design and philosophies.

After waiting patiently all this time, the Second Chance Team, each adding his or her own visions, expertise, and spirit, will have a home for making a real difference in Tioga County. Their active programs that help the elderly and their pets, emergency assistance that reaches domestic animals (Even oxygen masks were donated to all the local fire departments), and compassion assistance for those needing special help due to unforseen problems or overstretched low income dollars will continue working in Tioga County. Perfect Match, which finds new pet homes for owners unable to keep them due to moving or unforseen changes in their lives, homes for unexpected pups and kittens, homes for the beloved pets of deceased relatives, and homes reestablished due to those countless reasons in between will have a home and an address.

The building rendition above, brought to life by artist Bill Fidler, will become a welcoming hub of compassion in Tioga County. From the memorial gardens and spirited areas surrounding the building to the welcoming interior, this building beckons you to visit and return (and even possibly take a new pet to the best place of all, your home). Inside you'll find cats, yet very few cages. They'll be found in large inviting rooms called colonies. Each colony will be designed, constructed and cared for by contributing friends from schools, professions, individuals and groups from Tioga County. Each colony will be as unique as the cats inside and the friends that lend their talents. One large colony, the Tioga County Colony, has the look and feel and excitements of our very own county. A local art group plans the mural along one wall, two large aquariums representing the Tioga/Hammond and Cowanesque lakes house fish teasing the cats outside, and a climbing and resting maze of posts and walkways representing each town and major highway entice both the adventurous or laid back felines.

Our vision, and with the help of caring friends from all corners of our County, reality is to build not a building just to go to for help, or to find a pet companion, or that provides lifetime care for cats if needed. This building is where lending a hand, sharing the laughter and the excitement, and directly helping unfortunate animals occurs daily. This building is airy and light. It is cat friendly, people friendly, and environmentally friendly. It encourages active participation, visitors and volunteers.

The central Sunshine Room opens directly into each colony. Large windows allow you to peek inside. Large doors invite you to step in and enjoy their company. The Sunshine Room is also educational in the programs and information you'll find there. It is inspirational in the spirit, photographs and stories you'll see there, and memorial in its recognition of every contributor that has lent their help there.

Tioga County has shown its compassion and voiced its concerns. This center is by and for our Tioga County. Its construction and ultimate successes invite and need friends stepping forward to volunteer, donate and join.