Animal rescue organization to open facility in Rantoul

Photo by: Bradley Leeb/The News-Gazette

Jessica Sempek and Scott Stewart are founders of Hospice Hearts Sanctuary. Sempek is now working on opening a Rantoul shelter for special-needs animals. Sempek's latest effort will be to help bring an animal shelter to Rantoul. She's a board member with Catsnap, which will own the facility.

RANTOUL A central Illinois animal rescue organization will open a shelter for special-needs animals this year in Rantoul.

Catsnap will open the facility, which will provide veterinary services for animals owned by low-income people.

Jessica Sempek, a Catsnap board member, said the shelter will be opened at 318 S. Garrard St. Remodeling of the facility, which formerly housed an orthodontist's office, is ongoing.

"We initially thought of a property in Rantoul because of how affordable commercial real estate is," Sempek said.

Sempek said the "ambitious" goal would be to be open by the summer, but the "more realistic" goal would be the fall.

A core of 10-15 volunteers is helping with the planning and other work. Residents of Rantoul's Jesus is the Way Prison Ministry will be doing some of the heavy lifting, including pulling up carpet and other tasks.

The 3,200-square-foot facility will serve cats and dogs. About 1,200 square feet of shelter space will be available.

Sempek said Catsnap intends for the facility to be cage-free for sheltering. There will be community cat rooms in the basement that closely resemble a home environment.

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Animal rescue organization to open facility in Rantoul