Arrowhead Animal Rescue, a Cook County nonprofit dedicated to helping animals in need, has exciting news to share regarding a new animal shelter for the community. As many are aware, the previous animal shelter was removed from the Grand Marais Rec Park in 2021, and the county has been without an animal shelter since. During this time, AAR has relied heavily on board members and volunteers to provide foster homes to local animals in need. In addition to continuing to care for abandoned, surrendered, and stray animals in the community through their foster program, AAR has also worked to raise funds and to collaborate with the city of Grand Marais on the construction of a new animal shelter. 

AAR is excited to announce that it is purchasing one of the Great Expectations School’s classroom trailers to convert into a new shelter facility. AAR put a down payment on the trailer in March of this year and expects to close on the building at the beginning of July. In addition to the purchase of the trailer, the Cook County EDA has transferred Lot 7, block 5 in the Cedar Grove Business Park back to the City of Grand Marais. This lot will be the site of the new shelter, which will be owned by the city, but managed and run by AAR. 

The next steps are site prep, closing on the trailer, moving the trailer to the site, and transforming the trailer from a classroom into a suitable shelter space. Although it is difficult to provide a precise timeline, AAR is hopeful that the site prep of the designated Business Park lot will be completed by the end of June, which would allow for the trailer to be moved to the site right away after closing on its purchase at the beginning of July. Once the trailer is moved to the Business Park and utilities are hooked up, AAR will begin renovations. The trailer’s flooring, which is currently carpet, will need to be replaced with an easy-to-sanitize surface; the walls and ceilings need painting; additional storage will be added; dog kennels must be purchased and installed; ADA-compliant ramps will be added to allow wheelchair access to the shelter; additional windows may be put in; and plumbing will be changed to accommodate the operational needs of the shelter. The trailer will also need a new roof, although it may not be financially feasible to replace the roof until next year, depending on costs. In addition, AAR plans to create a dog play yard and outdoor cat enclosures to provide safe outdoor enrichment and exercise for animals housed at the shelter. 

AAR has been hard at work fundraising for the shelter project these past few years, and will continue to do so to fund the renovations needed to make the shelter operational. Thus far, AAR has pledged $125,000 to the project, and both the City of Grand Marais and Cook County have committed to contribute $25,000 each to the project. For community members interested in supporting the shelter project, more fundraising efforts are on the horizon for AAR this spring and summer, and volunteer opportunities may be available as well. AAR is beyond excited to be significantly closer to a fully realized animal shelter able to serve the needs of abandoned, surrendered, and stray animals in the community. AAR believes that every animal deserves to be treated with kindness and respect, and the group looks forward to continuing to work with the City, County, and broader community to make this shelter a reality.

To learn more about AAR, click here.