The Flathead County Animal Shelter just got a major upgrade…again. Thanks to the generosity and dedication of the nonprofit Flathead Shelter Friends, the shelter’s outdoor play spaces are now fully covered in high-quality synthetic turf. This is the second installment of a project that’s quietly but powerfully changing the daily lives of the animals, and the people, at the shelter.
This isn’t your grandmother’s back yard Astro turf. The eco-friendly, antimicrobial material not only looks great, it helps eliminate odors and reduce the spread of harmful bacteria. But more importantly, it’s improving the physical health and emotional well-being of the dogs who use it every day.
Before the turf, the play yards were nothing but dusty gravel, uninviting and hard on both paws and eyes. The first phase of the project, completed last October, replaced the main yard connected to many of the dog kennels. That installation, made possible through a generous donation of nearly $60,000 from Flathead Shelter Friends, immediately changed the environment.
The second phase, completed just recently, added turf to the northwest yard, bringing the transformation full circle. This latest donation of $36,378 from Flathead Shelter Friends allowed for a complete makeover, and once again they delivered.
Linda Vevera, a member of Shelter Friends, diligently worked to find the right partner for the job. She connected with Brad Mulvey and his team from Idaho-based Synthetic Lawn INW, who brought in a crew of three and spent four days custom-fitting and installing an additional 2618 sq. feet of new lawn. Linda stood in the finished yard, smiling, and said, “I still can’t believe how beautiful this looks.”
But the beauty goes beyond appearances. Shelter staff have noticed immediate changes in the dogs' behavior. “Just yesterday, I learned that Virgil Earp—an adorable Terrier/Pitbull mix—played with a toy in the yard for the very first time,” Linda shared. “It brought tears to my eyes.”
Shelter Director Austin Hicks agrees. “This second turf installment is more than just a cosmetic upgrade; it’s an investment in animal wellness,” he said. “We’ve seen healthier paws, happier dogs, which will hopefully lead to more adoptions, all thanks to the support of Flathead Shelter Friends.”
While donations like these make a visible difference, it’s the daily dedication of the county shelter staff that keeps the place running. Every day, they show up to feed, clean, train, and care for the animals, working to give each one the best chance at a new life.
Flathead Shelter Friends and Flathead County employees share a common goal: to give every animal the environment it needs to thrive, heal, and feel safe, whether that means a clean bowl of food, a gentle hand, or a stretch of green turf to finally play on.