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Dear Cook County Veterinary Partner,
Veterinarians play a crucial role in recognizing and reporting animal abuse and neglect. Animal abuse not only causes suffering to the animal but can also be an indicator of other forms of abuse in a home. As such, reporting the suspected maltreatment of an animal can help keep an entire household safe.
In the state of Illinois, veterinarians are mandated reporters, which means that any suspected animal abuse must be reported. While reporting may be intimidating, understand that Illinois state law grants veterinarians immunity from civil, criminal or other liability when reporting suspected abuse in good faith.
Reporting potential abuse or neglect may cause an investigation to occur. The reporting veterinarian must keep objective and thorough veterinary records. Photographs of suspected signs of mistreatment may be documented in the patient’s medical record. If the animal dies or is euthanized, the body should be retained to allow for necropsy and further evidence gathering.
If a veterinarian suspects abuse or neglect of an animal that resides within Cook County, a report should be made to the Cook County Sheriff’s Special Operations Unit at 708-865-4720 during business hours, or the 24-hour patrol desk at 708-865-4790.
Thank you for your ongoing efforts to keep Cook County’s animals safe.
Mamadou Diakhate, DVM
Administrator
Cook County Animal and Rabies Control
Megan Carolan, DVM
Deputy Administrator
Cook County Animal and Rabies Control
Veterinary License
Cook County Animal and Rabies Control must have a current veterinary license on file for all hospitals purchasing rabies tags. Please submit your active veterinary license.
Changes in Hospital/Clinic Ownership
If there is a change of ownership of a hospital or clinic, please notify Animal and Rabies Control immediately. All veterinarians/owners must have an active account on file to purchase rabies vaccination tags. New owners cannot use previous owners’ accounts or rabies tags. No credit will be given to the new owner returning the previous owner’s rabies tags. A new account must be established for the new owner to purchase rabies tags.
Please contact Jennifer Hawkins at 708-974-6382 to update owner information or for questions. Hospital account updates or new hospital account forms can be found on our website at cookcountyil.gov/arc.
H5N1 Influenza Infection and Testing
The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDoA) would like to remind veterinarians to report to IDoA any Illinois domestic animals that are clinically suspicious for H5N1 influenza infection or that are submitted for H5N1 influenza testing. Additionally, please be reminded that the detection of H5N1 in any domestic species (including unowned cats) is immediately reportable to the IDoA.
Click the paw below for more information.
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