By Brady Reeves
Dogs splashed in a small pool, climbed over obstacles and explored new play areas Tuesday as Cedar Bend Humane Society celebrated the opening of its new Outreach and Education Center in Waterloo.
The new facility, located at 3225 Airport Blvd., was unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by an open house attended by Grow Cedar Valley Ambassadors. The center sits about 2 miles from the existing Cedar Bend’s adoption center at 1166 W. Airline Highway and expands the organization’s efforts to serve both animals and pet owners throughout the Cedar Valley.
The event brought staff, volunteers, community members, local leaders, animal lovers and plenty of dogs into the new space. Visitors toured the facility, picked up information about the growing outreach programs and cooled off with ice-cold energy drinks from Sip and Squeeze beverage company, while pet owners and several shelter dogs explored the indoor and outdoor amenities.
The open house featured activities for pets and their owners, including a build-your-own treat bag station with treats and toys, and paint-by-numbers pet portrait kits. Guests also visited informational booths, enjoyed snacks and gathered outside as food was grilled for the celebration.
While the Cedar Bend Humane Society is primarily known for animal sheltering and adoption, Executive Director Kristy Gardner said the organization’s work has grown beyond finding homes for furry friends.
“We’ve always been here to help animals, but helping animals also means helping the people who care for them,” Gardner said.
That philosophy is at the heart of the new Outreach and Education Center, which will serve as a hub for programming, community events, low-cost wellness and vaccination clinics, dog training, birthday parties, cat yoga with shelter cats and other services designed to support responsible pet ownership.
“Our job is not only to hold the strays of Waterloo and Cedar Falls, but it is also to reduce intake,” Gardner said.
She said the center can help bridge gaps for pet owners who may be struggling financially. If a family is considering surrendering a pet because of economic challenges, programs such as low-cost clinics, pet food assistance, affordable supplies and education may help keep that animal in its home.
In addition to three dedicated indoor and outdoor play areas, the facility includes several flexible-use rooms that can support programming, events and community services. The space is also equipped with amenities such as a self-service grooming station and a thrift store for gently used pet supplies.
Visitors at the open house said they were excited to have somewhere to turn during hot summer days, cold winter months or bad weather, giving dogs and their owners a place to stay active, social and connected year-round.
According to Cedar Bend materials shared at the event, the organization’s recent work has included emergency care for 907 homeless pets, 2,533 animals entering the shelter, low-cost wellness care for 1,906 pets and Paws Pantry support for 1,148 families over a nine-month period.
For some who attended Tuesday’s event, the celebration was not only about a new building. It was also a chance to celebrate the animals in their lives and the organization that helped bring them together.
Kim Huff, a former Cedar Bend board member, attended with Shiloh, a Great Pyrenees, whose story captured community attention after repeated sightings when he could not be caught. Shiloh was eventually found in critical condition and taken in by Cedar Bend Humane Society staff. He survived cancer, an amputation and extensive medical treatment.
Huff said Shiloh shows what the shelter’s work can make possible.
“He’s a representation of what the shelter can do,” Huff said. “They could have given up on him and they didn’t. They took good care of him. They got him treated, they gave him medication, and now he has a full life, and he brings us a ton of joy.”
Shiloh’s recovery and life after the shelter continue to be shared through his dedicated Facebook page, Shiloh’s Second Chance: https://www.facebook.com/p/Shilohs-Second-Chance-100064806310156/
Cedar Bend cares for approximately 4,000 animals each year through its shelter operations, foster network and partnerships with local animal control agencies. The organization works closely with Cedar Falls and Waterloo animal control departments and provides a variety of services, including low-cost spay and neuter programs, pet food assistance, community cat initiatives and vaccination clinics.
The expansion comes as animal welfare organizations continue to seek ways to support pets and their owners before animals enter the shelter system. Cedar Bend leaders say providing education, wellness resources and support programs can strengthen the bond between pets and their owners while reducing barriers that may otherwise lead families to surrender animals.
Community members who want to support Cedar Bend can view the organization’s wish list at https://www.cedarbendhumane.org/wishlist. Current needs include cleaning supplies, cat litter, cat food, cat carriers, enrichment items, foster kitten supplies, medical supplies, office supplies and maintenance items.
Updates about upcoming events, low-cost clinics and programs at the Outreach and Education Center can be found on Cedar Bend’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573265133685.
For Gardner, the humane society’s executive director, the opening represents an investment in the long-term well-being of pets and families across the Cedar Valley.
“Our goal is to be a resource for the community,” Gardner said. “The more support and education we can provide, the better outcomes we’ll have for both pets and the people who love them.”