Emily Klehm led the South Suburban Humane Society from a rundown building to a sparkling new space with sweeping outdoor views and walking paths, increasing the agency’s profile along the way.
But after 17 years as CEO of the animal shelter, Klehm has decided to move on. Klehm, a lifelong animal lover, will become vice president of Operations for The Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago. On Tuesday, her colleagues at SSHS in Matteson, and formerly Chicago Heights and Homewood, sent her off with gratitude after her last day with a farewell reception.
Tracy Elliott, former president and CEO of The Anti-Cruelty Society, will be taking over in Matteson while the board searches for a replacement.
“I’m going to miss the scrappiness of this organization,” said Klehm, who lives in Glenwood. “Everyone here from staff to volunteers does work above and beyond.
“I’ll miss the underdog spirit, that whole team atmosphere.”
In 2014, Klehm helped SSHS earn “no-kill” status from Best Friends Animal Society, meaning 90 percent of the dogs and cats who come in are saved. The shelter takes in about 4,500 animals and 3,800 are adopted, 400 strays returned to owners and another 150 transferred to breed-specific rescues.
She helped open a spay-neuter center in 2008 to help prevent unwanted births and in 2015 began providing a low-cost veterinary services clinic. The shelter partners with Respond Now to offer a Pets are Family program, where people who have trouble affording pet supplies can get help.
“We’re seeing pets and people in need,” Klehm said, pointing out the high cost of veterinary services and other animal care needs. “We’re helping people keep their pets.”
Over the years, she has adopted a number of dogs and cats from the shelter, including her current Papillon mix, Charlie.
Megan Rola-Podczaski, chief operating officer at SSHS who started as a volunteer in 2011, applauded Klehm.
“When she started, the shelter was in a rough place,” said Rola-Podczaski. “She’s a fearless leader, she’s very dedicated. She’s fair, she’s a good listener, she’s a good friend and just a good-hearted person.”
But Klehm’s pride and joy is the new building in Matteson.
“I’ve always joked that on my first day, Dec. 1, 2007, I knew the organization needed a new building,” said Klehm.
The original shelter was converted in 1975 from a printing press building.
“There were flooding issues, roof issues, HVAC,” she said. “Probably the biggest issue in kennels is the drains are really important. In the old building, the kennels had drains that often weren’t working and a huge room with 20 kennels and no drains,” said Klehm, explaining that meant constant cleaning and laundry.
There weren’t any walking paths, either.
“It was along railroad tracks in Chicago Heights and there weren’t good outdoor places,” Klehm said. “This area here has made such a big difference.”
The agency also acquired a smaller shelter and adoption center in Homewood but that was closed once the new building in Matteson was opened.
They moved to the new site in June 2022, but planning started in the fall of 2019 when they applied for a Home for Cook County’s Animals grant administered by Cook County Animal Control. In 2020, they learned they would be awarded $7 million, but that was at the beginning of the pandemic. They also ended up raising $2.7 million from a capital campaign.
Klehm said luckily the village of Matteson was on board and they found the perfect spot for the 19,000 sq.-ft. space.
“We fell in love with this land,” said Klehm. “It’s easy to get to and it’s natural. It just totally changes the feel of the organization.”
Klehm, who worked for a nonprofit in the past, started as a volunteer/dog walker at SSHS in 2005. She met a board member who knew about her nonprofit experience and suggested she join the board. Then when the executive position opened in 2007, she got the job.
She also had experience with animals, growing up on a farm in Chatsworth.
“A little bit has always been in my blood,” she said.
Klehm said though she initially felt sad at seeing the animals come in, today she looks on the bright side.
“This is a place where pets get second changes,” said Klehm. “We get to help people keep their pets.”
Kathleen Pazanin, director of Volunteer Programs, has witnessed the improvements at the shelter since 2012 when she started as a volunteer.
“She (Klehm) really made all of us go farther than we thought we could,” said Pazanin. “She’s the most inspiring woman I’ve ever met. The animals have always been her number one priority.”
Long-time volunteer Joan Lenzi, who was walking a dog along the outdoor path recently, said Klehm’s legacy at SSHS will long be remembered.
“This shelter does so much for the dogs (and cats),” said Lenzi. “She put her heart and soul into it, that’s for sure.”
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
