When several dogs at the Baypath Humane Society contracted the canine distemper virus in February, Liz Jefferis said it was a sad time at the shelter. But during the month-long closure Jefferis and a slew of volunteers started with one end of the building and began working effortlessly to update the shelter for the animals that inhabit it, and the people who visit it.

“We knew we would have some time while we couldn’t adopt out animals,” Jefferis said. “So we began to make small renovations to help make it a better atmosphere in here.”

Most notable are the new sign hanging on the front wall of the building, a more organized lobby and totally refinished cat room.

“The floor was old and the room was full of crates. We wanted to open it up and make it more accessible,” Jefferis said. "I don't know that any changes had been made in there since the shelter opened."

The group also did work in the kitchen, and Jefferis, who started working at the shelter in October, took over as manager after Sue Bennison’s departure.

The shelter reopened to the public on March 8, and began taking in new dogs for adoption last Thursday. In the past six days Jefferis said the shelter has already taken in ten new dogs.

Plans for the shelter continue in to the future. Jefferis said there is work being done to create a new website, which will feature a webcam of the activity in the newly designed cat room. She also said they are beginning to work in the medical room where new animals are checked and treated for any health issues they may face.

“Everybody has been so supportive and the morale around here is so high right now,” Jefferis said. "We just had to get by and push to get back open."