DuPage County Animal Services Committee met June 20.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. CALL TO ORDER
7:30 AM meeting was called to order by Chair Brian Krajewski at 7:30 AM.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Cynthia Cronin Cahill, District 5 Dawn DeSart, Grant Eckhoff, Krajewski and Sheila Rutledge
LATE: Paula Garcia
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comments were offered.
4. CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS - CHAIR KRAJEWSKI
No remarks were offered.
5. MINUTES APPROVAL
5.A. 23-2145
Animal Services Committee - Regular Meeting - Tuesday, May 16, 2023
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Cynthia Cronin Cahill
SECONDER: Dawn DeSart
6. GRANTS
6.A. FI-R-0154-23
Acceptance and appropriation of additional funding for the DuPage Animal Friends Unrestricted Grant FY23, Company 5000 - Accounting Unit 1310, from $50,000 to $75,000 (an increase of $25,000). (Animal Services)
RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE
MOVER: Dawn DeSart
SECONDER: Cynthia Cronin Cahill
7. DISCUSSION
7.A. 23-2151
Discussion of ordinance banning declawing and devocalization.
Member Garcia joined the meeting at 7:32am.
Chair Krajewski shared with the committee his conversations with HSUS Illinois State Director Marc Ayers regarding new legislation banning cat declawing and dog devocalization (debarking). Similar to the puppy mill ban which wasn’t successful at the state level until municipalities demonstrated support for the legislation or enacted their own bans, this legislation would require a similar strategy. At the moment, the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association has taken a position against any ban on declawing as their members make money from declawing cats. No entities appear to be against banning devocalization of dogs at this time.
DCAS has taken a firm stance against declawing and includes language in adoption contracts advising owners not to declaw their adopted cat(s). Additionally, staff thoroughly counsels adopters on alternative ways of preventing/correcting inappropriate scratching and is always available to offer post-adoption support for clients struggling with this issue.
Chair Krajewski asked ASA Prindle to do some research into how DuPage County might be able to support this legislation as a non-home rule entity. Chair Krajewski stated that he would also like to reach out to home rule municipalities in DuPage County to share the model ordinances included in today’s packet.
The committee was unanimously in support of bringing this information to the Legislative Committee for consideration next month.
Member Eckhoff requested that some research be done to identify how declawing bans might affect feline euthanasia rates in areas where they have been enacted. Member Rutledge suggested that language be added to the DCAS adoption contract that states dog devocalization is prohibited. Laura shared that declawing is a much more prolific problem for several reasons. Many veterinarians still perform and even recommend declawing because it is a source of revenue. Also, declawing is a relatively inexpensive procedure. Even pet-friendly landlords will sometimes require that cats living in their units be declawed. Laura also shared that there have been occasions when someone participating in the DCAS low income spay/neuter program have actually paid clinics directly for their cats to be declawed during their spay/neuter surgery.
Legislation - Declaw Only
8. ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATE
Laura thanked the DAF donors and board of directors for making the additional $25,000 grant possible. DCAS has treated many critical medical cases already this year. These grants and donations are what make it possible for DCAS to never have to say no to an animal in need of extra medical care.
DCAS, in partnership with the Chicagoland Humane Coalition (CHC) and 24 PetHealth, is participating in a 12-hour drive-thru microchip clinic on Saturday, June 24th from 8am-8pm at Animal Services. The goal is to microchip as many animals as possible in an effort to get more found animals home. 24 PetHealth recently launched a website called 24 PetConnect - an online database where the public can view and share lost/found pets. DCAS uses 24 PetHealth shelter software which automatically feeds lost/found pet information to the 24 PetConnect site. 24 PetHealth is providing all of the microchips for the event for free. There are a total of 11 locations around the Chicagoland area participating with some locations offering a 24-hour microchip clinic.
CHC is re-launching the Chicago Dog campaign to create awareness around and adoption of large breed dogs that are historically more challenging to place. New merchandise will be available and the adoption fees of certain dogs 40lbs and over will be waived during the month of June by participating shelters/rescues.
Laura was happy to report that the current shelter population is under 200 animals as of today’s date. DCAS has handled several large intakes and hoarding cases already this year. The dog population is currently down to 30 animals thanks to the community that heeded our calls for adopter/foster support when we reached critical capacity and were facing the possibility of having to euthanize for space. DCAS is currently caring for 118 cats and 31 small animals.
Guinea pigs are the new rabbit. DCAS is seeing huge increases in guinea pig intakes. Unfortunately, some of our guinea pigs have contracted ringworm which means even longer lengths of stay while they are treated and cleared for adoption. Staff are pushing guinea pig surrender appointments out, but in several cases, intakes consist of upwards of a dozen at one time.
FY24 budget preparation is underway. We may be looking at possible changes to the fee structure, especially as it relates to veterinary service items and out of county surrender fees. DCAS continues to receive requests for owner surrendered pets from our collar counties who often are directing their residents to contact DuPage County. Our goal is to meet the needs of our residents first, so DuPage County residents are prioritized. However, it is difficult to turn away someone in need. We also don’t want people to be left with no other option than to abandon their animals.
Laura reminded the committee that even with the new shelter renovation, shelter capacity will not be increased. Rather, the expansion will allow for appropriate spaces that are currently not possible given that our current facility is almost always overflowing. There is a nation-wide crisis with shelters all over the country reaching critical capacity.
9. OLD BUSINESS
No old business was discussed.
10. NEW BUSINESS
Sheila demonstrated how plastic six-pack rings can be deconstructed to prevent wildlife from becoming tangled in them.
11. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
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