Updated 04/03/2010 07:06 PM
A New Building for Jenna's Animals
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It's a wish that's been three years in the making.
The Beverly Animal Shelter in Waterloo, Seneca County, unveiled its newest addition Saturday afternoon. It wouldn't have been possible without the help of one young, animal lover.
It took three years and more than $107,500. On Saturday, 12-year-old Jenna Montroy’s wish became a reality.
“To have a brand new building, with brand new equipment, brand new supplies, brand new everything, it’s just phenomenal,” said Dallyn Jenkins, owner of the Beverly Animal Shelter.
“We were all extremely touched by Jenna’s choice,” said Jo Cappella of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “We all jumped on board 100 percent, and everybody was so happy to be a part of the process. It was really good for the community.”
Jenna was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer and was granted one wish from Make-a-Wish. Jenna wanted to have the show "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" remodel the Beverly Animal Shelter, a no-kill shelter in Waterloo. When her wish didn't come true, she took the matter into her own hands.
“When a 9-year-old with cancer comes to you and says she wants to give you her wish, my day was made then,” said Jenkins.
“Her wish was that the animal shelter get rebuilt,” said Jenna’s dad Kregg Montroy. “She didn’t give it away. She said I want my animals to have a home.”
The new 1,300 square foot cattery building will allow the shelter to spay and neuter incoming cats, shelter them and help them find a home. It gives the shelter much needed space. The highlight is a room dedicated to one very special cat, a rescue from aftermath of Hurricane Katrina named Doc, who died of cancer.
“Baby Doc was the second cat that I adopted here,” said Jenna Montroy. “I love it!”
Jenna has been in remission for more than two years, and through it all, always cared for every animal that came through the shelter.
“What you see down there is the love of one kid,” said Jenkins. “One kid.”
Beverly Animal Shelter