Chicago Animal Control employees issue urgent call for adoptions

Members of AFSCME Local 2912 are responsible for the care of hundreds of dogs, cats and other animals regularly brought to Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC). At the facility, employees help locate lost pets, facilitate adoptions and provide appropriate medical care for sick and injured animals. 

Sadly, another responsibility for CACC employees is taking in pets from owners who can no longer care for them. CACC is currently experiencing the highest number of pet surrenders in years. Between 50-60 animals are being brought to the facility each day. 

Due to the massive surge in animal intakes and critically short staffing levels, CACC employees are encouraging their fellow AFSCME members to adopt a pet in need of a loving family. 

“It’s extremely important for people to come in and adopt,” said Janine Delgado, steward for Local 2912 and a supervising animal care clerk at CACC. 

Even with such high intake levels, short staffing remains a chronic problem, leaving only a handful of workers to process adoption and administer veterinary care for the 550 animals at the facility. 

Employees do their best to give attention to all of the animals, but short-staffing and busy workdays means there simply isn’t enough time in the day to give them the love they need. 

“When we’re more rushed, we don’t get to interact with the animals as much,” Delgado said. “Right now we have one certified veterinary technician, four veterinary assistants, and three veterinarians for the entire city of Chicago.” 

All animals at CACC up for adoption are spayed or neutered, up to date on vaccines, microchipped and registered with the city. The facility is located at 2741 S. Western Ave., Chicago 60608, and is open for adoption every day from 12 p.m.-7 p.m.