Local Nonprofit Seeks Building for Storm Lake Animal Shelter

As of Jan. 2, 2026, negotiations were under way for Caring Paws Rescue to purchase the former Lake Animal Hospital building at 107 West 16th St., a facility that closed Dec. 23 following the retirement of Dr. Dianne Johnson. If the transaction succeeds, the group plans kennel runs for 12-15 dogs and expanded cat rooms to house as many as 80 cats, with later renovations potentially adding another 10-12 kennels and fenced exercise areas.

The proposal would mark the first dedicated animal shelter within Storm Lake, shifting how the county and local rescue networks handle stray, surrendered, and rescued animals. Dr. Johnson has agreed to continue providing spay and neuter services part-time under contract, a continuity of care local advocates say is critical for controlling shelter intake and supporting public health.

Caring Paws is launching a capital campaign to raise $700,000, allocating roughly $400,000 for the building purchase and the remainder for initial operating costs. Negotiations also are under way to access the Samsel Trust, a $400,000 gift designated to support an animal shelter in Storm Lake, which could cover a large portion of the purchase price if released for that purpose.

In the near term the group is running grassroots fundraisers to build community support and bridge financing. A shoe drive is running through Jan. 5 with collection points around Storm Lake, and a Pizza Ranch Community Impact fundraiser is scheduled for Jan. 19. Monetary donations are being accepted online at caringpawsstormlake.org, by mail to Caring Paws Rescue, P.O. Box 54, Storm Lake, and through the group’s Facebook page.

The plan addresses an evident local need for shelter capacity and veterinary services, but it raises questions that will shape long-term viability. Chief among them are how ongoing operating costs will be sustained once the building is acquired, how access to the Samsel Trust will be governed and disbursed, and what arrangements will exist with county animal control and volunteer rescue partners. Securing the initial purchase would be a substantial milestone; maintaining staffing, medical care, and daily operations will require steady revenue and transparent stewardship of donated funds.

For residents, the effort offers both a tangible way to support animal welfare through donations or participation in fundraisers and a prompt to follow how public and private resources are allocated. Local officials and donors will be watching negotiations and the capital campaign as Caring Paws moves to convert a shuttered veterinary clinic into a community shelter.