Homeless cats and dogs may find a new sanctuary in DeKalb while waiting to find a companion.

Taking Animals Into Loving Shelter (TAILS) Humane Society will build a new permanent location on the southwest corner of Peace and Barber Greene roads, thanks to the donations of individuals and businesses.

The three-acre lot where the shelter will be built was donated by an individual donor. The cost to build the shelter is estimated at $550,000, TAILS President Kathy Stelford said.

The shelter already has taken in about $250,000 from donations in a building fund. These donations are the product of four years of fundraising. Most of the money came from individual donations, Stelford said.

Financing for the rest of the project has been secured, as have donations and volunteer pledges from contractors to assist in building the shelter, she said.

John Biesiadecki Sr., owner of Thermalshell Technologies Inc. in Sycamore, is one of the contractors who will help with building materials. Biesiadecki said he will supply customized super-insulated structure wall panels to TAILS at his cost.

“The whole shelter is built out of donated money; we want to be a part of it as well,” Biesiadecki said.

The new location will provide space for 40 to 50 dogs, about 100 cats and will handle up to 12 exotic animals if the need arises. However, efforts will be made to place exotic animals in specialized shelters, Stelford said.

Dogs will be kept in a “real-life room,” which has the feel of a house rather than chain-link dog runs, after they have gone through the procedures to become adoptable, Stelford said. The room will feature toys and beds for the pups.

Cats will be held in a “cat colony,” or a large room with a floor-to-ceiling cat pole.

“I think it’s going to be a wonderful, wonderful thing for the animals in DeKalb County,” said Dr. Dennis Diemer, co-owner of Prairie View Animal Hospital.

Anyone interested in finding out more about TAILS or donating to the organization can call 756-TAILS or visit www.tailshumanesociety.org.