Written by: Kaitlyn Klepec, Pantagraph, Courts and Public Safety Reporter
https://pantagraph.com/news/local/article_e28a1966-e4c1-409f-b712-bbb13af342b3.html

SHIRLEY — The McLean County Animal Services has officially opened its new facility just outside in Shirley, more than doubling the space of the former location.

“This building is a new chapter for Animal Services,” said McLean County Administrator Cassy Taylor at a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday morning. “I am proud to share the story of how we got here today.”

County leaders, animal services staff, volunteers and others who made the relocation possible gathered Friday at the new facility, located at 13060 East 850 North Road, to celebrate its opening and take a tour of the 11,000-square-foot facility.

The new MCAS building sits on 10 acres of rural land along Highway 34, which was previously owned by the Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District. It’s only about a mile from the previous location, but officials said the relocation will allow for not only more land and space, but better and safer servicing.

The former facility, which was built in 1993, had 5,000 square feet of space and could hold a maximum of 90 cats and dogs.

The new location “increases our capacity significantly,” said MCAS Director Marshell Thomson.

The department now houses about 60 dogs and 80 cats.

MCAS is “doing our best to help the animals in our care and to provide them with compassion while addressing their medical needs,” Thomson said. “… It has been almost three decades for me to see this amazing opportunity, and there are so many people who have collaborated and helped.”

The move to a new location came after the old building withstood floods in June 2021 and May 2023, and although animal services staff first looked to make improvements in the old facility, they ultimately decided it was best to expand with a brand new facility, Taylor said.

“There were no animals that were harmed in (the floods),” said Tony Grant, assistant county administrator. “Luckily, it was mostly we ended up about 2 or 3 inches of mud on the bottom, so we had some muddy dogs,” he added with a laugh.

While planning the new space, Farnsworth Group in collaboration with CORE Construction was able to design the building to help improved efficiency and cleanliness, while creating more separation for sick and injured animals, a priority Thomson identified when they broke ground on the new facility in July 2024.

The new building has a state-of the-art filtration system that circulates fresh air into each room every 10 minutes, officials said Friday.

The space is also equipped with multiple overhead hoses, which can be used for cleaning without dragging on the ground. There are more drainage areas, and each drain has screens for dirt and fur for quick cleanup and better sanitation, with a focus on controlling odors and reducing the risk for diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans.

Taylor also noted the new building is fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Actand increases space for offices, meetings and storage. It also adds a communal space for the wardens and has a separate space for staff meal breaks.

“These changes improve both staff and animal well-being,” Taylor said. “A bigger building isn’t about housing more animals long term; the focus is on keeping them healthy, less stressed and more adoptable.”

Along with the new facility comes a rebranding from Animal Control to Animal Services, to reflect the full scope of work done at the organization, county officials said.

“Every one of our animals that does come out of our adoptive services side of the facility here will be spayed, neutered, microchipped; it will be fully ready to be a pet for a family to love,” Grant said. “Forever home is ultimately what we’re trying to strive for.”

Grant said the facility has always provided these services, but the general public did not necessarily know the extent of the service.

“Animal services is also about protecting the community as a whole, and this facility gives us that foundation to do more to keep the pets and people safe,” said Elizabeth Johnston, chair of the McLean County Board.

The total cost of the new facility was around $7 million, approximately $4 million of which was allocated from American Rescue Plan Act funds; previously approved bonds funded the remaining cost.

“We officially broke ground on the new facility in July 2024, but the planning, design and funding efforts began several years earlier,” Taylor said. “We are pleased to share the construction was completed on schedule and under budget.”

Now, in the new facility, potential pet parents will have the opportunity to socialize with the animals in a new “Meet & Greet” room, and the new space features more outdoor areas and dog runs, with funds state Sen. David Koehler and state Rep. Sharon Chung helped to secure, Taylor said.

Johnston and other county leaders encouraged community members to visit the new facility and volunteer their time to help the animals.

“Whether you have one hour a week, half a day a month, you can make a difference in the lives of these animals getting to homes faster,” Johnston said.

Those interested in adopting pets can visit the MCAS website, at mcleancountyil.gov/940/Animal-Services, or call 309-888-5060 to schedule a viewing appointment.

For more information about volunteering, visit the website and complete a volunteer application, or call 309-888-5060.