TILTON, Ill. (WAND) - For Vermilion County Animal Shelter Director Ryan Goodner, there was only one reaction to hearing the shelter was awarded $2,500,000 in grant funding. 

"So much excitement," Goodner said. "The staff are very excited about it, all of us here are. This will be so great for the community." 

The Julius W. Hegeler II Foundation awarded the grant. The award letter stated "the funding is intended to purchase or build a structure to serve as an animal control facility for Vermilion County or to expand and renovate the existing facility ..." 

Goodner said many of the issues with the current facility have to do with its age. The materials it was constructed with make it difficult for shelter staff to keep it clean. 

"When you have exposed concrete or even have that concrete covered, you have to make sure that you sanitize it properly," Goodner said. "That way, you don't have any disease that is being held over from one animal to the next." 

Goodner doesn't know yet whether the county will decide to build a new facility, find an existing building, or renovate the current space. No matter what decision is made, he believes the outcome will be better for staff and animals. 

The Vermilion County Board will complete its final vote on accepting the funding on April 21. 

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