On May 24, 2022, the DuPage County Board approved the expansion and renovation of the DuPage County Animal Services Shelter Building.
DuPage County Animal Services (DCAS) is a non-tax payer funded, open admission animal shelter that cares for all domestic species of animals from cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs, hamsters, reptiles, barnyard animals, and other exotic pets.
The current shelter building no longer meets the needs of the many species of animals they care for or provides sufficient work spaces for all the staff and volunteers. DCAS continues to not only be an open and welcoming place for people and pets in DuPage County, but has increasingly been providing services for animals in surrounding counties where resources are limited.
The new shelter design will allow DuPage County Animal Services to:
Provide modern, stress-reducing, and healthy housing for animals.
Allow the shelter to have more welcoming and appropriate spaces for the public to be counseled on services and solutions with animals.
Expand opportunities for residents to benefit from animal related educational and training classes.
Provide more functional and supportive spaces for staff and volunteers.
Create a more public, warm and inviting place that promotes volunteerism, adoption, fostering, humane education, and sense of community for people that love animals.
Provide the best care and find the best outcomes for animals.
Working with Knight Engineering, Animal Arts and RWE Design Build, DCAS has put the physical and mental health of animals as well as safety for pets and people at the forefront of the new shelter design. Some highlights of the new spaces include:
A separate Intake/Resource area that includes a lobby and counseling rooms that are separate from the main shelter entrance. This limits disease spread and increases safety and privacy during the intake process.
Expanded space for animal housing includes dedicated small animal areas, additional dog kennels and separate cat rooms. Difference species can finally be separated more appropriately.
Large Meeting Room/Flex Space to be used for animal training and enrichment, group events, or emergency housing.
New adoption counseling rooms.
"Real Life Room" designed to resemble a home environment so dogs can have an opportunity to decompress while in the shelter and have a quiet, comforting space to practice essential skills.
Expanded Surgical & Medical Suite to allow for more appropriate standards of operating and care.
Several outdoor dog spaces to facilitate dog play groups and physical exercise.
DuPage County Animal Services is a gem of a resource in our community. Now is the time to give them the much needed space for modern programs, and allow for the compassionate care, socialization, enrichment, and training for unwanted and abandoned pets. This new state-of-the-art facility will enhance the quality of life of the animals during their stay at the shelter and be a valuable resource to people in our community.
Your gift is going to help homeless pets receive a second chance at a happy and healthy life.
