The Anti-Cruelty Society Launches Construction of Enhanced Veterinary Clinic

CHICAGO, IL, January 23, 2013 (Press-News.org) The Anti-Cruelty Society, Chicago's oldest and largest private animal welfare organization—building a community of caring by helping pets and educating people—is breaking ground for an improved veterinary clinic today, January 21, 2013.

Since opening its charity veterinary clinic in 1916—the first in the country—the Society has worked hard to provide medical assistance to the thousands of animals that enter through their doors each year. In 1936, they built the Marion and Horace E. McConnell Memorial Building, which housed a modern clinic, surgical facilities, and an auditorium. Its spay/neuter clinic, which opened in 1994, and the charity veterinary clinic are still housed there today with the most recent renovations completed in 1989.

"The building has served us well for many years but it is showing a substantial amount of wear and tear, a tell tale sign that it is time for an upgrade, said Robyn Barbiers, D.V.M. and President of The Anti-Cruelty Society. "First we had to determine whether or not we wanted to just re-surface the current clinic or completely re-locate it. We held several meetings with staff, architects, and a committee of the Board to determine the best location for the clinic. To provide the best space for the animals, their owner and for staff, we decided to move the clinic to the lower level, which is currently our basement, serving as storage space."

Rebuilding the new clinic in the basement allows the Society to design the clinic in one large space all on one level, and with minimal disruptions of services. Renovating the existing clinic would result in the current clinic being shut down for 9 months— which is not an option for one of the most high-traffic organizations in the Chicagoland area that performs affordable and no-cost spay/neuter surgeries.

The new clinic will be more than 2,500 square feet larger and will be designed specifically for the needs of the Society. The new surgical suite is almost double the size and will open with five surgical tables with room for expansion in the future. A proper isolation unit will be built with separate cat and dog rooms for animals with contagious diseases. All animal holding rooms will be enlarged to provide better housing and separate rooms for cats and dogs. As part of a green initiative, the Society will be adding an oxygen concentrator to eliminate deliveries of oxygen tanks.

"As with any large project, there are always repercussions, said Barbiers. "In this case, they are all positive and we are very eager to see the changes come to life. This construction will dramatically improve the clinic to continue our efforts in preventing unwanted litters."

The new clinic will take 5 months, but to complete the entire four-phase construction plan, including renovations to admissions and adoption center, it will take a total of 4-5 years to complete. Total costs will be just under $8 million, the clinic being the most expensive piece at approximately $3.6 million.

With all of the renovations, there will be many naming opportunities to recognize those that have financially helped the Society launch the new clinic. If interested in seeing your donation go directly to the clinic, please contact Nadine Walmsley at nwalmsley@anticruelty.org or 312-645-8001.

About The Anti-Cruelty Society
The Anti-Cruelty Society is Chicago's oldest and largest, private non-profit, open-admission, unlimited stay humane society. With a mission of building a community of caring by helping pets and educating people, its comprehensive programs and services help over 50,000 animals and humans every year and include: adoption, charity veterinary clinic, affordable or no-cost spay/neuter clinic, cruelty investigations and rescue, humane education, anti-violence after school programs, pet visitation, a free behavior hotline, dog training classes, S.A.F.E. program (short-term accommodations for emergencies), The Bruckner Rehabilitation & Treatment Center, the Virginia Butts Berger Cat Clinic, and the Dog Rehabilitation Center. For more information, visit http://www.anticruelty.org or call (312) 644-8338.