A new animal shelter is coming to Columbia. The Harold and Judy McKonly Family Foundation was established by the late Judy McKonly, who passed away in August of this year. Judy’s vision was to open the best cat shelter (with some dogs) in the country, and hopefully this dream will be fulfilled in 2018. Her son Mike McKonly and business partner, Keith Lutz, purchased the 8,000 square foot Vigilant Fire Hall on 10th St. in Columbia (known as the Viggie’s to Columbians) in 2016 with that repurpose use in mind.
Zoning has been approved, architectural drawings have been rendered, and the next thing needed is a qualified, charismatic executive director with a heart for animals, who can participate in this project from the beginning.
Qualified applicants should have strong management experience (preferably in pet rescue), excellent organizational skills, past success with dealing with boards, with strong marketing, public relations, fundraising and grant writing skills. They will be responsible for developing and maintaining sound financial practices seeing that the organization operates within budget guidelines. Most importantly, they must be mission-driven and self-directed, with a positive attitude and a passion and heart for helping animals.
Qualified applicants can send their resume and cover letters to
Columbia Spy 
That's wonderful…
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When did the borough council approve this?
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Does it matter, when they approved it, it was a given they were gonna get it anyway,look who owns the property, they wouldnt say no to him or them!
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Excellent!
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Borough Council did not need to approve it. It is a business that is being built in area that is zoned to allow such a business. (Light Industrial). Council will have to approve storm water management plans, minor variances, and the such, down the line.
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Why does council have to approve this?
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go figure
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Sounds like this will ne a wonderful place for the animals! God Bless the kindhearted!
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Great? another non-profit organization in Columbia to support.
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EXCELLENT! What a fantastic gift given from the hardest working and most successful couple columbia has ever known
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It has nothing to do with who owns the property. The approvals are all project based.
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Are the TAX payers in this town going to benefit from this? I don't think so!!
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Why did they want is here? Donegal is where they should have built it!!
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Thanks to those making this become a reality. This will not only help our furry Columbia residents, but also educate pet owners on responsible care. Sharon Lintner
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If it creates jobs then yes you will!!!
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Yes ! , Columbia also needs a good down town Pet Shop, this town needs more pets and the 10,000 tenants need more education on how to take care of them
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Every other house should have a good Watchdog bulldog
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hell yes you'll benefit. it won't become a vacant eyesore full of rodents, etc. THANK YOU to one of the most generous families of Columbia. Yhank you to the Mc Konly's!
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why don't YOU move to Donegal. Enough with your negativity!
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Yay! Now hopefully Codes will ENFORCE all these ignorant people who insist on feeding stray cats as they keep reproducing….fine them. throw them in jail for a few nights.
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get involved. le this council know that they MUST do something about the almost 900 RENTAL PROPERTIES IN THE BORO…THAT'S PROPERTIES….NOT UNITS. they need tofind a way to remove at least half of them or we all sink.
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I am so happy Columbia will have this!! Such kindhearted people for the animals!
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Is there any more information on this? I'm looking for an opening date and contact for volunteering, donating or surrendering cats? Is there a website or FB page? I can't find any information on this. Thanks.
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There are people that bring cats to the River Park and drop them off this would be a good place to get neutered so we don't have expanding population of cats I know somebody that took too many cats so they would be mistreated on the streets then the borough zoning officer through the Cats Out you can't have more than three or four cats enough I know somebody that had seven those cats were taking WellCare up probably better than some people take care of their better than their kids in town this would be a good place to educate people and help them with their cats I like cats I have to at my shop or at the house when nobody's around the shop nobody likes to talk to me
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Mckonleys have a lot of stuff going on I don't know how Foundation works but it's I think it's self-supporting and also a little help wouldn't hurt that's right get the negativity out of the whole thing let's get her done I'm sure what's a little bit of the whole thing can eliminate in town with neutering and repeating myself
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The cats are there whether people feed them or not. Its the TNR programs that keep the populations down. Like it or not, feral cats have been around forever. They keep the rodent population in check.
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That's wonderful…
LikeLike
When did the borough council approve this?
LikeLike
Does it matter, when they approved it, it was a given they were gonna get it anyway,look who owns the property, they wouldnt say no to him or them!
LikeLike
Excellent!
LikeLike
Borough Council did not need to approve it. It is a business that is being built in area that is zoned to allow such a business. (Light Industrial). Council will have to approve storm water management plans, minor variances, and the such, down the line.
LikeLike
Why does council have to approve this?
LikeLike
go figure
LikeLike
Sounds like this will ne a wonderful place for the animals! God Bless the kindhearted!
LikeLike
Great? another non-profit organization in Columbia to support.
LikeLike
EXCELLENT! What a fantastic gift given from the hardest working and most successful couple columbia has ever known
LikeLike
It has nothing to do with who owns the property. The approvals are all project based.
LikeLike
Are the TAX payers in this town going to benefit from this? I don't think so!!
LikeLike
Why did they want is here? Donegal is where they should have built it!!
LikeLike
Thanks to those making this become a reality. This will not only help our furry Columbia residents, but also educate pet owners on responsible care. Sharon Lintner
LikeLike
If it creates jobs then yes you will!!!
LikeLike
Yes ! , Columbia also needs a good down town Pet Shop, this town needs more pets and the 10,000 tenants need more education on how to take care of them
LikeLike
Every other house should have a good Watchdog bulldog
LikeLike
hell yes you'll benefit. it won't become a vacant eyesore full of rodents, etc. THANK YOU to one of the most generous families of Columbia. Yhank you to the Mc Konly's!
LikeLike
why don't YOU move to Donegal. Enough with your negativity!
LikeLike
Yay! Now hopefully Codes will ENFORCE all these ignorant people who insist on feeding stray cats as they keep reproducing….fine them. throw them in jail for a few nights.
LikeLike
get involved. le this council know that they MUST do something about the almost 900 RENTAL PROPERTIES IN THE BORO…THAT'S PROPERTIES….NOT UNITS. they need tofind a way to remove at least half of them or we all sink.
LikeLike
I am so happy Columbia will have this!! Such kindhearted people for the animals!
LikeLike
Is there any more information on this? I'm looking for an opening date and contact for volunteering, donating or surrendering cats? Is there a website or FB page? I can't find any information on this. Thanks.
LikeLike
There are people that bring cats to the River Park and drop them off this would be a good place to get neutered so we don't have expanding population of cats I know somebody that took too many cats so they would be mistreated on the streets then the borough zoning officer through the Cats Out you can't have more than three or four cats enough I know somebody that had seven those cats were taking WellCare up probably better than some people take care of their better than their kids in town this would be a good place to educate people and help them with their cats I like cats I have to at my shop or at the house when nobody's around the shop nobody likes to talk to me
LikeLike