The Cochrane and Area Humane Society will have a new Education and Rehabilitation Centre by the end of 2016.

The 4,000 square foot project broke ground last Wednesday, July 13, on the existing Humane Society property.

Jaimie Anton, Fund Development Officer with Cochrane and Area Humane Society, says the centre will allow the organization to continue with the programming they offer now, and expand into new programs as well.

"It is going to allow us to run all of our dog training classes, our obedience classes, as well as our kids programming and education out of it. There will also be a dog wash and grooming area in it that public will be able to access."

Anton shares the centre will allow the Humane Society to be more self sustainable with revenue.

"Up until now, we've had very generous supporters who have allowed us to have the training facility that we do have free of charge all these years. We're losing that training facility in the upcoming future, so we knew that this was something that we needed to build in order to maintain those revenue generating programs."

The Cochrane and Area Humane Society is also seeking locals who would like to foster an animal for long term, or short term during construction.

"Between the noise, movement, and everything going on, we have a bit more concern for some of our animals maybe being a little bit stressed out. We want to make sure that they're in a good position, so anyone interested in fostering would be great."

Anyone interested in fostering an animal is asked to contact the Cochrane and Area Humane Society.

The Cochrane and Area Humane Society will continue to raise funds for the Education and Rehabilitation Centre throughout the building process and they are currently at about 83% of their goal of $850,000.