A walk through Putnam County's aging animal shelter is like walking through a relic of the Reagan administration.
For good reason - that's when it was built.
The metal prefab structure originally was intended to be used for just a few years, according to Putnam County Chief Humane Officer John Davis.
That was 25 years ago, he added.
Today, rust and wear have taken their toll on an outdated structure many consider to be an embarrassment to Putnam County.
Staff and volunteers have struggled to maintain and run the shelter on a miniscule budget, and some work has been done to improve the grounds, mostly with donations.
But the building's condition has reached the point where some doubt it is worth repairing.
One big problem is the roof. "We've had several leaks. We just keep patching it up," said Davis.
Holes and patches of rust are visible in the main kennel area. Insulation hangs loose over dogs' housing; in some places, duct tape has been used to hold it up.
The back of the building, in particular, shows the cumulative effects of water damage. Paneling has torn loose from walls, and the area has a damp, clammy feel. Ventilation is poor, the lighting dim.
Living conditions aside, the building is simply not large enough to meet the animal-control needs of a fast-growing population. The county outgrew the shelter long ago.
"We suffer from a lack of space during peak season," Davis said.
Puppies are kept in a room the size of a utility closet. The lack of kennels and runs means dogs have to be euthanized to make room for new impounded animals.
"We can hold about 35 dogs if we crowd them two to a run," Davis said.
Likewise, all the cats have to be crammed into one room.
Overcrowding increases the risk of contagious disease. Fighting the spread of disease is a problem for all animal shelters, and the Putnam shelter has been no exception.
Donna Clark, director of the Kanawha/Charleston Humane Association Shelter, said there was a significant reduction in outbreaks of sickness when Kanawha County moved its shelter into new, bigger facilities a few years ago.
"Disease is not spread as easily when the runs and cages aren't all crowded together," Clark said.
The cramped front office at the Putnam shelter serves as the receiving area, and it is also where paperwork must be handled for adoptions. The area is frequently congested with foot traffic.
Other than the front, there is no place set aside for families to meet and get to know a prospective pet - a vital step in the adoption process.
These are some of the reasons that volunteers started the Putnam Animal Relief Center Fund and began working to raise money for a new shelter.
According to Lisa Herdman, office manager at the Putnam Animal Relief Center (the county shelter's official name), plans are for the new facility to have 75 dog runs - three times the current number.
"Plus, we'll have two rooms for cats and another room for puppies and kittens," Herdman said.
By way of comparison, the new shelter would have 50 cat cages, compared to the current 15.
A 14-acre site of land has been secured for the shelter on W.Va. 62, just across the Winfield Bridge heading toward Red House Hill.
In addition to housing homeless pets, the new 10,000-square-foot shelter will have areas for laundry, food preparation, grooming and offices. A special play area will provide space for people to meet an animal they are considering adopting.
Estimates put the price to build the new facility as being from $500,000 to $800,000. About $100,000 has been raised so far, according to volunteers.