New Shelter Planned for West Suburban Humane Society

West Suburban Humane Society (WSHS) is pleased to announce its fundraising campaign has launched with encouraging results, recording more than $2 million in pledges toward a $4 million capital campaign goal to build a new shelter in Downers Grove.

This long overdue campaign will put WSHS 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 youth 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, WSHS 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 lead 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 8,300 square-foot-facility will be built adjacent to the current shelter on land the organization already owns. Groundbreaking is slated for late spring/early summer 2019.

For more information about WSHS or supporting the campaign, please visit https://wshs-dg.org/news-events/capital-campaign-wshs.