WOODSFIELD — The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office held its second open house for the Monroe County Dog Pound earlier this month to show the public the new upgrades to the facility.

The sheriff’s office posted on Facebook: “Over the past several years since the Sheriff’s Office took over, we have done multiple upgrades to the facility along with the grounds.”

Within the past month, the sheriff’s office has poured a concrete pad in the outdoor area for the dogs.

Sheriff Charles Black Jr. said that the Crossed Paws rescue organization raised donations to build a pavilion outside of the pound on the new concrete slab. Swiss Hills Career Center construction trade class built the pavilion.

Previously, the sheriff’s office also made repairs to the road leading to the pound and installed new drain lines. It also had a new heating and air conditioning system installed.

The office also installed a new metal roof along with new doors on the facility and a fresh coat of exterior paint.

The sheriff’s office also poured a large concrete pad and sidewalk from the side door to the entry door. And it extended the parking lot and replaced the sod with stone.

“During the open house, Kara Dixon brought in her two children, Lainey and Holden, who asked for dog pound donations instead of birthday presents. This is the second year that they asked for donations instead of birthday presents for the dog pound. A big thanks to these two for sacrificing their birthday presents for the dog pound. We want to thank everyone who came out to see us and everyone that made donations,” Black said.

The Monore County Dog Pound is located at 47137 State Route 26, Woodsfield. For more information, visit the pound’s Facebook page or call the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office at 740-472-1612. The sheriff’s office updates the Facebook page frequently and posts photos of all dogs that are sent to the pound.

Donations for the dog pound can be dropped off at the sheriff’s office at 47129 Moore Ridge Road, Woodsfield.

Crossed Paws Animal Shelter in Woodsfield also hosted an open house to show the public the new upgrades to that facility.

According to its Facebook page, the animal shelter recently created a new fenced-in “green space” for dogs with benches and a lean-to, new inside kennels, new storage space, new lighting and now has county water.

Both open houses featured food, coffee and door prizes.

Crossed Paws Animal Shelter is located at 41383 Stonehouse Road, Woodsfield. The shelter can be reached at 740-934-2693 or by sending an email to cpas43793@hotmail.com, and more information can be found on its Facebook page or website at cpas.rescuegroups.org. Hours are by appointment only.

The shelter accepts donations through Paypal, Venmo, cash and checks.