Humane society halfway to capital fundraising goal
The West Suburban Humane Society has received more than $2 million in pledges toward a $4 million capital campaign goal to build a new shelter in Downers Grove.
The campaign is designed to put the society in a better position to house animals with ample room to play, roam and receive private medical services, along with the opportunity for families to use private space to interact with animals and engage in confidential conversations with staff and volunteers.
The added area will provide more room for the growing humane education program for youths and teenagers, as well as ongoing staff training.
"We have been operating under inadequate conditions for far too long and the time has come to embark on this much-needed campaign," said Jennifer Bahlmann, humane society board president.
"Our goal is to build a responsible and efficient shelter that provides dignity and safety for the animals, all while designing a special place that will attract more visitors for adoption and public education."
Co-chairs Colette Loesher and Roy Thygesen are leading the campaign. Loesher, a Wood Dale resident, serves as senior vice president and regional manager at Old Second National Bank. Thygesen, a resident of Downers Grove, serves as northern Illinois market chairman at Busey Bank.
Located on Ogden Avenue, several blocks east of Belmont Road, the new 8,30-square-foot-facility will be built adjacent the current shelter on land the organization already owns. Groundbreaking is slated for late spring/early summer 2019.
Founded in 1972 as a lost and found referral service, the volunteer-based humane society at 1901 West Ogden Ave. is dedicated to operating an animal shelter to find safe, permanent, compatible homes through the adoption of domestic cats and dogs.
Servicing the six counties of DuPage, Will, Cook, Kane, Kendall, Lake and McHenry, society members believe in educating the community on humane and responsible dog and cat care as a means of ending the unnecessary euthanasia of adoptable companion animals, as well as controlling pet overpopulation by spaying and neutering all animals in their care and encouraging pet owners to do the same.