RIDGWAY – Second Chance Humane Society received approval for its Special Use Permit from the Ouray Board of County Commissioners on Monday, Aug. 29.

In a continuation of an earlier, at times contentious, public hearing on the animal shelter’s move to Angel Ridge Ranch, commissioners refined the conditions of the SUP and then voted unanimously to approve, according to Chair Heidi Albritton.

Last week neighbors had told the commissioners they feared for their peace and quiet, and for their property values, should Second Chance move its stray dogs and cats to the 52-acre property at the corner of Hwy 550 and County Road 10.

But in the end, Albritton reported, “Fundamentally, we all felt really good about their application. They did an excellent job presenting what they’d do to mitigate neighbors’ concerns. We felt really good about approving it.” She said commissioners had each received numerous emails and phone calls since the previous meeting, “all in support except one.”

Albritton mentioned some small changes to the near-record list of 25 conditions recommended by county staff, but said, “Basically, nothing substantive changed.”

She reiterated that the SUP has a two-year lifespan. “If it turns out Second Chance is not living up to their SUP, we can revisit it in two years.”

Meanwhile, Second Chance executive director Kelly Goodin reported good news on the fundraising front. “Having met the $30,000 matching donation provided by the Nutmeg Challenge just this week, Second Chance has had the stakes raised by an anonymous foundation that has increased the matching contribution by $10,000,” she wrote in a release. “Now at $40,000 and with an expiration of September 30, Second Chance must raise an additional $10,000 to reap the dollar for dollar match presented by the latest challenge.

“Progress on the purchase of Angel Ridge has been steady,” Goodin said. “With the momentum we've built so far, we're very confident that Angel Ridge is a win-win location for us and for the community. The increase to the Nutmeg Challenge demonstrates again the strong support we've received and legitimizes Angel Ridge as the ideal location for us.”

To learn more about Second Chance, visit the website at www.adoptmountainpets.org or call 970/626-2273.