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Peoria County committee accepts $3,000 trust donation and $2,650 cafe fundraiser for animal services; mobile clinic reports 248 procedures
Summary
The Peoria County Public Safety and Justice Committee approved a $3,000 Sedlak trust donation and accepted $2,650 raised by River Kitty Cafe to buy field supplies and shelter equipment. Animal-control staff reported 248 spay/neuter procedures in January–February and said the mobile unit is operating successfully.
The Peoria County Public Safety and Justice Committee on an unspecified date approved two donations to support county animal-control services and heard a monthly update on the department's mobile spay/neuter work.
Becky, animal-control staff, told the committee the department spayed or neutered 248 animals in January and February. "The mobile unit is working great," Becky said, adding that 42 of those animals were community-owned through the program's low-cost spay/neuter option and that the remainder were trap-neuter-return (TNR) cats or adopted animals returned to the community.
The committee voted to accept a $3,000 award from the Sedlak Vaughn Charitable Trust to fund field resources for officers. According to staff, those resources will include dog tie-outs or stakes, cat-deterrent devices, straw and heated water bowls for winter, and a back stock of supplies at the shelter. Committee member Danny moved the motion; Linda seconded. The motion passed.
Committee members also approved accepting $2,650 raised by River Kitty Cafe, a local cat café that partners with county animal services. County staff said River Kitty Cafe adopted about 250 cats during its first year of operation and ran a fundraiser in February. The committee was told the funds and in-kind supplies would be used for items such as air-purifier filters for the cat room, animal enrichment supplies and other shelter needs. Rob moved the motion; Linda seconded. The motion passed.
Becky said the county has identified a local relief veterinarian through Brown Animal Hospital to assist with spay/neuter procedures when the regular veterinarian is unavailable. Staff emphasized that many items funded by the donations are intended for on-site, officer-held inventories so officers can offer them directly in the community and reduce shelter intake.
The committee held questions before each vote; staff confirmed donated items will be stocked both with officers in the field and at the shelter for over-the-counter distribution.
The committee did not specify a follow-up reporting schedule for use of the funds during the meeting.
Looking ahead, staff said the mobile unit will continue TNR work, low-cost community services and adoptions outreach in coordination with partner organizations such as River Kitty Cafe.
