Humane Society of Southern Illinois to close August 1

CARBONDALE, Ill. (KBSI) – The Humane Society of Southern Illinois will close.

Shelter leaders announced they will end all animal intake effective August 1.

HSSI remains steadfast in its mission to support animal welfare through various ongoing programs and services and continues to be committed to ensuring that the animals currently in their care will find forever homes.

The Humane Society of Southern Illinois was founded in 1956. Since then it has provided shelter, care and adoption services to countless animals in need.

The decision to close the shelter reflects evolving community needs and operational challenges over the recent years, including increasing costs, lack of appropriate funding from its current funding sources and continuing staffing needs.

“While we are saddened by the closure of our shelter facility, we are committed to continuing our work through other vital programs,” said Casey Parker, HSSI Board Member. “Our Pennies for Pets Program, which has been used to spay or neuter thousands of
animals, will continue to raise funds to provide veterinary care, including spays and neuters, to the animals in the local community.”

HSSI will maintain its commitment to education and outreach efforts aimed at promoting responsible pet ownership, spaying and neutering, keeping animals in loving homes and advocating for animal rights.

“We want to reassure our supporters and the community that while our shelter doors may be closing, our dedication to improving the lives of animals remains,” added Lisa Potter, HSSI President.

HSSI leaders are working with rescue groups in hopes of finding placements for all the animals currently in its care. HSSI is also looking for adoption placements for those animals. Adoption fees are now $50 per animal. Donations will be accepted to help take care of the remaining animals, including for their spay or neuter. Under state law, no animal can be adopted without first being altered.

HSSI will host a fundraiser at Starview Vineyards on August 24. Any funds raised will go to ensure the animals at the shelter find loving homes and/or the Pennies For Pets voucher program.

For more information, see the HSSI Facebook page.

Due to staffing issues, the humane society is open by appointment only to view or adopt animals.

Anyone interested in adopting an animal is asked to call the shelter at 618-457-2362 to make an appointment.

No animals will be accepted for drop off.

Visit humanesocietysil.org or the Humane Society of Southern Illinois Facebook page for more information on how to support HSSI’s ongoing programs or to adopt an animal.

Donations can be sent to HSSI at PO Box 291, Carbondale, IL, 62901.