Behind brick and mortar, a small sick puppy whimpers in pain, and in acceptance that this may very well be all that life bestows. The Chicago community answers the call of its most loyal community members and soothes the cry of these 300-400 shelter animals into gentle snores. Permanent national reform is on its way, yet Chicago’s continued community revitalization already stretched out hands to cradle the lives of 4-legged community members. We currently face recognition of abuse and substandard care in many county animal care and control facilities across the nation. Founder of the Chicago Wolves hockey team, Donald Levin, recognized a problem in his community and spurred an $8.2 million face-lift of Chicago’s Lee Animal Care and Control facility from the inside out. Lives of all kinds are forever changed.
Real Estate Rehab
Saves Homeless Animals
In May of 2014, a public outcry for change created momentary pause in dedicated shelter donor, Donald Levin. Finding himself no longer able to donate
with pride, Levin still didn’t leave the lives he had once funded out in the cold. Instead, he, along with the Better Government Association (BGA) and other community members, demanded reform that would add to the general momentum of community revitalization that Chicago has become famous for.
With $2 million dollars donated by the family foundation created by Levin, and the remaining $6.2 million from Chicago tax payers, the $8.2 million contract to overhaul the pound, located at 2741 S. Western was awarded to Friedler Construction. According to the Chicago Sun Times, the real estate rehab included:
- Animal pavilions to include new cages and plumbing, concentrated in areas utilized by adoptable dogs, and most visible to the public.
- Pavilions that house dogs for long periods of time, including those victim to court case delays.
- Complete replacement of a faulty roof.
- New electrical, heating, cooling and ventilation systems that will allow 100% fresh circulating outdoor air to minimize the risk of contagion by airborne illness.
- A new security system, alerting staff to urgent human or animal needs.
Related: Theaster Gates Chicago Community Revitalization
Whether an animal fan or not, most people have come to realize the incredible value of 4 legged lives, as many go on to act as a lifeline for the humans they love and serve so loyally. Even though precious lives were lost, and human outcry was required to force change, a legacy started here. The Chicago community’s call to action has speared community revitalization that will likely provide record and experience to ease emulation by other communities.
Chicago Animal Shelter Rehab
Spears Thought, Crossing State Lines
The community revitalization in Chicago is set to fuel that of other states, yet again. BGA’s President and CEO, Andy Shaw, recognized that well within the dilapidated walls, lived attitudes and practices that needed to be remodeled as much as the building. This isn't a problem specific to Chicago. As an active animal and human activist myself, I am involved in the daily volunteer operations of 3 Southern California shelters. The American Humane Association has been engaged in investigating long-standing inadequacies from dilapidated buildings to broken systems in several shelter. But, as volunteers and community members in my surrounding communities voice outcry for change too, I find myself thinking of Chicago's success.
Such animal shelter real estate rehab and advocacy achievement provides, at minimum, a baseline for argument of other communities' potential. There is a desperate need for animal sheltering reform across the nation; including well-planned real estate rehab. Chicago, is certainly one of the states leading the call. In just 6 short months, the multi-million dollar real estate rehab of the Elgin community animal shelter was complete. (The amount of time that it continues to take some Southern California shelters to merely get their decision ducks standing in the same row and focused in the same direction.) The rehabbed shelter, once commonly referenced Animal-Low-Care-&-Out-of-Control is now regarded with renewed respect, and the originally intended description of Animal Care and Control is acceptable. Chicago’s growing communities called for the prudent real estate rehab, to preserve the mental and physical health of the several hundred animal lives; hence another Chicago community revitalized.
Related: The Ripple Effect
Beyond Brick and Mortar
The efforts, speared on by a man, a committee, and a community, have increased adoptions by 40% in the 6 months following the rehab completion. Approximately 160 animals, who may have otherwise been put to sleep, will now add value to the lives of humans. As the benefits of our 4-legged community members to human society are realized, we can take Chicago’s lead and demand that the same level of action be met in other communities.
One small shelter graduate works for Patch of Land. Foster sibling, and therapy dog, Jellie Beanz is flanked by 110 pound Big Mac, who she raised, and helped prepare for his own adoption. Many more sheltered dogs await the opportunity to realize their full potential in the lives of humans, and in the enrichment of our communities.
Let it come as no surprise when private crowdfunded shelters begin forming across America. We will keep you updated on the success of new efforts. Until then, stay inspired: Remember when the Knox Whitley Humane Shelter in Kentucky that burned to the ground, the day after Thanksgiving 2013? One humanitarian and an indiegogo crowdfunding campaign quickly raised over $3700 to help rebuild. A crowdfunding campaign for Virginia's Radford Animal Shelter PantherHouse raised over $5000 to build an interactive room, so cats could play and develop into more adoptable pets. And, of course, SAFEHOME, who successfully raised almost $13,000 toward their first crowdfunding campaign. All to build an animal shelter housing pets of domestic violence victims, so that the thought of leaving their animals behind wouldn't catch the human in a treacherous pause.
Spear community revitalization through the improvement of your local public and private animal shelters. Consider adding to government and private funds by creating a crowdfunding campaign. Expedite funds for building improvements and providing enrichment tools. Animal shelters are housing living beings so incredibly forgiving and resilient that they preserve the innocent authenticity in humans too.
Would you be inclined create a crowdfunding campaign, if you could save animals' lives right from your own living room?
Bobbi Schultz commented June 24, 2015
This article is articulately and well written. Thank you Karen for bringing to light the possibility for individuals to spearhead their own crowdfunding campaigns - one man can build a mountain. As the idea and knowledge of crowdfunding gathers momentum and is brought to the limelight and attention of others ~ I believe more great work can and will be done. I was happy to live in the greater Chicagoland area before your article but even more so now that I have educated myself with your very informative piece. Thank you for inspiring myself as well as others. Bravo.
Laurie Marx commented June 26, 2015
What a well-written and inspiring article. Sometimes it doesn't take a whole village, it just takes heart and determination. Our four-legged friends all deserve a decent place to live until they find their forever homes, and we need to honor them by improving shelter conditions any way we can. I loved learning about the SAFEHOME program, so important.
Susan Barre commented June 27, 2015
Crowdfunding has so much potential in so many areas. Thanks for expanding my awareness to projects that help animals as well as people, especially projects like SAFEHOME that aid both. I so look forward to your articles...always filled with fascinating and important information. Keep up the good work.
David Poynter commented June 27, 2015
I've been a fan of the concept of crowdfunding since you introduced me to it nearly a year ago. Now, it sounds as though you may have interjected your own animal rights passions into the program. I'm not surprised. Keep up the good work and I look forward to your next beautifully worded installment in Patch of Land!
melch commented June 28, 2015
Great to see what a difference a person with a vision can make in a community that cares. Hard to say if it's the building upgrades or the same attention and efforts that make such a thing possible. It's exciting that adoption rates are up and more lives are being saved!