County Board: Animal Control and Protection Services

Beginning May 1, 2010, Peoria County will resume responsibility for animal control and protection services upon termination of a 25-year agreement between the County, the City of Peoria, and the Peoria Humane Society. This agreement provided for animal control and protection services through the City of Peoria. Under Illinois law, county governments are required to administer basic animal control services, such as a rabies registration and bite investigation. Another entity can, however, provide the services if willing; hence, the previous arrangement with the City of Peoria.

Since the City Council's vote to terminate the animal control agreement in December 2009, County and City staff have been working together to ensure a smooth transition of animal control and protection services so all residents of Peoria County can experience the same or enhanced levels of service that they have grown accustomed to.

The first step in this transition phase was establishing animal control and protection services as a core function of County government. The County Board did so at its January board meeting. The next step was to develop a service model that assigns existing and expanded animal control and protection programs to one of three core functions: public safety, nuisance abatement, and animal welfare. The model was approved by the Board at its February meeting.

Peoria County is committed to providing exceptional animal control and protection services to our citizens. Resuming responsibility for these services meets the County Board's goals of a Safe & Healthy Community, High Performing Public Organization, and World Class Public Facilities.

For more information on the transition and establishment of animal control and protection services, please review the following documents.

Management Services Committee documents
Core Service Resolution
Service Model Resolution

More documents will be posted on the County Board's information library as they become available.