KANKAKEE COUNTY, Ill. — Carrie Laird, director of Animal Control, told the Criminal Justice Committee on Oct. 15 that the department took in 30 dogs following a search-warrant seizure under the Humane Care for Animals Act and that the shelter's animal inventory briefly exceeded planned capacity.

Laird said the facility was designed to handle about 60 dogs on a bad day but that the agency had about 100 animals during the period; staff worked extra shifts and several regional rescues — River Valley Humane Foundation, Tales, Illinois Dover Marine Rescue Plus, Forever Love, Cache Creek Humane Society of Central Illinois and Adopt All — accepted animals to relieve the shelter’s load.

Laird thanked staff and partner rescues for assisting with the intake and said most animals had been transferred out to rescues. The committee accepted the animal-control monthly report by voice vote.

Why it matters: large seizure operations can strain shelter capacity and budget; coordinated rescue assistance reduced facility burden and affected animal-care logistics in the short term.