Today, local tails are wagging with extra fervor as Evanston and Cook County open the doors to a new chapter in animal care. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Evanston Animal Shelter unveiled a state-of-the-art facility at 2310 Oakton Street. A cohort of city and county officials, including Mayor Daniel Biss, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, graced the event to solidify their support for the cause of animal welfare. The new shelter is not just a haven for lost and surrendered pets, but a monument to the city and county's dedication to sustainable practices and civic collaboration.
Initiated in 2015, the partnership between the City of Evanston and the Evanston Animal Shelter Association (EASA) has found a new stronghold in the recent development. As described on the Cook County website, the new shelter, operated by EASA, will continue operating as a no-kill, open-admission facility. "This facility will allow us to care for more animals in need while also enabling us to meet our green energy goals and set a new standard for future City projects," said Mayor Biss.
Funded partly by the small fees Cook County residents paid for rabies vaccinations, the 8,800-square-foot building bagged a total of $7.2 million, which includes a significant $2.85 million through Cook County Animal and Rabies Control's Housing Cook County’s Animals grant program. This financial backing turns the dreams of better animal care into tangible reality, providing outdoor dog runs, a medical suite, and even isolation areas for those battling illness.
The shelter executive director, Vicky Pasenko, claims that the new digs are a game-changer for animals and humans alike. She envisions an expansion of volunteer opportunities and educational programs that sit heartily alongside the shelter's promise—a promise that houses over 20 kennels for dogs, colony rooms for cats, and adoption spaces. "This new facility will finally give our animals the space they deserve while allowing us to expand our community programs," Pasenko revealed.
The grand opening wasn’t all speeches and formalities; it included a quirky "dog treat breaking" with a giant bone-shaped cookie to celebrate the event, echoing the warmth and off-beat spirit the shelter espouses. And for those wishing to witness the shelter's charm first-hand, an open house is slated for Sunday, October 6. The doors will then swing wide for adoptions starting October 12, paving the path for many furry Evanston residents to find their forever homes.
