2, 4, 6, 8, We Need to Appreciate Shelters!

dcas
A message from our Veterinarian AdministratorAnimal Shelter Appreciation Week

Animal Shelter Wish List…Kindness?

This newsletter is unlike any other I have written. Instead of focusing on animals, I have to tell you how amazing our staff is at DuPage County Animal Services (DCAS). This week is National Shelter Appreciation Week and, as individuals, each staff member is compassionate, incredibly hardworking, positive, and bright. As a group, we understand that we are stronger together. We understand our mission of Saving Animals and Serving People but often our care for the animal comes at the expense of our own well-being.

Compassion fatigue has been described as the “cost of caring”. Counselor Jennifer Blough defines it as “the emotional and physical toll of caring for others, whether it’s people or animals who are suffering or who have been traumatized”. As an open municipal shelter, DCAS is often presented with animals (whether they be relinquished or brought in as strays) that are emaciated, fearful, severely matted or worse. Our staff opens up their hearts and goes up and above to work together to improve the life of the animal. Even though our lifesaving rate is near 90%, there are situations where an animal is euthanized due to a severe medical or behavioral problem. The same staff that has loved and cared for the animal has to cope with the sadness that the animal may not be adoptable. Most people who do not work in a municipal animal shelter have no idea of this heart-breaking, silent burden.

At an animal shelter there’s all the normal stresses of a regular job but there are additional stressors too. Relatively new stressors to the animal welfare field are all the hurtful comments made by people on social media who have no intention or ability to truly help. Online negativity is particularly hurtful to individuals already carrying the silent burden of pain. Unfortunately, the animal welfare community is no stranger to alcohol/drug abuse, and even suicide. National Shelter Appreciation Week is a great reminder for all of us to just be kind to each other. Be kind not only to the shelter animals but the shelter staff who offer their energy, time, and passion to save those animals.

Dr. Hanek Signature

Dr. Barbara Hanek,

Veterinarian Administrator


How You Can Help

How To Help Local Shelter
DAF logo

To learn more about how you can help DuPage County Animal Services, visit our website. The Get Involved tab has many opportunities and ideas. 

We also encourage you to visit DuPage Animal Friends, visit their website by clicking on their logo. They are able to help the shelter animals and staff in countless ways. Follow us both on social media. 


On Call with an Officer

Officer Clayton with her dog

Holiday Safety

with Officer Clayton

Tis the season to remind owners about responsible pet ownership! The holiday season can bring a flurry of stressful changes for pets. Are your clients prepared? Be sure to discuss the following with pet owners to help prevent bites, lost pets, and other safety concerns:

  • Does the owner have an area in the home to contain their pet while people are arriving and/or visiting? Does this prevent pets from escaping outdoors?
  • No matter the season, pets should be microchipped. Pets should also wear proper ID tags (name tag and rabies tag) if they will be outdoors and/or leaving the owner’s property.
  • Always supervise children and visitors around pets, even if they are familiar with the animal.
  • Owners should observe for signs of stress or discomfort in their pet. Make sure the pet has a designated space away from people. Consider a puzzle toy with treats if contained.

Thanks for helping us keep both people and pets safe this holiday season!


Animal Shelters are Overrun with Rabbits

Mittens and Snowflake

This year, DCAS has faced many challenges, but unique to our area is our bunny challenge. Unlike many municipal shelters, DuPage County Animal Services will take in rabbits, strays and owner surrenders. And this year we've seen an incredible amount of surrendered rabbits. We hope our extensive outreach efforts through social media and educational events will help our residents stem the tide of incoming rabbits. 

Mittens and Snowflake are a good example of one source of the rabbit population - Rabbit Parents and accidental litters. There is no guarantee the two female rabbits purchased in pet stores are actually females unless you have them checked out by a veterinarian. And since rabbit pregnancies are only pregnant for about 30 days (and then get pregnant again on the SAME DAY), sometimes rabbit owners find surprise rabbits very quickly. 

Don't hold their stereotypical background against them though. Mittens and Snowflake are wonderful bun companions. Pairs of rabbits do much better together and adopting a bonded pair from the beginning means you don't have to go through the long and sometimes disappointing bonding process. These 6 month old beauties are doing wonderful with the adults and children in their foster home. Click on their picture to learn more about caring for rabbits and deciding if buns are right for you! 


Join the Team Image

Do you have a passion for helping homeless animals? DuPage County Animal Services has many open positions. 

Find job openings by following these steps: 

  1. Visit: https://www.dupageco.org/jobs/ 
  2. Select "View Job Opportunities County Board Departments"
  3. Filer by Job Category "Animal Services"
  4. Select each job position to learn more.

Fill out an application today! 


Updated Hours at DCAS

Temporarily, DCAS is suspending operating hours on Saturdays. 

Current Hours are: 

  • Monday: 8am-7pm
  • Tuesday-Wednesday: 8am-4:30pm
  • Thursday: 8am-7pm
  • Friday: 8am-4:30pm
  • Saturday-Sunday: CLOSED

Upcoming Webinars

Cat at computer

Join us at 7pm select Thursday nights all year long! Follow the links provided to register. 

Solutions with Animal Services - November 4, 2021

Learn about the services provided by DuPage County Animal Services and the many ways we protect animals and serve humans.

Registration Link: https://bit.ly/3fLCSmq

Holiday Pet Safety - November 18, 2021

From big dinners to decorative lights, the holidays are a time to shine with family and friends. But how do we keep our furry family members safe? We’ll cover food safety, decorating tips, and advice on keeping stress levels low.

Registration Link: https://bit.ly/3sgbNx7

 

Choosing a Pet Professional - December 2, 2021

We all need pet professionals: dog walkers, groomers, trainers, veterinarians etc. How those professionals work with the animals is extremely important. Learn what to look for in an animal care professional.

Registration Link: https://bit.ly/2VHshlD