Advocates Push City Council To Help Chicagos Struggling Animal Shelter We Should Do Better

Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC) faces a crisis, taking in 1,842 cats and dogs in July, an average of 59 animals per day, a stark rise from just 34 daily from 2013-2017. Advocates are calling on city officials and residents to support Resolution 18677, which would mandate a public meeting about the shelter's current struggles. The shelter's limited capacity has led to difficult decisions regarding euthanasia, despite a relatively low euthanasia rate of 11. 9 percent. Over 7,000 dogs entered CACC in 2024, the highest number since 2016, exacerbating the situation with an increase in deaths among the shelter's animals.

The shelter's officials cite a national trend of increased intake and longer stays for animals in shelters across the country. Advocates like Julie Darling and Rasa Gi highlight the urgent need for better support and resources to improve animal welfare. The ongoing challenges reflect a broader issue as municipal shelters nationwide face capacity crises. CACC hopes to prevent reaching a point of shutting down intake but acknowledges the pressure is mounting.