Humane Society Awarded $6 Million To Build New Shelter

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — A $6 million grant has been awarded to the South Suburban Humane Society in Chicago Heights that will help fund the construction of a new shelter for their pets. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced the grant, as well as a separate one for $2 million awarded to a shelter in north suburban Evanston, earlier this week.

Emily Klehm, executive director of the humane society, called the grant "a game changer" in allowing them to care for pets throughout Cook County. Pet Of The Week: Macy

"Our $6 million award allows us to build a healthy, progressive animal resource campus that will expand our capacity and make the lives of our pets and the people who love them better."

Klehm said an additional $2.5 million will need to be raised to fully fund the project, and ways to help are detailed here.

The hope is for groundbreaking on the new facility will come this fall and for it to open before the end of 2021, Klehm said.