Animal Services participated in the Chicagoland Area Chip-In free microchip event on June
24th. The event was a huge success. More than 300 animals were microchipped and registered
in a 12 hour period making DCAS the top performing agency out of eleven participating
locations. The next closest performing agency microchipped 105 animals. The event was free
and open to the public including out of county residents. Laura thanked all who helped spread the
word about the event, along with County Security who helped managed traffic lines, Best
Friends, 24 PetWatch and DuPage Animal Friends. She especially thanked the volunteers and
staff who worked hard to make this first event such a success.
The shelter has seen a sharp increase in the number of animals coming in. The number of animal
hoarding cases has already increased sharply - some have been shared publicly, some have not.
Staff have been quietly dealing with quite a few cat and small animal hoarders. Animal intakes
are up 14% compared to this time last year. Staff are seeing an increase in the number of owner
surrender requests for moving, financial hardship, and many unclaimed strays. Intake is typically
50% stray/50% owner relinquished pets. In an effort to avoid having to euthanize healthy
adoptable animals for space, staff are doing their best to manage intake and are being very frank
with the public by sharing the challenges the shelter is facing. Even if there is an empty cage
available, staff still must be mindful of the number of resources needed to care for the animal in
that cage. Capacity for care and shelter animal quality of life is very important. To overlook
either is not healthy for the people or the animals.
Member DeSart asked about the reference to an increase in animal cruelty investigations under
7B. Laura explained that when Animal Services gets involved in an animal concern that results
in seizing or impounding the animal, the animals involved stay in the shelter’s care significantly
longer than if it were a surrendered or found pet. Unless the owner surrenders the animal(s) to
DCAS or the judge orders forfeiture, the animal(s) must be held at the shelter while the legal
process plays out. Additionally, animals that are a part of a cruelty case often require medical
care that further extends their stay and increases the number of resources needed to care for the
animal. Laura shared that on the same day that the 33 dogs from the Glen Ellyn hoarding case
arrived, an additional 12 dogs from another case arrived at the shelter. Several dogs from the
Glen Ellyn case were near-death when they arrived at the shelter. As a result of the increase in
cruelty cases DCAS has experienced a spike not only in personnel costs, but in food and medical
expenses as well.
Member DeSart requested from Laura a “wish list” that might include personnel, goods, etc. in
light of the recent surge in expenses. Laura stated that she will share some of this when the
FY24 budget is presented to the committee.
11.
12.
OLD BUSINESS
No old business was discussed.
NEW BUSINESS
Member Eckhoff requested to revisit the topic of the 24 Petcare Software Conference out of state
travel request and made a motion to review an amended travel request at the September meeting
