Just under a month remains in the challenge for the Humane Society of Freeborn County to raise funds to build onto the existing Albert Lea Animal Shelter.

A former Albert Lea resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, has offered the Humane Society a grant of $150,000 to help build a shelter. The Humane Society needs to raise enough in donations to finish the shelter before it can start construction. If ground is not broken by June 30, the money will go back to the donor.

As of Tuesday, the Humane Society has raised almost two-thirds of the estimated $150,000 needed. The organization had $50,000 saved in a building account, and has raised another $45,000 since October, said Director Christa Stieler.

The Humane Society has been accepting donations and has had a number of fundraisers to get that far. Among these fundraisers were a pancake breakfast, garage sale, rummage sale at the farmers market and more. Stieler has been the speaker at service club meetings.

A children’s playhouse, built by the Alden-Conger High School shop class, using lumber donated by Freeborn Lumber and other materials donated by The Home Depot, will be raffled off this month. The winner will be drawn in June. Tickets are $5 each or four for $15. They are available by calling the Humane Society at 377-8501.

A bowl-a-thon fundraiser will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 13, at Holiday Lanes. There can be up to 16 teams of four. Pledge sheets are available. There will be pizza and pop available during the bowl-a-thon. To sign up, call 373-0575.

People can also make building fund donations to the Humane Society at Security Bank or they may be mailed to: Humane Society of Freeborn County. P.O. Box 423, Albert Lea.

Stieler said she believes the fundraising goal is attainable. If everyone in Freeborn County gave $3, the project would become a reality, she added.

The Humane Society could also use donations of blankets, chain-link fencing, a washer and drier and a laptop computer.

The Humane Society is operating under a temporary contract with the city of Albert Lea. The Humane Society takes care of the animals and cleans the shelter and can in turn keep some of its adoptable pets there. (Many of the organization’s animals are still in foster homes, since the organization has never had a shelter before.) The city takes care of the lawn and utilities, Stieler said.

“It’s worked out really well,” she added.

The shelter has mostly dog kennels. The addition would include a space for cats and a quarantine area for incoming pets. There would be a lobby area, dog runs and an outside area for cats.