The Cook County Animal and Rabies Control was established in 1954, when the Illinois Animal Control Act was enacted by the state legislature during a state-wide rabies epidemic. Animal control is a term often misunderstood in most urban communities. It is frequently thought to be no more than a change from the expression of dog catcher-dog pound. In reality an Animal Control program is a multifaceted concept involving local government, public health, media cooperation, public education and citizen participation in cooperation with specialists in animal health, care and control. Cook County Animal and Rabies Control reflect this multifaceted concept through a myriad of programs.
Mission
- Prevent the transmission of rabies from animal to man through vaccination, registration, education, legislation and surveillance.
- Decrease pet over-population by promoting spay/neuter programs.
- Ensure the compliance of quarantine protocol for all animal bite incidents to prevent the transmission of rabies.
- Prevent cruelty and abuse of animals pursuant to State and County laws.
Services include:
- Spay and Neuter Program
- Stray Patrol
- Community Partnership Program
- Community Assistance Program
- Education Program
- Pet Return Service
- Pet Registration Program (Rabies Tags)
In The Company of Dogs
Spring has finally arrived and everyone is out enjoying the sun and outdoor activities. During Spring and Summer months both people and dogs are out more. Unfortunately, dogs may not always be accompanied by their owner; therefore, it is very important that children and adults understand what to do when faced with unattended dogs. It is natural that children may want to pet these animals but, they must not do so for safety sake. Please click below to see the video on the do’s and don’ts regarding approaching unattended or attended dogs.
Rabies Vaccine and Microchip Clinic
The Cook County Animal and Rabies Control clinics, provide affordable rabies vaccinations to bring all citizens into compliance with the law, while providing an essential public health protection against a deadly disease that has caused public health concerns.
Rabies is almost always fatal. But it is easily avoided if pet owners follow the law. Other rabies preventative measures include; containing your pet to the house, yard or leash, and avoiding wildlife, no matter how cute it looks.
Rabies vaccines will cost $7 for a one year and $21 for a three year. Ferrets may only be vaccinated for one year and the cost of the vaccine is $9. Pet owners can have their pets micro-chipped for $10; however, this does not include the national registration fee.
Do not delay– have your pet vaccinated today!
Microchip Clinic
Cook County Animal and Rabies Control also provides free microchips to all Cook County residents that purchase a rabies vaccination; however the pet owner is required to pay a one-time $19.95 National registration fee to PETrac Pet recovery. At our clinics we assist the pet owner with completing the registration forms to ensure that the pet is properly registered. The microchip is not a GPS, it can not show the location of the lost pet. It is important for pet owners to register their pet with the microchip company from which the microchip was derived (forms will be provided). If pet owners did not register their pet’s microchip from previous clinics please contact our office to obtain information about enrollment.
Spay and Neuter Program
During the month of February Cook County Animal Control offers a Spay and Neuter Program,a $40 rebate for neutering your dog, cat or ferret. For this month get a $40 rebate when you have your cat, dog or ferret spayed or neutered.
To be eligible:
- Pets must be owned by Cook County Residents
- Limit of two (2) pets total per household
- Must show proof of your pet being current with the rabies vaccine
- Must have a Cook County rabies tag
This rebate provides pet owners with a $40 savings on veterinary bills for spay and neutering.
