FAIRHOPE, Ala. — When a cathouse opens in a fairly small community, one might expect it to draw much attention, but in Fairhope the opposite seems to be true. In fact, few have even noticed the new construction going on in broad daylight.

There’s no need to chastise local law enforcement officials, who have been busy with undercover stings in nearby municipalities. In this case, the lack of hoopla is because this “cathouse” is actually an addition to the building housing the Haven, a no-kill animal shelter.

There, cats of all stripes will now be able to mix and mingle in a climate-controlled environment until forever homes are found for the finicky felines.

Michael Graham, director of the Haven, said, “We have limited resources for space. Three years ago, we took a (100-square-foot) space that was used for storage and fenced it in to hold 22 adult cats. We enclosed it with see-through corrugated sheeting and installed a heater.”

The nearly completed project involved removing the original fencing and building concrete block walls to replace them. An outdoor patio cover was extended, and a pet door will enable the cats to go outside where a new fenced enclosure to be built this weekend will give them an additional 144 square feet in which to play.

“We knew eventually it would need to be enclosed from the elements,” Graham said. “We knew we had this wish to expand the cat run, but didn’t want to tax our resources.”

Enter Jill Martin, Fantastic Felines coordinator at the Haven, and Ted Keon, a superintendent with Rogers & Willard Builders. Both have an affinity for cats, and they wanted to do something to help.

Keon said, “I do volunteer work for them. Jill Martin knew I was a general contractor, and she wanted me to take a look at it and see what could be done. With an organization like that, their money is of better use someplace else. When I started calling my subcontractors, I didn’t get any hesitation. We’ve enjoyed doing it.”

Heeding the call for help were several companies that, like Rogers & Willard, donated labor and supplies. They were Sunstone Masonry, which provided masons, labor and concrete; Block USA of Mobile, that supplied block and mortar; and RLF Baldwin and Layco, which brought sand.

A crew will return to seal and paint the walls, as well as add other finishing touches. The cats will be placed in the new outdoor enclosure until the work is done.

“Ted has been helping us out with adoption events and is a real animal lover,” Martin said. She praised Keon and all who helped, adding, “When you can get something done at little or no cost, you’ve got something.”

But, Martin knew there was also a need for two window-type climate control units to fill the new room with ample heating and cooling. So, she and her husband, Paul, dug into their own pockets and purchased one of the $500 units. The Haven is asking for donations to cover the cost of the second, which has already been installed.

She said, “Before, they were at the mercy of the elements. I didn’t mind doing it. They’re doing fine. They’re not cold.”

Martin, who moved to the Eastern Shore in 2003, said she adopted two cats from the Haven, which now keep the couple’s other cat company.

One cat they adopted in 2004 had upper respiratory problems as well as herpes that cost it one eye. She said, “I was afraid no one would want to adopt a one-eyed cat. Referring to her husband, she said the cat has “become the love of his life.”

Martin said there is a need for more cat beds, kitty condos, litter boxes and other items cats typically need for good health and enjoyment. Graham said the Haven also needs a stereo music system to help reduce animal stress, a volunteer who can build an overhead catwalk and litter box enclosures, as well as an artist who would be willing to paint a mural.

The cost of the new cat compound would have cost the Haven more than $10,000, Graham estimated, if it hadn’t been for the kindness shown by the business community. He noted because the city of Fairhope actually owns the building the nonprofit group occupies, it will benefit from the addition when the Haven moves one day to its own facility.

In fiscal 2007, the Haven made possible 242 cat adoptions, but there are many more animals that need to be placed.

“We are very grateful,” Graham said. “We’re proud of the cat run. Our No. 1 goal is to minimize stress, reduce illness and find them good homes. They’re not just a number. I’m really proud of the job the staff and volunteers do, considering the space we have. This addition couldn’t have come at a better time.”