The Wood County Humane Society (WCHS) will be closing temporarily from mid-March through early May to allow for the installation of new HVAC systems.

This project, which has been in the works for over a year, will involve the installation of three new, individual HVAC systems for the shelter, located at 801 Van Camp Road in Bowling Green.

One system will be for the cat rooms, another will be for the dog kennels, and a third will be for non-animal areas.

The new HVAC systems are expected to significantly reduce exposure to airborne pathogens and to reduce annual utility expenditures by roughly 20 percent.

The existing HVAC system at the shelter is original to the building, dating to the mid-1980s.

It no longer meets the building code and is extremely inefficient, said John Aleksander, building and grounds chair. He also noted that, due to the age of the system, replacement parts are very difficult to locate.

The current renovation project also involves the installation of new duct work throughout the building, new LED lighting fixtures and dimming light switches, new ceiling grid and tile, new electrical panel in garage, emergency lighting, motion sensors, a sound reduction wall above the ceiling in specific areas and a secure roof access ladder on the outside of the building.

During the period of temporary closure, WCHS will be operating from a satellite location and will provide limited services to the community.

Animal intake will be limited, given that the organization will be relying on fosters and adoptions to house animals needing a home.

Other services that will continue to be available during the temporary closure include: responding to calls of animal cruelty, neglect, and abandonment; requests for pet food and community cat food assistance.

Wood County Humane Society is in Bowling Green.