Huntley’s Animal House Shelter rises above the flood with community support
HUNTLEY — What began as a tragedy for Animal House Shelter (AHS), a beloved local pet rescue, has turned into a heartwarming story of resilience and community spirit.
The flooding arrived with little warning on the afternoon of Dec. 5, as frigid temperatures caused a water sprinkler system pipe to freeze and burst causing extensive damage to parts of the facility.
Fortunately, staff stated that there were no animals present in the room where the flooding occurred. While the many animals currently at the shelter are safe and dry, AHS faces a long road ahead as repairs to the damaged areas are looking to cost around 40-$50,000.
News of AHS’ plight spread quickly through social media and local news outlets. By Friday, donations began pouring in from neighboring towns and cities. Supplies like pet food, blankets, and pet-friendly road salt arrived in large numbers thanks to community members.
AHS Founder Lesley Irwin told My Huntley News that they are looking for quotes to fix all the insulation in the attic of the building, drywall repairs, and ceiling tiles.
With that being said, the animal rescue is in desperate need of cash donations, however, any assistance is helpful.
“With the temperatures continuing to drop, getting the insulation done is an urgent top priority. So yes, we definitely still need monetary donations for the repairs. On top of everything, our industrial washer just stopped working as well so war are in desperate need of bedding for the animals as well,” Irwin said via email correspondence. “The repair company said the washer is passed the point of being able to be fixed so we need a new industrial washer also which is approximately $3,500.”
Thanks to this wave of support, AHS continues to make strides towards recovery. Individuals have shown up to adopt some of the animals, which helps ease the strain on the facility.
As AHS continues to move forward, it stands as a symbol of hope and determination in the community. AHS is still accepting donations, adoptions, and volunteers, and updates on their progress can be found on their website and social media channels.
For anyone interested in donating or to learn more about the shelter, visit www.animalhouseshelter.com.
