The Nanton and District Animal Protection Society (NAPS) is hoping to move their cats, waiting for forever homes, into a new shelter, sooner rather than later.

Kim Williamson says they're grateful for the current location, it is however missing a few key things like insulation and running water.

"Earlier this year we put a deposit down on an 11-hundred square foot old school portable," said Williamson. "I think it was built in the eighties, but it is in pretty good condition."

And the Nanton Vet Clinic parceled off a bit of land for the building to be put on and both purchases came to just under $60,000 which took the society five years to raise.

"Fundraising moving forward is being focused on preparing the land for the building and the renovations that will go on inside to make it more suitable for our needs."

They need to add a bathroom and a laundry room, make all the surfaces nonporous and give it a paint job.

The group also needs to build a small garage type building for dogs.

There will also be dog and cat runs and a memorial garden where people can purchase a tree or plant for pets who have passed away.

"We are just going through all the red tape and permits and applications processes to get things moving forward," said Williamson.

However, once they have all the permits, they're in need of more money before they can move forward.

The budget for the remaining work is set at $100,000.

The building they're in now was donated to the society at a very low rent and they're grateful for the role it's played, but with no insulation or running water it's time to move.

"In the winter months the water bowls freeze over, and we can't mop the floors because it turns into a skating rink."

It is hard to keep cool in the summer, with wood paneling and plywood floors, if a disease was to break out it would be hard to get under control.

"We have no running water so volunteers cart it in, in little milk jugs by the dozen, every other day."

They have to heat kettles of water for cleaning and there are no washrooms on site for volunteers or visitors.

And she says the building looks like a shack.

"It doesn't look very nice or appealing to people who show up to adopt. We don't look very legitimate," said Williamson.

The building committee has been working hard for five years to make this project happen.

They have started a go-fund-me page and are hopeful some community support will step up.

"Now that we have some land, which was a huge hurdle, and we've got a building, it feels like we're making some progress, we just have this last little stretch to go where we need some help."