Supporters of the South Suburban Humane Society will be honoring Emily Klehm on Tuesday, Oct. 15, as she says her good-byes after 17 years at the helm of the organization.
“Leaving here was a very difficult decision because I have quite literally poured blood, sweat and tears into this organization and my goal was always the new building,” she said.
Her friends and supporters will gather at the SSHS building, 21800 Central Ave. in Matteson, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. to wish her well as she moves to the vice president of operations position with the Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago.
Society, give a hug to Clarence, a resident cat at the agency.
(Marilyn Thomas/H-F Chronicle)
at the South Suburban Humane Society.
(Marilyn Thomas/H-F Chronicle)
The South Suburban Humane Society was organized in 1970 and purchased its first building in 1973 in Chicago Heights. That’s where Klehm joined the organization as a dog walker in 2007. In short order, she was asked to join the board where she headed up the development committee using her background in fundraising and nonprofits. Shortly afterward, Klehm was asked to take the executive’s position.
“I’ve said forever that my first day at South Suburban Humane Society was Dec. 1, 2007, and the first day of dreaming of a new shelter was Dec. 1, 2007,” she laughs. “My goals for my own life and for this organization have been to get us here.”
Klehm deserves credit for bringing her goal to fruition. SSHS added a spay/neuter clinic and then it co-opened a low-cost vet services clinic both in Chicago Heights. The organization moved its adoption services to a former veterinary building in Homewood in 2015, but a building that could serve all SSHS’s needs was always her dream.
It came to fruition when SSHS was the recipient of a $7 million Cook County grant that allowed the board to conduct a fundraising campaign to complete the new, spacious 19,000 square-foot building specifically designed for the needs of dogs and cats. The Village of Matteson gave SSHS a ground lease for $1 for 99 years for the shelter’s site.
“I remember coming out here with their economic development person, and it was just a field, and I could see it (the shelter). I thought: It’s perfect because it actually gives space where the dogs can go for walks and we’re not constrained by buildings all around us and it’s easily off the interstate,” she said.
At any one time, staff at SSHS is caring for a maximum 150 dogs and cats at the shelter in Matteson, plus another 200 or so in foster care. Klehm said she runs the shelter on a $3.6 million budget. Supporters donate about $1.5 million, and SSHS collects fees for its services and clinics.
The staff has organized a number of programs to help keep pets with their families. SSHS’s Safety Net program has a volunteer fostering a pet while the owner recovers from health issues or other unforeseen circumstances. Its Pets Are Family program is providing food and vet services when a family can’t cover the expenses.
Klehm says pet adoptions are down some, especially from what they were during the pandemic when lots of families were adopting. She is proud to have been a part of the thousands of SSHS stories.
“After my announcement went out, I got so many emails from people who said, ‘You did my adoption, do you remember?’ Some I do remember, others I don’t but I love that I’m a part of people’s story about this pet that they love.
“There were thousands and thousands and thousands of pets that came through in my time. There are some that will stick in my mind forever. It’s cool to hear from people, just to know for how much we believe pets impact and enrich our lives. They truly are family. It’s fun to be a part of that.”
Related stories:
- Humane Society cites renovation costs, announces closure of Homewood Adoption Center (Dec. 15, 2023).
- South Suburban Humane Society introduces community to game-changing new facility (June 13, 2022).
- Klehm’s 14 years of dedication making a difference at South Suburban Humane Society (Sept. 21, 2021).
- With owners in crisis, Homewood family provides temporary home to dog, part of new SSHS program (July 2, 2021).
- Community steps up to adopt, foster pets during coronavirus crisis (April 20, 2020).
- South Suburban Humane Society opens Homewood Adoption Center (June 21, 2019).
