CREATING COMPREHENSIVE COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2015

Through an intergovernmental agreement with Peoria County, the City of Peoria, Illinois, operated the community's animal shelter and animal control programs for three decades. In 2010, however, the City ceased its operation of these programs due to budget constraints. As a result, Peoria County assumed responsibility for creating an animal control and animal welfare program for its constituents, to avoid a gap in these important public safety services. During the transition of animal control services from the City to the County, the County Board established ambitious goals to reduce euthanasia of shelter animals, increase placement of impounded pets, and improve public safety overall in Peoria County. In 2015, less than five years after the establishment of Peoria County Animal Protection Services (PCAPS), the County Board announced successful results of its original goals, in many cases surpassing the goal. To achieve its objectives, PCAPS adopted policies and implemented programs that elevated animal control services and animal shelter programs beyond previous standards. By combining public safety activities with animal welfare components, the County was able to exceed its goals in the provision of comprehensive animal welfare services for the community.