NATCHEZ — After Saturday, animal lovers will have to go a little further down Liberty Road to find the Natchez-Adams County Humane Shelter, but the extra time will be worth the trip.

On Saturday the humane society will open the doors of its new shelter, which took approximately 12 years and an estimated $1.5 million to build.

Humane society president Kathy Fitch said the new shelter would help the organization take better care of the animals.

“We’ve worked in dismal conditions for a long time because we wanted to take care of these animals,” Fitch said.

The new shelter is approximately 6,510 square feet. It’s a step up from the old shelter, which is approximately 800 square feet.

“The old shelter is just worn out,” humane society vice president Sue Stedman said. “It is at the end of its useful life.”

Fitch said one of the effects of the lack of space was that cats and dogs had to share the same area.

“Now we’ve got this beautiful building with the cats having their separate quarters,” Fitch said.

Cats have their own rooms, including a room with toys where they can socialize and smaller kennels for some private time. Even the food can be prepared separately now, Fitch said.

“It’s going to be so much more clean and easier for our employees to take care of our animals,” Fitch said.

And, with more room, Fitch hopes to expand the volunteer program too.

But the shelter has more to offer. The shelter also has new washers, dryers, quiet areas for dogs with puppies and kennels.

Large dog kennels were installed with indoor and outdoor sections, allowing dogs to stretch their legs and shelter employees to clean one portion of the kennel at a time instead of cleaning around the dogs, like is required at the current shelter.

“We’re looking forward to a much better environment for our employees, animals, our adopters and volunteers,” Fitch said.

Stedman said kennels can be sponsored by donors, $1,400 for dogs and $530 for cats.

In return for the donation, a plaque will be put on the kennel with the name of the person or pet to whom the kennel is dedicated.

The first animals will be moved in from the old shelter at 9 a.m. Saturday, escorted by volunteers and anyone who wants to help. Even if the people outnumber the animals, Fitch still encouraged people to join the parade.

Afterward, a brief dedication ceremony will officially open the building.

The shelter will stay open to the public until noon, and then the shelter will close so the society can continue to move animals and equipment into the shelter.

Fitch said it’s been an amazing journey and the new shelter is a big step for the local humane society.

“I think it’s going to be one of the highlights of my whole time at the humane society,” Fitch said.

The new shelter is located at 475 Liberty Road in Natchez. Anyone interested in escorting animals should arrive at the old shelter, 392 Liberty Road, prior to 9 a.m. Saturday.