One of a Kind Pet Rescue hosted a “Sneak Peek” Open House for its new 9,000 square foot, state-of-the-art adoption center and retail outlet at 1929 W. Market St. For the past five years, One of a Kind Pets has operated its adoption and retail center out of a retail store front located on one side of a gas station at the intersection of West Market Street and Hawkins Avenue in Akron.
This brand new adoption center replaced the former Fairlawn Bowling Lanes located in West Akron. The old bowling alley was razed and new construction began in the spring of this year.
Lisa Holland Toth, OOAKPR founder, ensured that plans for the new facility allowed for more family-friendly adoption situations, allowing potential adoptee families to spend one-on-one time with a dog or cat at the center before committing to an adoption.
The new expanded retail store carries pet-related gifts, toys and grooming supplies. 100 percent of the retail sales will support the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and will be applied to continued animal rescue efforts.
In addition, there are new attached dog runs, allowing staff to let dogs get exercise without taking them off site. They will also be making grooming services available out of the facility.
In 2009, OOAKP adopted out 953 animals to families in Summit County. These are animals that were abandoned, abused, neglected, orphaned or were unwanted domestic pets rescued by OOAKP. Every animal is given full medical care once it reaches the shelter in preparation for adoption, including spay and neutering.
One of a Kind Pets also runs a successful veterinary clinic located on West Exchange Street near the intersection of Exchange, Hawkins and Market streets. The clinic operates low-cost vaccine clinics on the first Saturday of each month in an effort to reduce animal diseases on the streets.
Every day there are seven to eight times more cats and dogs born than there are human babies, and the numbers easily tell us that there is simply no way for all of these animals to find homes. Many are feral, or will become so as they grow up, and the majority will continue to produce puppies and kittens if left unvetted.
OOAKP provides not only low-cost spay and neuter services, but some completely subsidized when there are funds available. Their goal is to dramatically reduce the number of unwanted cats and dogs simply by reducing the breeding capacity of feral and wild animals. They have spayed and neutered more than 16,000 animals since opening the clinic just 2½ years ago; the clinic is run by a staff of 20 employees plus two dedicated veterinarians.
Image captions: 1) House built for Barkitecture 2009; 2,3) New colors are bright and cheerful; 4) Large cat play area; 5,6,7,8) New cat visitation rooms; 9) New dog visitation rooms; 10) Pup with potential new family; 11) Lisa Holland Toth, Founder of OOAKPR; 13) New attached dog runs; 14) Expanded retail area
