New facility seeks to revolutionize animal rescue

HINSDALE, Ill. - Sept. 24, 2018 - PRLog -- The new Pet Rescue & Resource Center (PRRC) operated by Hinsdale Humane Society, will open its doors in conjunction with a grand opening weekend of events on Saturday, November 3, 2018, and a first day of adoptions on Sunday, November 4 during a Free Family Festival.

The new facility, located at 21 Salt Creek Lane in Hinsdale, is right off of I-294 and Ogden Avenue, and will allow more communities easy access to the resources that will be available as the organization expands its adoptions, services and community programming:

Resources will include:

Jordan Crist Dog Adoption Center: The new space provides room for more than double the number of pets by jumping from 6,000 sq ft to almost 16,000 sq ft., taking the numbers from 1,000 to 2,000 animals rescued in that first year alone.

Foley & Schlosser Training Center: Provides room for obedience training, socializing the dogs and off-leash play. Also contains our "Puppy Bowl" for the public to enjoy watching our dogs in action.

Elinor & Jake Brickman Education Center: A classroom setting for all educational programming as well as outside speakers and students.

Pet Therapy Programming: Space to host pet therapy group events and therapy team training.

Veterinary Clinic: The in-house clinic will provide spay/neuter services for all shelter animals, and treatment for minor medical issues, so pets can be housed, treated and adopted out all from one facility.

"Beyond the fantastic, modern design of the building, is the progressive nature of what will go on inside," said Tom Van Winkle, Executive Director, PRRC. "While we owe a tremendous debt to the trailblazing women who founded Hinsdale Humane Society in the 1950s, our future is about growth and becoming one of the premier animal shelters in the country."

Progressive sheltering includes:

Enrichment: All animals will receive enrichment from volunteers and staff to further enhance their socialization, training and exposure to new people, places and situations, all in addition to their daily walks, calm down time and human interaction.

Fear-free sheltering: All PRRC staff are being trained for certification in Fear-Free Sheltering: a movement to address the emotional well-being of animals as well as their physical well-being through progressive design, management and handling.

"Compassionate care is the foundation of everything we do, but we're more than what we have been in the past," said Van Winkle. "We've named the building Pet Rescue & Resource Center to help explain what will be offered inside. We'll provide the public with adoptions, education, information, resources, pet therapy, pet engagement opportunities to help grow the human/animal bond, and an invitation to community businesses and nonprofits to utilize our space for their own functions so we can all maximize its use."

Construction to adapt the former Robert Crown facility for animal use has been underway since March 2018, with architecture and design created by Linden Group Architects, an Orland Park firm specializing in animal care facilities such as Countryside Veterinary Center, Downers Grove Animal Clinic and the new Hinsdale Animal Hospital, currently under construction.

"As you enter the building, it's almost like a living room," said Michael Matthys, Vice President, Linden Group. "That extends to the cat area where people can sit with them in an open environment, and into the Puppy Bowl area, themed after the Superbowl, where visitors can watch the dogs at play."

The Pet Rescue & Resource Center was designed to be a welcoming space for the public to engage with the pets, learn about animal welfare, pet therapy, and of course consider adoption.

For more details about the new facility, the Grand Opening Weekend festivities, or to request an interview or tour, contact Robin Carroll, pr@hinsdalehumanesociety.org or 630-323-5630 x13. www.hinsdalehumanesociety.org