Chicago Animal Care site getting $8.2M makeover

The city says it plans to spend $8.2 million to upgrade its animal care and control facility.

The announcement comes three months after wealthy donor Donald Levin demanded sweeping reforms to the city pound as a condition for his continued support.

Donald Levin is co-founder and board chairman of the Chicago Wolves hockey team, and has donated $2 million toward the renovation of the David R. Lee Animal Center. The rest comes from taxpayers.

His demand came after a Better Government Association investigation into accidental dog deaths. The city inspector general also found that dogs and cats weren't always cleaned and fed properly.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports (http://bit.ly/1kE9m1T ) the improvements will include new cages and plumbing systems, a new roof and new heating, cooling, ventilation and security systems.