Costs put Happy Tails behind: No-kill shelter needs about $240K to finish new digs

STERLING – After 5 years of fundraisers and a bitter court battle with neighbors in its pricey subdivision, Happy Tails Animal Shelter has a new building on a new site.

But a series of construction cost overruns means the nonprofit no-kill shelter needs about $90,000 more than the original estimate of $450,000 to finish the project.

Of the $290,000 raised since August 2004, when the shelter board decided to move from its home in Hickory Hills, only $9,100 remains.

At an open house Sunday at the new site in Rock Falls, the next big fundraising push will begin. About $240,000 still is needed.

“We could have to stop building unless we can generate enough money to keep moving,” said Chris Preston, a Happy Tails board member. “We still have a long way to go.”

Costs rose when a concrete slab, which builders didn’t realize was poured much deeper than originally thought, had to be removed and backfilled, Preston said. The well had to be drilled twice, and twice as deep as originally estimated, he added.

The building also needs sophisticated air filtration and ductwork systems to prevent the spread of disease, neither of which the board included in its first plan, he said.

On an average day, the shelter cares for about 30 dogs and 120 cats. Right now, the new shelter is just a shell. Kennels are on order, and supporting rooms – such as a treatment room for veterinarians, kitchen, pet playroom, and storage and utility rooms – are not done. Nor is the plumbing installed.

The Hickory Hills multiple-lot site is for sale with an asking price of $152,000, and the bank has opened line of credit for $100,000 based on that.

The board would like to put that money toward the cost of construction, but members have shied away from incurring debt because of dwindling cash flow, Preston said.

The yearly operating budget for Happy Tails is about $50,000, the majority of which pays veterinary bills, he said.

Open house

The volunteers at Happy Tails Animal Shelter will have an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the new site, 1408 McNeil Road in Rock Falls.