A Long and Winding Road... Bumps, Curves, Twists & Turns: The Journey Toward a New Animal Shelter
Where the Road Began In 2017, McDonough County and the Humane Society of McDonough County (HSMC) each received a directed estate bequest of $59,378, for a total of $118,755, from Richard Yeast of St. Charles MO. The money was to be used for capital improvements at the current McDonough County Animal Shelter or for a new shelter. The County Board and the HSMC worked together to draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that documented our agreement to ensure a continued working partnership related to efforts to build and utilize a new shelter.
Through the MOU, the HSMC was the responsible party for all fundraising for construction of a new shelter as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization so that all donations could be tax deductible, while the County Board would continue to have administrative oversight.
Shelter staff, the County Board and Humane Society representatives then developed plans for a new shelter to house the same number of cats and dogs as the current shelter, while addressing the deficits of the current shelter.
These included the need for cat rooms; dog kennels with outdoor runs; isolation areas for quarantine and control of disease spread; a utility room; adequate office space, storage and parking; a vet/ exam space; attached dropoff kennels; a meet-and-greet room; and an all-purpose room for meetings, training and education. Working together, the entities involved agreed these were components needed for an efficient and effective infrastructure that will provide a safe and healthy environment for the animals, public, staff, and volunteers.
While building committee members have changed over the years, this design framework has remained fairly consistent since its inception, with a few tweaks related to what we have researched and learned from other shelters.
Since this time, we searched for a building site or possible renovation of an existing building. This included work with lawyers and with architects in our exploration.
A Fork – and a Bump – in the Road Last year, we had discussions with Mayor Mike Inman and McDonough County Board Chair Eric Blakeley regarding use of the car impoundment area, just east of the current shelter for the new shelter. The lot was offered to HSMC to build the new shelter, with the caveat that the HSMC pay for moving the electronic gate and fence around the lot at a projected cost was $20,500.
Now, however, contractors have recently voiced concerns about the soil quality and the need for a deep soil boring as the site was a former landfill. The expense of this, along with the cost of moving the impoundment lot fence, are critical in our decision-making about location.
Now, the fork, and the rather big bump, in the road is site selection. The acre of land in the car impoundment area has been the assumed site of choice; however, due to the possibility of issues with soil quality, the animal shelter building committee is actively pursuing other less problematic and costly possibilities. Ideally, the site will be away from residential areas, have access to city water, not take major site development work, be accessible to the public, and provide plenty of opportunity for volunteer dog walking. Minimally 1.5-2 acres is necessary.
The building committee has a diverse range of expertise, from architects to business owners, to a veterinarian, shelter staff, and a heating and cooling professional. Committee members continue to spend a considerable amount of time researching best practices, and speaking with staff from other shelters, along with touring shelters.
The shelter will be a facility that serves our community well for decades to come.
The committee is invested in ensuring its durability and to it being a welcoming place for potential adopters, volunteers, and those seeking assistance in being good pet caretakers While site selection continues to be a major decision, the exponential increase in the cost of construction continues to push our fundraising goal further out. In 2019, we were given ballpark estimates of $1.5 million. We now know that costs will far exceed this amount. We are exploring building contractor options to ensure quality as well as affordability, and we still hope to break ground this coming year.
In 2025, under the County Board leadership of Ken Durkin, chair of the County Board's Human Resources and Planning Committee) and Chair Blakeley, a new approved MOU was drafted between the County Board and HSMC. In it, HSMC will own the shelter and will lease it to the county for 99 years, with all administrative expenses for running the shelter will continue to be paid by the county.
Continuing to Drive Forward: The New Shelter Campaign We currently have over $1.1 million in the building campaign coffers. In all probability, we will need at least twice the amount to complete the new shelter.
We hope more funding is generated, as well as support from local contractors and suppliers once we break ground. We welcome offers of assistance.
We are dedicated to being good stewards of the funds that have been given to us to build the much-needed new shelter. We have deposited donations in multiple interest-bearing New Shelter Campaign accounts, The public’s support is appreciated, whether it’s through donations, memorials, attendance at fundraisers or to offer a match challenge to the community.
Our campaign kicked off in Spring 2021 when Bob and Donna Quesal offered a Susie Q, Jesse, and Maggie May Tribute Challenge $10,000 match in honor of their deceased dogs, adopted from the McDonough County Animal Shelter.
Since that time, we have had a number of fundraisers, including Casino Night, Wine Sellers’ Play it Forward, Dr, Karen Blakeley’s Have a Heart Build a Dream Campaign, and two $10,000 match campaigns by former Macomb resident Gloria (Caldwell) Vankan and her husband: the first for their parents, Ernest and Helen Caldwell, and the current match running through February in Memory of Spanky and to celebrate all dogs and cats adopted from the shelter (see sidebar).
So, how can you help us finalize our journey toward an actual new facility for needy animals, one that will be a valued community center? Donate services and funds; share site ideas; spread the word about our needs; and attend this year’s Casino Night on March 7.
New Animal Shelter Building Committee: Eric Blakeley, Karen Blakeley, Ken Durkin, Loren Dimmitt, Terri Hare, Sharon Lindahl, Ted Renner, Bonnie Smith-Skripps, Jen Tibbitts, Brian Waller, Kathy Waters and Zack Welch.
Donate
To donate to the Building Fund Campaign, visit hsmcil.org/buildingcampaign to give online, visit tinyurl.com/VankanChallenge or mail, checks payable to Humane Society of McDonough County (Building Fund Campaign in memo), to P.O. Box 7, Macomb, IL 61455.
