‘In crisis mode’: CACC warns of pet drop-offs as daily line keeps getting longer

CHICAGO — Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC) is in “crisis mode” after seeing their daily in-take line grow over the course of the year. Sadly, pets given up by their owners are more likely to die than strays.

Social media has been one of the biggest tools in its toolboxes for shelters all across the country and CACC used it Wednesday to highlight a daily reality for them — long lines of pets getting dropped off.

“The sad truth is the owner releases are the first ones on the ‘chopping block,'” CACC public information officer Armando Tejeda told WGN News.

The shelter is averaging in May around 56 animals being surrendered per day, up from 54 in April. Some are strays, but many are owners giving up their pets.

Data shows this has increased and CACC has been reeling. Tejeda said they have been speaking with other large city shelters and they are experiencing the same thing.

“Most of it is the economy — the cost of pet food, vet appointments, other stuff,” Tejeda said. “A lot of people truly love their pets but they just don’t know about all of the resources out there.”

So CACC put together a resource guide in hopes of giving the animals a second chance.

Their current euthanasia rate is around 11% and the reason why pets surrendered are more likely to get euthanized is because they lack protections versus strays.

“When a stray comes in they are required cage space by law,” Tejeda said. ” So five to seven days if they have no microchip and seven if they have a microchip.”

The pandemic was a tough time for CACC and shelters across the world, but now staff is seeing an after effect — a dog and cat boom.

“One of the drugs used to sedate animals during COVID went to humans so way less spay and neuters were not happening,” Tejeda. “It’s felt like we’ve been playing catch up (to the pandemic) but now it’s been compounded by what’s happening now.”

Data shows in the first quarter of the year (Jan-March), 1,410 pets were surrendered by their owners compared to 1,843 animals being took in as strays. Over 500 had to be euthanized as the shelter is “in crisis mode” due to being at max capacity.

Looking at the first quarter of 2024, CACC had far less pet drop offs — 383.

CACC said the euthanasia rate should be higher when you look at the data, but they have so many wonderful rescue organizations who partner with them.

But they still need a lot of help.

“We will face even a greater influx in the summer once the weather gets warm,” Tejeda said. “In-takes have been steadily increasing. We usually see a lot of pit bulls, but now it’s everything.”

The shelter recently installed a microchip station for lost dogs and cats outside of CACC. It has made employees happy to be able to look outside and see the animal never having to come in.

All adoption fees of animals at CACC 30 days or longer are waived. For 30 days or less, it’s just $65 and the animals are up to date on shots.

Interested residents can also try out the “doggy day care” program, where you can spend an afternoon with a dog to get to know them.

Visit here to adopt a pet or learn how to foster. Below are a select few available out of hundreds of cute dogs and cats.