Wayward canines and kitties are getting closer to a new home thanks to the efforts of the Humane Society of McDonough County (HSMC).
The HSMC's Fourth Annual Casino Night, held Saturday at Park Place, raised $50,250 for the Shelter Campaign. Before the 2026 annual fundraiser, the coffers held over $1.1 million in the building campaign fund, and according to HSMC President Bonnie Smith-Skripps, the HSMC building subcommittee is currently working to determine actual costs for the construction.
To donate to the building fund campaign, visit hsmcil. org/building-campaign to give online, Venmo @ HumaneSocietyofMc-DonoughCounty or mail, checks payable to Humane Society of McDonough County (building fund campaign in memo), to P.O. Box 7, Macomb, IL 61455.
Plans for the new shelter include 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 drop-off kennels; a meet-and-greet room; and an all-purpose room for meetings, training and education.
In a guest column, written by Smith-Skripps, that ran last month in The Community News Brief, she explained that while the city had donated land for the new shelter, just east of the current shelter on Tower Road, contractors 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 the group's decision- making about location.
While the acre of land in the car impoundment area had 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.
Site selection continues to be a major decision; however, the exponential increase in the cost of construction continues to push the group's fundraising goal further out.
'We are dedicated to being good stewards of the funds that have been given to us to build the much-needed new shelter,' Smith-Skripps added. 'We have deposited donations in multiple interest-bearing New Shelter Campaign accounts, and the public’s support is appreciated, whether it’s through donations, memorials, attendance at fundraisers or to offer a match challenge to the community. The attendance at this year's Casino Night and the participation in the games reinforced the enthusiasm we perceive from the county's citizens in supporting our efforts to raise the roof on the new animal shelter. The Casino Night committee, the sponsors and the volunteers succeeded in making the event a success.'
