Chunky Monkey is a solidly built cuddle machine who came to DCAS as a stray. Delighting everyone with her laid back nature and love of snuggles Chunky Monkey has quickly become a staff and volunteer favorite. She has snuggled into every lap and wiggled her way into every heart in the shelter.
Unfortunately, during Chunky's medical exam mast cell tumors were found. Mast cell tumors can often be treated successfully if caught early but Chunky Monkey was a stray with no one to observe the tumors growth. Now the tumors have spread and have poor margins which means that Chunky Monkey is not a candidate for surgery. Her prognosis is grim and her time on this earth is limited but Chunky Monkey has SO MUCH love to give and she deserves to spend her limited time in the comforts of a home with a family of her own. Chunky Monkey is searching for a home where she can be the only pet. Dogs make her uncomfortable and cats are just so fun to chase!
DCAS is looking for an adopter to be Chunky's hero, someone who will love her with all they've got even though it won't be for long. It will take someone brave. Someone capable of giving Chunky their heart and being able to say good bye when her time comes. She needs you, if you're able.
Chunky Monkey is currently resting in a foster home. Interested in adopting? Please call 630-407-2800 or email animalservices@dupageco.org for more information. Chunky is waiting for you!
This year we couldn't wait for National Volunteer Appreciation Week and celebrated our volunteers in February so they could feel how much we love them! This month, in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Week, we will begin our monthly Volunteer Spotlight beginning with office volunteer Jamie!
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Meet Jamie Smith!
Jamie is a very special volunteer that plays a big part in helping our organization stay on top of our public health responsibilities. She assists in the office a few days a week to review the rabies certificates that come back from our veterinary partners. She also has shared her process documentation expertise with us. We are grateful for the time she gives us, the delicious cookies she bakes, and the companionship she provides in the office. She is an engaged citizen in so many ways, has a cat named Lily and has also volunteered with other animal welfare organizations. Thank you, Jamie!
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DuPage County Animal Services is fortunate to have a dedicated and compassionate team of animal control officers that work tirelessly to serve the human and animal population of DuPage County. This month we had the opportunity to show them how much they are valued during National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week! Get to know our Animal Control Officers below!
Children can learn all about what a day in the life of an Animal Control Officer is like in the Animal Advocates Day Camp offered at DCAS! To learn more and download a registration form visit: http://www.dupageco.org/AnimalServices/Programs/
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Officer Anthony
How long have you been an Animal Control Officer?
I have worked for DuPage County Animal Services for 13 years and have been an Animal Control Officer for 11 years.
What motivated you to become an Animal Control Officer?
I love working with both people and animals. Being an Animal Control Officer lets me enjoy the best of both worlds.
What are your favorite parts of the job?
My favorite part of the job is helping to reunite people with their pets.
Do you have a favorite Animal Control Officer story?
Several years ago we were called out to catch a fox that was acting erratically. Turns out he had been illegally kept as a pet and had gotten out of the house. We named him Tod and he was an absolute blast. He couldn't go back to his home so we had to work to find him a suitable sanctuary and, thankfully Tod found a lovely home in New York and now works as a wildlife ambassador visiting schools.
What is your favorite animal?
So hard to choose! My favorite domestic animal is definitely a dog but if we can count wild animals I love birds of prey!
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Officer Galvan
How long have you been an Animal Control Officer?
I have been an Animal Control Officer for 5 months. Previously, I worked for the DuPage Forest Preserve as a Ranger.
What motivated you to become an Animal Control Officer?
I have a passion for wildlife and domestic animals. Being an Animal Control Officer lets me combine the best of both worlds.
What are your favorite parts of the job?
My favorite part of the job is handling wildlife and getting the opportunity to speak with the public on how to safely co-exist with wildlife in our community.
Do you have a favorite Animal Control Officer story?
I don't have a specific favorite story yet but I do get a sense of fulfillment every time I pick up a stray and with time, patience, and care that dog is able to go up on the adoption floor and find a loving forever home.
What is your favorite animal?
My favorite animal is a wolf!
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Officer Cortez
How long have you been an Animal Control Officer?
I am brand new to the team! I have been an Animal Control Officer for just shy of two months now.
What motivated you to become an Animal Control Officer?
I have loved animals all my life and grew up caring for a small zoo at home. Once I graduated from school I found this amazing opportunity to work for DuPage County Animal Services.
What are your favorite parts of the job?
I love being able to educate the community to ensure responsible and humane interactions with animals both wild and domestic. I also love working with the DCAS team, including the volunteers! They are such a wonderful bunch!
Do you have a favorite Animal Control Officer story?
I'm brand new on the job so I don't have a lot of stories yet. On my first day I was able to assist with capturing an injured Red-tailed Hawk. We were able to transport him to Willowbrook Wildlife Center to get the care he needed. It was a very rewarding experience.
What is your favorite animal?
My favorite animal is the Orca!
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 Image provided by The Dogington Post
The second week of April is recognized as National Dog Bite Prevention Week, a time to educate the public and promote responsible and safe interactions with dogs. According to the American Veterinary Association (AVMA), an estimated 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year and the primary victims are children. Dogs do not bite "out of the blue" and will give a number of body language cues to show their discomfort or stress before they commit to a bite. To maintain a healthy, happy, and safe relationship with dogs it is important to educate ourselves on dog body language so that we can best communicate with our canine pals and avoid a situation that can result in a bite.
For more information on dog safety please visit:
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It's spring and love is in the air for our wild neighbors! The weather is warm and the sun is shining (sometimes), and our wild friends are out stretching their legs, looking for food, and searching for a mate! This means that wild animals will be more active and may be out during the day (nothing to worry about!). While we may enjoy watching our wild friends fro afar it's not always so pleasurable when they move in next door. Trapping and moving wildlife without a trappers license from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is illegal and can also be harmful to your local ecosystem. There are a number of ways to safely and humanely discourage wild visitors from entering your yard or home to prevent unwanted encounters.
Willowbrook Wildlife Center offers many excellent resources to help make your backyard a little less attractive to your wild neighbors.
For more information please visit the University of Illinois Extension Living with Wildlife in Illinois webpage.
**Winky the owl, pictured above, was found injured by a West Chicago Police Officer and transported to Willowbrook Wildlife Center by DCAS's Officer Anthony.**
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Wednesday, May 8th is the next meeting of the Pages & Purrs book club. We will be discussing Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched The World, a tale of an abandoned kitten who captured the hearts of animal lovers everywhere.
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Free to participate. Haven't finished the book yet? No worries! Come for the company and good company anyway!
Register for Pages & Purrs!
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Summer is quickly approaching and DCAS staff and volunteers are gearing up to welcome kids back for the fun and exciting summer camps offered at the shelter. Each summer camp has a special theme designed to appeal to future animal advocates.
To learn more about the summer programs offered and to download a registration form visit the shelter's Humane Education page. Feel free to contact our Humane Education department at humane.education@dupageco.org with any questions!
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Sunday, May 5th- Cinco De Meow- Be sure to hug your cat!
Sunday, May 5th- DCAS will be attending A.DO.P.T.'s Making Strides for Strays Walk-A-Thon
Wednesday, May 8th- Pages & Purrs Book Club meeting
Saturday, June 29th – DCAS is partnering with HSUS to offer the DuPage County Puppy Mill Workshop. This workshop is free and open to the public to attend. Learn what you can do to join in the fight against puppy mills. For more information or to register visit: https://hsuspuppymillworkshop.brownpapertickets.com
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