Last month was a big month for the Humane Society of McDonough County (HSMC) when they purchased the former Prairieland buildings and property at 2000 W. Jackson St. for $499,745 for the new county animal shelter. And this month … another exciting turn of events recently occurred: on Friday, the HSMC received a $100,000 donation from an anonymous benefactor for the HSMC Building Fund.
The existing buildings at the new site, a timber-frame, two-story barn and retail/ office spaces, will be retrofitted, into a new shelter, and now there's an additional $100k in the coffers to help with those renovations. The HSMC Building Fund had $1.24 million in the bank prior to the purchase of the West Jackson Street Property.
The anonymous donors wrote: 'In honor of the great leadership of president of the Humane Society of McDonough County Bonnie Smith-Skripps, HSMC board members, animal control staff, generous veterinarians, all volunteers who have helped and/or are currently helping the animals hands-on while at animal control, and all donors to the new Building Fund Campaign so far, we are thrilled and blessed to be able to make this donation to that fund.
'Your patience and persistence have enabled you to acquire the perfect setting that will become the new shelter. Our donation will help with the renovations needed in order to get the new shelter building up and running,' they shared. 'Like you, we have worked in the animal welfare arena for many years and know how hard, but truly rewarding, it can be. As odd as it seems, getting hot, sweaty. and dirty while making needy companion animals healthy and happy and finding them great homes is fun, even though it can be very stressful at times.'
The donors noted that the hard work, kindness, goodwill and generosity have already helped change the lives of many animals, even while working in the small physical location in which the current shelter exists.
'You are magnificent human beings who have been truly instrumental in creating a wonderful organization that is sure to make this world a better place for untold numbers of dogs and cats for many years to come,' they added. 'Your virtuous deeds are sure to outlive you. Because of your efforts, and your many donations, those animals are no longer stranded in Forgottonia.'
When she received the email notification of this generous donation from afar, Smith-Skripps said she was 'both thrilled and inspired.
'The fact that I received the email on my birthday made for an even greater special impact. As I read the message, I had tears running down my face. The donation means so much, both monetarily and in its recognition of what it means to have come this far, and to now have a site for the new animal shelter,' she shared. 'We have so appreciated all of the donations and support we have received from the community and our supporters. We can't thank our most recent donor enough, as well as those many caring individuals who have believed in this cause over the years.'
According to Smith-Skripps, the HSMC's initial work will include renovating the barn for the dog housing area and the retail building (now Munson's Pool Supplies) for the reception/office area, as well as cat housing. The humane society will continue to work with its volunteer advisors to adapt their plans to this specific site. These plans include a more enriching environment for the animals and enhanced safety for employees and volunteers, all while maximizing efficiency, she explained.
The HSMC has been raising funds for a new shelter for the last six years. The plan is to renovate this site in stages, while continuing to seek additional funding to upgrade and enhance the existing buildings for the county's shelter, Smith-Skripps said. The HSMC will take possession of the property later this week. From there, they'll flesh out the final plan that will be shared with the general public.
HSMC new property
“We will be in full drive with our fundraising to make this location into the amazing animal shelter that it has the potential to be,' she added.
At last month's McDonough County Board meeting, the board unanimously voted to enter into a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) that memorializes an agreement to ensure the continuation of a working partnership and cooperation currently in existence between the Humane Society of McDonough County (HSMC) and the McDonough County Board (MCB).
The MOU with the county outlines that the McDonough County Board agrees to lease and operate as the McDonough County Animal Control Facility, per the guidelines of the Illinois Animal Welfare Act and as licensed/inspected by the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Animal Health and Welfare. The agreement also states that while the HSMC will lease the property and structures to the county for 99 years; the humane society will be the sole owner of this property/ structures; and they shall exercise all naming rights for the property/structures. Furthermore, the county will have the sole responsibility for paying all utilities and services required for the operation of the animal control facility, including water, electricity, sewage, waste disposal and any other operating expenses of the animal control facility, including, but not limited to, staffing and maintenance.
The MCB shall also provide and maintain all necessary and required insurance (i.e., property and personal) for the day-to-day operations of the animal control facility.
In addition to the MOU between the county and the humane society, an updated intergovernmental agreement between the City of Macomb and the county recently went into effect in which the city contributes 50 percent of the operational dollars necessary to pay for two full-time shelter employees (plus benefits), two part-time employees and veterinary costs for the shelter's animals. All fees collected from the county's mandated registration program, approximately $90,000-$100,000 annually, go directly to shelter operations.
AI generated dream version of the new separate cat and dog buildings.
