  With the recent run of hot days, it’s always good to remember how the heat can affect our pets as well as our electricity bills. Heatstroke is a serious condition that can cause significant damage or even be fatal if not properly treated. Pets with certain conditions will be more susceptible to heat related illnesses:
- Seniors
- Obese
- Thick or dark hair coats
- Short-muzzled (brachycephalic)
Tips to beat the heat this summer:
- Never leave a pet alone in a parked car
- Don’t exercise during the hottest parts of the day
- Provide access to plenty of water all the time
- Keep animal spaces well-ventilated and cool
- Provide enrichment inside
- Give cool treats like ice cubes or frozen stuffed toys
- Offer shaded areas when outside
 If you suspect your pet is suffering from heatstroke, get them to a cool space, use damp, cool towels to bring down their temperature, and contact your veterinarian for guidance. Serious cases can cause permanent damage to our pet’s internal organs or even death. Remember, our dogs love to please us, so it is up to us to keep the weather in mind and keep our furry friends safe.
Click the image above to learn more about the signs of heatstroke and keeping your pet safe.
 Dr. Barbara Hanek,
Veterinarian Administrator
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Brittany I - Certified Veterinary Technician
Originally from Will County, Brittany now lives in DuPage County bringing with her years of medical experience. Working in different animal clinics around Chicagoland, she was interested in expanding into shelter medicine and jumped at the chance to help out her new community through a position at DCAS. A mother of four children, four dogs, three cats, and two ferrets, Brittany has a lot of moving parts in her life - perfectly suited to the busy shelter environment.
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Lily A - Animal Caretaker I
Coming from Danada Veterinary Hospital, Lily worked as a kennel attendant and assisted vet staff with procedures, exams, and other medical related tasks. Lily understands how powerful and life-changing adoption can be, both for humans and animals. Her middle names, Marie and Meizhou, reflect her journey from China to the US as a baby. She is thrilled to help homeless pets find their forever homes and help make a difference in their lives. She loves all kinds of animals and has a Bichon Frise mix and a calico cat at home.
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Liz A - Animal Client Services Coordinator
Interning at Bloomington Animal Care and Control during her senior year at Indiana University showed Liz how open admission shelters serve animals and the community. A total cat person, Liz has some feisty felines at home to cuddle up with when she's watching the Green Bay Packers: Tilly, a dilute tortie, and Sadie a dark grey domestic shorthair. As a child, Liz convinced her parents to get a cat through a persuasive essay and they've never regretted it.
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Lynette D - Animal Client Services Coordinator
Lynette has a giant soft spot in her heart for bully breeds and has been working with rescues in the area since 2012. As president of a local pit bull rescue, Lynette is excited to work with the community in a new way - providing more support for animals in need. Her personal animals reflect her passions for all animals big, small, vampiric, and otherwise: Bianca a pit mix, Joe a chihuahua, and three rats (Guillermo, Lazlo, and Colin Robinson). Lynette is especially eager for the opportunity to help residents love their local wildlife: from bats to possums.
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Kaz has her schedule all figured out. Too hot? Sleep. Too cold? Sleep. Just woke up? Sleep. 5 seconds of play? Sleep.
This senior lady is looking for a retirement crash pad. At 11 years old, she's interested in slow walks by your side and generally taking things easy.
Kaz's inner puppy sneaks out every once in a while - click her picture to see her playing in a foster home!
Fill out an application today to meet the sweetest senior.
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 As the temperatures continue to rise outside, please do not leave your dogs unsupervised in a vehicle. On a 75 degree day in just under 10 minutes, a closed vehicle can reach a life-threatening temperature of 100 degrees on the inside. If you plan on going into a location, please leave your dogs at home or leave your car running with air conditioning. Dogs can suffer from heatstroke/exhaustion even with vehicle windows cracked and it can lead to death or permanent organ damage.
If you ever have a concern for a dog left in a vehicle, please call 911. It is illegal to leave your dog in a confined motor vehicle in such a matter that places it in a life-threatening situation such as prolonged exposure to heat without proper ventilation or protection according to the Illinois Humane Care Act (510 ILCS 70/7.1). Our pets depend on us to make decisions for their safety – don’t risk it. It is much better to leave a dog safe in a home than risk their health in a hot vehicle.
 $100 per participant.
Registration is valid 2 years.
Call 630-407-2808 to register. Slots are available first come, first served.
This course teaches first aid techniques to address the most common emergencies that can occur with small and large dogs as well as cats. This course will train you to notice abnormalities and detect early warning signs in pets. You will also learn essential pre-vet care and life saving techniques for those times when immediate action can make all the difference.
August 20, 2022 9am-3pm
November 5, 2022 9am-3pm
Join us at 7pm select Thursday nights all year long! Follow the links provided to register.
Are you Ready for a Red-Eared Slider? – July 7, 2022 7pm-8pm
Many families add red-eared slider turtles to their families during the summer. But what do these aquatic animals need? Learn all about these animals and how to care for them.
Registration Link: https://bit.ly/3NfAeno
Basic Pet First Aid – July 21, 2022 7pm-8pm
Learn how to tend to your pet in a crisis. This presentation will cover preventative care, how to treat wounds, broken bones, choking, and more.
Registration Link: https://bit.ly/3FRUrgN
Fostering Success – August 4, 2022 7pm-8pm
Fostering an animal is very rewarding. It can also be tough. Get advice on how to set your foster animal up for success. Learn about decompression, common stress signs, and how to introduce the new animal into your home.
Registration Link: https://bit.ly/3MkupoG
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