SALEM — A few lucky dogs are getting new digs at the Salem Animal Rescue League (SARL).

The Project Pawsitive Foundation and its sponsor Pet Life Stores are teaming up to give the shelter an extreme makeover this weekend.

“Close to 1,000 animals a year pass through our doors so you can imagine the wear and tear that takes place,” said Patricia Mack, manager of development and media relations at SARL. “Improvements were needed to make a safe and pleasant place for the animals and the staff.”

Workers are shoring up the foundations of two buildings, Judy's Kitty City and Bernard's, which houses offices for development and adoption staff and the community room. New vinyl flooring is being installed in both buildings.

Animals transferred from other states spend about 48 hours isolated from other animals. During that time they're kept in a section of Bernard's separated from the offices by a curtain.

“The only space we have left is in the administration area,” Mack said. “As you can imagine, it gets really loud.”

As part of the renovation, the isolation area will be framed and soundproofed.

“That's a major thing that will add to the quality of the workplace for us,” Mack said.

New air conditioning and air purification is being installed in Judy's Kitty City.

Project Pawsitive also built a 20-by-20-foot fenced area where adoptees can get acquainted with their potential new families.

Workers seemed pleased to put in a little extra effort for their four-legged friends.

“I've had five dogs and every dog I've ever gotten has been a hand-me-down dog,” said Mike Champey. “I've never named my own dog.”

All of SARL's funding is put toward programs for the animals, making facility maintenance difficult. Receiving an unsolicited email from the Project Pawsitive Foundation was a blessing to SARL president Martha Adamovich.

“It was one of those things that fell from above, totally unexpected, and it affirms that there is a god,” Adamovich said.

About $12,000 was raised for the renovation by selling plastic bracelets at Pet Life Stores. Pet Life also secured matching donations from its sponsoring vendors.

The project got a boost on the Day of Caring coordinated by the United Way. Volunteers from Liberty Utilities and Enterprise Bank scraped, patched, and painted to prepare for the Project Pawsitive Foundation crew.

“This whole thing is an effort of love from so many organizations,” Mack said.

The Project Pawsitive Foundation helps four to five shelters each year.

“Since 2009, the mission of the Project Pawsitive Foundation has been to help keep well-run rescues and shelters open and saving animals in need,” said Jill Sullivan Grueter, team leader of the Project Pawsitive Foundation.

jhanson@newstote.com