Daily Herald opinion: Impressive, meaningful generosity: Support for DuPage animal shelter expansion will benefit the county

DuPage County Animal Services plays an invaluable role as the county’s only public animal shelter and control agency.

The facility in Wheaton provides a safety net for injured, neglected, abandoned and homeless animals in the community and strives to give them a second chance.

However, the 1970s-era building that housed the shelter for decades had chronic overcrowding and sorely needed an update.

So, after years of planning and fundraising, county officials pursued an approximately $13.5 million project to expand and renovate the facility along Manchester Road.

It was the first significant expansion of the shelter in its 48-year history.

This month, officials hosted a public opening celebration for the newly expanded building, which has roughly doubled in size.

DuPage County Board Chair Deborah Conroy said the shelter now has more space, is more welcoming, and is better equipped to support its staff and volunteers.

“This expansion creates new opportunities for adoption events, public education and community engagement,” Conroy said. “It gives our team the space and tools they need to care for animals with dignity and compassion.”

According to the county, the project consisted of 4,340 square feet of renovations, 11,486 square feet of added enclosed areas, plus a 2,217 square-foot covered patio for outdoor training and events, along with other contained outdoor exercise and play areas.

In a story published June 14, senior writer Katlyn Smith wrote about how adoptable cats are front and center near an airy new lobby. A gym room allows outgoing felines to roam outside of their cages. Meanwhile, a detached “real-life room” simulates the comforts of home while giving dogs a break from kennels and reducing stress.

A new multipurpose room can be used in a variety of ways, including educational programs and adoption events for rescue groups.

In addition, the original building was gutted and transformed into a new state-of-the-art medical suite.

The building project is the latest positive step for the shelter.

Changes in policy and management improved how the facility operates and helped save more animals. As a result, the live-release rate has noticeably improved over the last decade to 94% in 2024.

We applaud the effort that went into ensuring that Animal Services now has a building worthy of its mission. The fundraising was especially impressive.

Money for the project came from a combination of public and private sources. DuPage Animal Friends, a nonprofit benefiting the shelter, has helped secure roughly $5.8 million for the project and is working to raise millions of dollars more.

It’s inspiring to see the generosity of the private donors who helped make the expansion possible, and we hope that support continues.