Putnam County needs a new animal shelter.

The current building was never intended to be permanent, it's overcrowded, and the ventilation system is insufficient.

It's not enough, and it hasn't been for a long time.

But by now, anyone who has seen or heard about the current shelter doesn't need convinced of the need.

But with only $100,000 raised of an estimated $500,000 to $800,000 needed, the thing people need convinced of is that this need is great enough to warrant involvement and financial contributions.

The good news about that $100,000 is that it's all come through small donations.

That means lots of individuals have already gotten involved.

We hope many more of these smaller donations will come in the future.

But area businesses should also get involved.

The population of Putnam County has exploded over the last 20 years because of the quality of life here.

Putnam County offers its residents strong suburban communities. The American dream lives here.

And pets are part of that dream.

Pets are part of our families more than ever, and so as the population has risen, so has the population of abandoned pets.

It's sad but true.

Animal shelters are a major part of community infrastructure.

They're a refuge for unwanted animals, and they offer adoption opportunities for both pets and potential pet owners.

Not having a shelter isn't an option for Putnam County, but sustaining the current shelter isn't an option, either.

The need is dire, and it's time for the community to ante up.