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The staff at the Bellavista Animal Shelter has always kept a big secret. The news was shared on the Facebook page of the shelter on November 22.

Jenny and Dave Mars of the TV show "Fixer to Fabulous" chose this shelter for renovation. The episode featuring Refuge will be aired on HGTV at 8pm on December 14th.

Nancy Cullins, the interim director of the shelter, said the timing was accidental. Most of the work takes place in the summer, and keeping the project secret means closing the shelter. So during most of the summer, potential adopters are required to make an appointment. Most of them believe that the policy is the result of the new coronavirus, not a secret transformation project.

"This is a very interesting project," Jeanne Mars said. "We want to do something different and be able to give to others."

The couple, the host of the show, adopted a cat from the Bellavista Animal Shelter a few years ago and knew that the organization could use this help. The network must approve the project and want a project that will attract an audience.

"We want a place where we have experience and they are willing to accept," Jeanne Mars said.

She and her husband have just finished the third season of the show and are now building an old house in Rogers that will not appear on TV. Dave Mars said that their TV shows and their own business projects are usually located in Benton County to make it easier to get to work.

Most people who accept the renovation of the show must share the cost of the renovation, not the residence. The show covers all expenses.

"It's impossible for us to spend so much money," Kallins said.

Shelter manager Laurie May explained that although no new space was added for animals, the renovation project improved the existing space. A new entry has been added for a covered porch, the kennels used by animal control officers to house dogs picked up after get off work have been repainted, and wooden doors have been added. Added privacy fence.

May said the change in the indoor kennel gave each dog a little more privacy, which reduced barking.

Offices and cat rooms in the area have also been refurbished.

"They are the best people I have ever met," May said of the TV host.

Kalins confirmed that the shelter will continue to raise funds. There will always be more animals in need of help.

May said that the next big project might be to replace the old shelter that is no longer available with a new building specially built for cats. Keeping cats away from dogs will help both species. The project may also include meeting space for volunteers and employees.

As the new crown pneumonia epidemic has cancelled most of the large-scale fundraising activities, the staff of the shelter have been working hard to make ends meet. Now their biggest needs are OdoBan and bleach for cleaning, as well as non-clumping clay cat litter.

"People are generous," May said. "Some of us are willing to stand up and volunteer."

So far, no viewing party has been arranged for the episode "Fixer to Fabulous", but Kalins does not rule out this. She plans to keep the public informed of the latest news about all shelters through their Facebook page and newsletter.

Print title:'Fixer To Fabulous'

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