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Starfish Animal Rescue gets zoning change to move to Geneva

‘We wanted to come in here and find a place where we can work our magic’

By Brenda Schory
Margie Swift of Starfish Rescue speaks to the Geneva City Council Dec. 6

Margie Swift of Starfish Rescue speaks to the Geneva City Council Dec. 6. Aldermen approved a zoning amendment to allow an animal rescue at the Averill Road Commons. No animals can be kept or boarded there, but the site would be used to clean and prepare rescued animals for transfer to a foster home or shelter. (Brenda Schory)

GENEVA – An animal rescue organization that has operated in the area for a decade won a zoning amendment to allow it as a permitted use in a Geneva business park.

Aldermen this week unanimously approved the application from Starfish Animal Rescue, which is under contract to buy two units in the Averill Road Commons, 2014 Dearborn Court.

The rescue is currently located in Batavia, but sought a more permanent location nearby, records show.

Starfish Rescue founder Margie Swift told the council that she started the rescue in 2007.

“We rescued animals out of two high-kill shelters in Kentucky,” Swift said. “We have been in Batavia for about five years.”

Their building in Batavia was sold, Swift said, prompting a move to something more permanent.

The Averill Road units would be open every other Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon for about 30 animals to be prepared for transfer to other shelters or foster homes. No animals would be housed there overnight, according to the application.

“We adopt out animals as well, cats and dogs,” Swift said. “There’s been some people in Geneva, obviously in Batavia, St. Charles – all this area – that have worked with us and adopted from us as well. That’s why we wanted to come in here and find a place where we can work our magic.”

The location would also be used to store food, crates, toys, blankets cleaning and medical supplies for the animals.

Third Ward Alderman Becky Hruby thanked Swift for attending the meeting.

“And thank you so much for the important work that you do,” Hruby said. “I think it’s tremendous.”

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the request Nov. 11 to amend the Geneva Business Park Planned Unit Development to allow the animal rescue, not including boarding or kenneling as a permitted use in that zone, records show.

In addition, Starfish Animal rescue is hosting its 11th annual fundraiser, “Santa Paws,” from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 11 and 12 at its current headquarters, 167 Oswalt Ave., Batavia.

The public is invited. Admission and parking are free.

The event will feature more than 70 raffle baskets made by Starfish volunteers Amy Wisdom of Geneva and Kim Walsh of St. Charles, a bake sale, free hot dogs and hamburgers and a 50-50 drawing.

Starfish is also hosting a “12 Days of Santa Paws” online raffle.


Geneva City CouncilGeneva