Key Takeaways
- • The Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation announced on October 30, 2026 that the Dr. Peter & Milla Kollinger Family Endowment awarded a $2,000 grant to Jim Beam's Corner Cattery, a nonprofit cat rescue and adoption center north of Effingham, Illinois.
- • The grant was recommended by Erich Kollinger, son of Dr. Peter and Milla Kollinger and a volunteer at the cattery, and will cover operating costs including veterinary care, medicine, food, litter, utilities and insurance.
- • The 501(c)(3) cattery has helped nearly 1,400 cats and about 40 dogs find permanent homes, places roughly 200 to 250 cats annually, receives no government funding, and turns away roughly 20 cats a day for lack of space.
- • Kollinger says the cattery supports Effingham County's no-kill ordinance and called for a low-cost spay/neuter resource and a trap-neuter-vaccinate-return program to address overpopulation.
Summary
The Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation (SICF) announced on October 30, 2026 that the Dr. Peter & Milla Kollinger Family Endowment has awarded a $2,000 grant to Jim Beam's Corner Cattery, a nonprofit cat rescue and adoption center just north of Effingham, Illinois. According to the announcement, which was distributed through the Effingham County Chamber, the grant was recommended by Erich Kollinger, son of Dr. Peter and Milla Kollinger and a volunteer at the cattery.
The funds will be used to cover recurring operating costs, including veterinary care, medicine, food, litter, cleaning supplies, heating and cooling, insurance and upkeep of the facility where cats wait for adoption. Erich Kollinger said, "As a volunteer, I see how carefully donations are used," and described the grant as a way to honor his parents' love of animals.
The cattery, which continues the legacy of longtime animal advocate Jim Beam, is a 501(c)(3) organization that has helped nearly 1,400 cats and about 40 dogs find permanent homes. It places roughly 200 to 250 cats each year, takes in animals slated for euthanasia at other shelters, surrendered cats and seriously ill strays, and receives no government funding. The cattery reports turning away roughly 20 cats a day due to lack of space.
Kollinger credits the cattery's founders and local advocates with Effingham County's no-kill ordinance and said the community needs a dedicated low-cost spay/neuter resource and a coordinated trap-neuter-vaccinate-return program. The organization is seeking recurring monthly donations to support planning. The cattery is located at 18086 N. U.S. Highway 45, Effingham, and is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The funds will be used to cover recurring operating costs, including veterinary care, medicine, food, litter, cleaning supplies, heating and cooling, insurance and upkeep of the facility where cats wait for adoption. Erich Kollinger said, "As a volunteer, I see how carefully donations are used," and described the grant as a way to honor his parents' love of animals.
The cattery, which continues the legacy of longtime animal advocate Jim Beam, is a 501(c)(3) organization that has helped nearly 1,400 cats and about 40 dogs find permanent homes. It places roughly 200 to 250 cats each year, takes in animals slated for euthanasia at other shelters, surrendered cats and seriously ill strays, and receives no government funding. The cattery reports turning away roughly 20 cats a day due to lack of space.
Kollinger credits the cattery's founders and local advocates with Effingham County's no-kill ordinance and said the community needs a dedicated low-cost spay/neuter resource and a coordinated trap-neuter-vaccinate-return program. The organization is seeking recurring monthly donations to support planning. The cattery is located at 18086 N. U.S. Highway 45, Effingham, and is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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