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Joliet Animal Shelter Facing Eviction Just Before Christmas

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Dogs rescued by a Joliet no-kill animal rescue group could be evicted in a matter of days, but the shelter and its supporters are fighting back.

More than 1,400 people put the Cache Creek Animal Rescue over its $50,000 goal Thursday night -- one day after it went public with its plight on its Facebook page and GoFundMe site.

The number of donors on its GoFundMe page nearly tripled in half a day, and the amount of cash raised nearly quadrupled, from jumped from about 540 at 3:45 p.m. Thursday to 1,611 at 7:30 a.m. Friday. The amount of the donations more than quadrupled, from $13,233 to $57,270.

Cache Creek had hoped to raise at least $50,000 to pay for repairs at its current location, a move and improvements to a new location, and repairs to the aging truck that shelter operator Donna Hawk uses to transport the animals for adoption from downstate Anna to Joliet.

Hawk said it is unfortunate the atmosphere surrounding the current space it rents -- at 20654 Burl Ct. in Joliet -- has come so contentious, because the shelter has installed a mural, replaced worn carpet with tile, built new cabinets, and more. Code violations that needed to be addressed included the water heater, drainage, parking lot, and handicapped accessibility.

Hawk said the problems prompted the landlord to issue a Jan. 10 eviction notice. She said she wants the shelter to be able to stay put until June and move then.

Cache Creek brings unwanted dogs and cats from nine downstate counties to Joliet for adoption.

Hawk wrote on Cache Creek's Facebook page, "Someone has to be the voice for these animals. They depend on us."

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