POTSDAM -- Atlantic Testing Laboratories will contribute up to $5,000 in testing services for the new Potsdam Humane Society animal shelter being built on Madrid Avenue.

Marijean B. Remington, Atlantic Testing President/CEO, has informed the Humane Society that her company is making the contribution to help with the $1.1 million project.

Huimane Society Board President Bonnie Boyd said she “gives a heartfelt public thank you to Ms. Remington and all the people at Atlantic Testing Laboratories for a gift that will help the project in a huge way.”

Boyd said that with a big push in the spring from Dr. Michael and Mrs. Barbara Maresca and their “Maresca Challenge,” construction on the much needed renovated and enlarged animal shelter was able to begin this year.

“Half of the $1.1 million project is ‘in the bank’ ready to pay construction costs,” Boyd said.

“The entire North Country, not just Potsdam, has made the building of the new facility a reality.”

While located with the village of Potsdam, the Potsdam Humane Society serves most of St. Lawrence County.

Operating funds will, in 2011, include a $440,000 mortgage from a USDA loan, which will have payments of approximately $2,000 per month, Boyd says.

“We are all funded in the project, but some of that funding was a loan, and loans have to be repaid,” says Anne Smith, PHS shelter director “This all translates in to the Potsdam Humane Society needing more funds than ever to operate the new facility.”

In planning for the future, the PHS will accept more town contracts for services.

PHS now contracts with 10 towns -- Colton, Pierrepont, Parishville, Hopkinton, Lawrenceville, Stockholm, Norfolk, Lisbon, Clifton, and Potsdam – and with the villages of Potsdam and Norwood, and would like to add three new ones, Canton, Madrid and Waddington, close neighbors many of whose residents already use the shelter every day. The society also says many people living in other towns also frequently use the services.

“PHS again thanks Atlantic Testing and everyone who has given $1 to $120,000 to help care for the animals of the North Country,” says Cindy Dusharm, board member in charge of the handwritten thank you notes. “Unfortunately, generous donations will always be needed.”

For more information, call Board President Bonnie Boyd at 353-2847 or the shelter at 265-3199.