Almost Home Foundation reopens enhanced pet rescue in Schaumburg

Almost Home Foundation and its supporters Thursday celebrated the completion of a $1.5 million upgrade to its pet rescue facility in Schaumburg that took nearly two years longer than anticipated.

The building at 1800 W. Irving Park Road was not only refreshed but saw the expansion of its kennel space and the addition of an on-site pet surgery clinic.

Almost Home President Rosemary McNiff explained the April 2024 closing, intended to last 12 weeks, lasted 26 months. That’s how long the nonprofit depended on volunteers to foster all of its rescued dogs and cats.

Though the agreement with the original contractor was terminated after 18 months, supporters with the right know-how came forward to complete the project.

Schaumburg Mayor Tom Dailly considers the rescue a local asset. Its function is take animals away from the types of shelters that might ultimately euthanize them.

“It’s great to have this in the community as a place for people to go,” he said.

Among the supporters present were Lisa Laskey of Hoffman Estates, whose long-haired Chihuahua Frannie is a social-media sensation for her nearly daily greetings of postman Dan Larsen — both of whom were also there. Their “Frannienation” memorabilia has raised money for Almost Home.

“We needed to find something we could pay it forward to,” Laskey said. “This whole place is volunteer-led. It’s a true rescue. Everything you hear about them we fell in love with.”

Though the project required five years of fundraising, it also generated funds to reduce some future costs. The on-site surgery clinic hopes to cut down on the $320,000 per year that’s been spent on outsourced procedures.

The extra space at the back of the building increases the capacity for dogs from nine to 30, Canine Director Jackie Capps said.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the end of the building project, but some work remains for the fencing of the yard. The animals are expected to return in about three weeks, McNiff said.