21800 Central Avenue, Matteson, IL 60443


Phone: 708-755-7387

2207 183rd St. Homewood, IL 60430

Phone: 708-960-3240

21800 Central Avenue, Matteson, IL 60443


Phone: 708-755-7387

2207 183rd St. Homewood, IL 60430

Phone: 708-960-3240

ABOUT US

Creating a better world for pets and the people who love them.

The South Suburban Humane Society (SSHS) incorporated in 1970 as a small group of volunteers who brought homeless pets into their homes and worked to find them permanent homes. From those humble origins, we grew to a 501c3 nonprofit organization operating a 19,000 square foot animal resource campus in Matteson, IL that takes in more than 4,000 pets annually, a Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic, a Low-Cost Veterinary Services Clinic, a second adoption center in Homewood, IL and a variety of far-reaching community services. The SSHS annually impacts 20,000 pets and the people who love them through these programs.  

Homewood Adoption Center

The HAC is an additional adoption location for SSHS! Come and visit and adopt a dog or cat!

The New Home for SSHS

The New Home for SSHS Capital Campaign was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build upon our legacy of service and create a unique animal resource campus in the severely economically challenged south suburbs.

Community Care Fund

Families who qualify are able to access routine veterinary care as well as emergency care for pets in need.

Our Team

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Megan Rola-Podczaski, CVT

Chief Operating Officer

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Kristina Madere

Business Manager

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Kathleen Pazanin

Volunteer & Outreach Manager

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Alicia Peterson

Spay/Neuter Clinic Manager

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Christine Mieszczak

Low-Cost Vet Clinic Manager

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Amanda Litviak

Homewood Adoption Center Manager

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Haley LaFond

Director of Animal Care

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Julia Bowling

Director of Foster Programs

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Mika Carten

Director of Adoptions

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Alena Santangelo

Intake Supervisor

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Eleanor Sloan

Dog Supervisor

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Stacey Carnithan

Cat Supervisor

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Maria Martinez

Foster Coordinator

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Dr. Sabina Amen

Shelter & Spay/Neuter Veterinarian


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Dr. Andrea Reese

Spay/Neuter Veterinarian


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Dr. Charles Raser

Low-Cost Clinic Veterinarian


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Dr. Katrin Asbury

Low-Cost Clinic Veterinarian


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* A shelter’s Live Release Rate is the number of live outcomes divided by the number of total outcomes. At SSHS, we exclude Owner Intended Euthanasia from that total as it is a low-cost service we provide by appointment only to community members who could not otherwise afford humane euthanasia for their beloved pet. SSHS gives every pet in our care the time and resources available to ensure a live outcome. However, because we accept every pet brought to us through our animal control and police department contracts and we accept owner surrendered pets by managed admissions in various stages of health from neonatal kittens to seniors, a very small percentage of the pets in our care pass away or are humanely euthanized to end suffering or to ensure the safety of our communities. In 2019: 18 pets were euthanized due to age-related reasons; 42 were euthanized due to severe aggression to other animals and/or people; 4 were feral cats who would not thrive in our Barn Cat Program; 127 were sick with an untreatable disease. A full accounting of each intake and outcome category can be found by clicking here: Shelter Animals Count 2019 Report

Publications & Reports

Below, you will find South Suburban Humane Society's Annual Report, a copy of the 501(c)3 Tax Letter (Proof of Tax-Exempt Status), and a copy of our most recent 990 Tax Form. South Suburban Humane Society is committed to transparency and non-profit best practices.

FY 2020 Report

501(c)3 Certification

990 Form