T-L Photo/CARRI GRAHAM The Belmont County Animal Rescue League’s new facility off National Road near Belmont is currently housing 60 cats and dogs.

BELMONT — Abandoned animals of the Ohio Valley have a new place to call home — construction is underway on a new facility for a local nonprofit organization.

Thanks to a generous bequest, the Belmont County Animal Rescue League purchased the former Sunset Motel property, located off National Road near Belmont, in September. The facility is being renovated into a space that will house abused and neglected animals, BCARL Vice President Jimmy Leos said.

The new property consists of three areas — a house, a row of motel rooms behind the house and a mobile home situated on the back of the property. The facility will also contain kennels, quarantine spaces, a meet-and-greet room and outdoor play space to meet the animals’ needs.

The separate rooms allow animals of different sizes and temperaments to have separate safe spaces, Leos said. The dogs will occupy the motel rooms, separated by size and temperament, while the cats will reside inside of the main house, he said.

Recently, the nonprofit rescued more than 40 animals — including 30 dogs, five cats, chickens and a goat — following a case of alleged animal neglect at a Fairview home. The rescued animals are now being cared for at the nonprofit’s new facility.

“We were basically forced to open the facility due to the situation,” Leos said.

The new sanctuary is now housing 60 animals in total, he noted. Leos said some of the rescued cats from the hoarding incident have been re-homed, along with the chickens and the goat. However, many more animals are in need of forever homes, he added.

“We are working daily to find the animals homes,” Leos said.

Leos said he hopes to have the renovations complete by “the third quarter of 2020.”

“It is a vital piece of the organization and to the animals,” Leos said of the new facility. “We want to provide the animals with not only care and learning, but also love.”

BCARL is in search of volunteers, fosters and adopters.

“Anyone who has any compassion for animals, please feel free to reach out to us. We are always looking for supplies and donations,” Leos said.

Anyone interested in volunteering, fostering or adopting can call 740-296-644 or email bcarlweb@gmail.com. Those interested in adopting, visit the BCARL website to fill out an application online.