READY FOR FELINE FRIENDS. Bob's House for Dogs, a nonprofit located in Eleva, has been serving area dogs since 2010 in a kennel-free, home-like environment. Now, it's ready to expand. (Submitted renderings, cat room pictured)

Bob’s House for Dogs has changed the lives of more than 700 of man’s best friends since opening its doors in 2010, and now the local nonprofit is taking its next step.

The group’s dream of expansion has been fleshed out for years through a project called Unleash a Legacy, but plans for its new location were developed and finalized over the past 18 months. Bob’s current building is tired, and its 1,200 square feet simply don’t offer enough space for the team to provide the best possible care for their residents.

Bob’s House for Dogs is different than most shelters because it is a kennel-free environment (although there are several kennels available for those still potty training, for meal time, etc.) and provides all dogs in its care with medical care and medications, grooming, socialization, and more. It is funded by founders Amy and Travis Quella alongside grants, fundraisers, and private donations.

“The reality is that a new building with more space will allow us to help more dogs. We aren’t going to have to decline dogs on our waiting list,” said Amy Quella, co-founder and executive director of Bob’s House for Dogs.

The new facility will not only make it easier to care for more dogs, but it will also offer a whole new space for cats!

The new building will be over 3,000 square feet – more than doubling its current size – located on 40 acres of land just 1.7 miles west of the current location on County Road HH in Eleva.

The decision to include cats was made after Bob’s House released a survey to the rescues and shelters it works with asking them where they could be of more help. The response was unanimous: additional help with senior cats.

The stress of a typical shelter environment can cause health issues and overstimulation can make a cat shut down, making them less adoptable. Because Bob’s House provides a kennel-free, home-like environment more suited to their needs, they hope to make senior cats more adoptable.

Rendering of the planned new building.

Rendering for potential dog room.

The new building will be more than 3,000 square feet – more than doubling its current size – located on 40 acres of land just 1.7 miles west of the current location on County Road HH in Eleva.

The facility will maintain a home-like feeling, having all the comforts a house should have. There will be two wings – one for cats and one for dogs – and a place in between for newcomers to decompress and transition. Outside there will be multiple fenced-in areas to give the dogs plenty of space to run and play. The yard will also feature a “catio” for the feline residents, allowing them to soak in the sun and watch the birds in the warmer months.

The groundbreaking is planned for next April, but that timeline depends on the nonprofit’s ability to raise funds. The project’s official fundraiser was launched on Sept. 21 with a goal of  $1.8 million.

Donate to and learn more about the Unleash a Legacy project online. Keep up with Bob’s House for Dogs on Facebook. The nonprofit is located at E3015 County Rd HH, Eleva, Wisconsin.