The 40-year-old Anderson Animal Shelter building, located at 1000 South La Fox, in South Elgin, will be getting a shelter makeover thanks to a generous donation from Marco and Patricia Muscarello, on behalf of the Ivar and Ruth Anderson Animal Anti-Cruelty Foundation.

Beginning Sept. 1, new caging will be installed throughout the dog and cat adoption areas. The reception and non-public areas of the shelter will also receive a facelift.

“The Anderson Animal Shelter building is outdated,” said Executive Director Beth Drake. “Our plumbing was installed when the shelter was built 40 years ago and has reached the end of its life expectancy. Our parking lot is too small to accommodate all our shelter visitors. Most importantly, our animal caging is outdated.”

The makeover will be made possible through several sources. In addition to the generosity of the Muscarellos, the Shelter’s Board of Directors has approved the use of some of the organization’s own investments and will also be seeking donations from individuals and businesses. Together, the combination of these resources will contribute to the success of the project
and renovation of the shelter.

The Muscarellos, who have been involved and committed to the Shelter for many years, said, “We feel proud to be a part of the modernization of the Anderson Animal Shelter facility and are confident that the changes will be for the betterment of the animal residents and the community.”

Currently, the cats are housed in small, stainless steel cages and dogs are housed in chain link kennels. These resident areas were established many years ago. Research and advances in animal welfare and housing are driving some of the changes planned.

“This type of caging is not ideal for shelter animals,” Drake said. “It increases their stress and leads to emotional and physical distress. The shelter redesign will incorporate creative housing solutions designed to reduce animal stress. Our adoptable cats will be housed with other cats in cat colonies, or individually in large ‘kitty condos’ with perching and sleeping ledges, allowing them to feel more at home. Adoptable dogs will be housed in their own small rooms, rather than in kennels.”

Under Drake’s leadership, shelter staff and volunteers have begun to implement a variety of activities to increase the adoptability of shelter animals in advance of the shelter redesign. Dog playgroups are now a daily occurrence. Dogs that “play well with others” are allowed to interact with one another off leash in an outdoor fenced area with special supervision. This type of interaction not only burns off excess energy, it also encourages positive interactions between dogs, increasing the
likelihood of success in an adoptive home.

Josephine Bachelder, one of the shelter’s current volunteers, said she is very pleased with the changes occurring at Anderson.

“One of the most exciting improvements I’ve witnessed is dog playgroups,” she said. “Socialization is vital to the emotional health of dogs, and you can really see it in the shelter dogs during and after they’ve been in a playgroup. They’re so much more relaxed — it obviously has a positive effect on their overall well-being.”

The building at Anderson Animal Shelter has many uses and serves its departments, staff and volunteers well. Not only is it being used as a temporary home for animals in need, but it is also the site of a number of youth programs, dog training classes and more. A redesign and renovation of the building is extremely needed and highly anticipated by many.

LAMP Inc., located in Elgin, has been selected as the general contractor for the project. Known in the industry for delivering a unique and positive experience and keeping cost down, LAMP was chosen based on their previous work with the shelter and strong relationship with the board and knowledge of the facility.

Lesya Kercheval, the shelter’s adoption manager, is excited for the renovations.

“The plans for a long overdue facelift to the shelter give me goose bumps,” she said. “I have worked at the shelter for 10 years, and I am thrilled to be part of the wonderful upcoming changes. I look forward to better housing for the animals and an increase in lives saved.”

The Board of Directors of Anderson Animal Shelter has been working closely with Drake and her staff, as well as volunteers, to understand the shelter’s needs. Together, they have come up with a floor plan and improved housing that will benefit all.

“A remodeling project of this magnitude is a momentous event in the life of the shelter,” said Cindy Green, longtime member of the Board of Directors. “The upcoming changes will not only benefit the animals in our care, but also the staff and the community as a whole. In my almost 17 years as a board member, I can’t remember feeling such unified excitement. Thank you to all who have made donations to the shelter in the past and to those whose future support will be so appreciated. Without you, this historical occasion would not be possible.”

The shelter is seeking monetary and in-kind donations to help fund the campaign and the cost of the remodel. Many naming and sponsorship opportunities are available for those interested and donations of various items, including portable 6-by-6-foot chain link or panel dog kennels, large dog kennels, and pea gravel, are being sought. For questions, a detailed list of options or to discuss areas of interest, contact Holly Alcala at halcala@andersonanimalshelter.org or 847-697-2880, Ext. 33.

The shelter will be seeking as many as 100 foster families to take care of animal during the renovation in September. See the related article on Kane County Connects and call the shelter for additional information.

SOURCE: Anderson Animal Shelter

ABOUT ANDERSON ANIMAL SHELTER

Anderson Animal Shelter collaborates with public and private organizations and individuals to shelter, care for and promote the adoption of homeless, stray and unwanted companion animals. The Shelter advocates for the compassionate and humane treatment of these animals through direct care, humane education and community outreach programs. For more information on Anderson Animal Shelter, including adoption, volunteering, donation drives and membership opportunities, please visit www.andersonanimalshelter.org, email info@andersonanimalshelter.org or contact us by phone 847-697-2880. The Shelter is located at 1000 South La Fox Road, South Elgin, IL 60177.