421 N. COUNTY FARM ROAD

WHEATON, IL 60187

DU PAGE COUNTY

Animal Services Committee

Final Summary

www.dupagecounty.gov

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

7:30 AM

Room 3500A

CALL TO ORDER

7:30 AM meeting was called to order by Chair Krajewski at 7:30 AM.

ROLL CALL

Cynthia Cronin Cahill, District 5 Dawn DeSart, Grant Eckhoff,

PRESENT:

Krajewski and Melissa Martinez

Paula Garcia

ABSENT:

PUBLIC COMMENT

No public comments were offered.

CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS - CHAIR KRAJEWSKI

Chair Krajewski stated the DuPage Animal Friends Gala on May 15, 2026 was a huge success

and thanked Laura and Jill for their hard work planning the event. The DAF board is undergoing

some changes as DAF expands the level of support and increases fundraising for the shelter.

Recruiting is underway to bring on new board members to assist in meeting DAF’s ambitious

fundraising goals.

MINUTES APPROVAL

5.A.

26-1509

Animal Services Committee - Regular Meeting - Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Summary Minutes - April 2026

Attachments:

APPROVED

RESULT:

Cynthia Cronin Cahill

Dawn DeSart

MOVER:

SECONDER:

GRANTS

6.A.

FI-R-0084-26

Acceptance and appropriation of interest earned on investment for the DuPage Animal

Friends Phase II Capital Project Grant, Company 5000, Accounting Unit 1310, in the

amount of $15,598. (Animal Services)

DAFCAP2 Appropriating Interest Budget - ATTACHMENT I

Attachments:

APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE

Cynthia Cronin Cahill

RESULT:

MOVER:

Dawn DeSart

SECONDER:

ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATE

Laura thanked everyone that attended the DAF gala on Friday and thanked Jill for her hard work

on the event. More events and restaurant givebacks are coming up this year.

Laura introduced DCAS’s new Operations Manager, Tiffany Janda. Tiffany has 7 years

experience in the animal welfare field and expressed she is excited to be on board.

The animal population is currently at 148 animals. There has been a recent surge in dog intake.

Staff are discussing ways to creatively market and move dogs into forever homes, capitalizing on

the wave of news and interest surrounding recent beagle rescue to highlight our own

community’s animals still waiting to be freed from their cages. DCAS currently has animals that

have been in the system for well over 60 days. The longest resident is a court case dog that spent

more than 200 days before being signed over to Animal Services so that an outcome could be

secured for her. Staff are now actively seeking permanent placement for her.

Community events are now being scheduled for the summer and fall months. Events are

communicated via DCAS social media channels, e-newsletter, and will soon be included in the

event calendar on the County website.

Chair Krajewski inquired whether a heat map exists that shows where the most at-risk animals

are located. Laura said this data does exist and that management uses this info to strategically

target outreach in communities where the need is greatest. Laura stated that cats present the

biggest challenge, so a lot of effort is being funneled into services that prevent cat intake and

unwanted litters.

Brian inquired about a possible mega adoption event. Laura shared nothing is scheduled yet, but

the Chicagoland Humane Coalition is weighing options. There will be adoption activities

coinciding with PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week.

Nick and Geoff provided an update on the status of HVAC unit replacement. Animal Services is

solar-ready. If a donor were found to purchase the solar panels, the shelter could convert to solar

energy.

Member DeSart asked for clarification on the estimated proceeds from the DAF gala. Laura

stated that the estimated gross revenue is around $280K. Chair Krajewski stated that expenses

are kept as low as possible - all liquor for the event was donated and the venue provided steep

discounts for the event.