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McLean County amends animal code, adopts appointment system; new shelter nears completion
Summary
The Finance Committee unanimously approved an ordinance amending Chapter 165 (Animals) to standardize terminology and allow appointment‑based intake; fee changes were pulled for later review. Animal Control reported adoption, transfer and vaccination activity and progress on a new shelter building.
The McLean County Finance Committee unanimously approved an ordinance Feb. 5 amending Chapter 165 of the McLean County Code to standardize language and allow staff to manage animal intake by appointment.
“Having an appointment based system really does help us do that and triage those on a much, easier process for us,” Director Marshall Thompson said as she described the code updates. Thompson said the amendment also clarified holding periods — extending the three‑day window to “three full business days” — and made other language changes to refer broadly to “animals” rather than specific species.
Committee members voted in favor with a voice vote. The committee also pulled a separate agenda item proposing fee changes in the animal control code for discussion at a later working session.
Thompson gave the committee an operational update, saying the new shelter building is “looking fantastic” and is nearing completion. She thanked partner organizations for transfers and placements and provided January statistics: 52 pets adopted or transferred (including transfers to Humane Society of Central Illinois and Wishbone Canine Rescue), 26 cats and 17 dogs transferred, 10 dogs and 2 cats reclaimed, 36 microchips, 6 rabies vaccinations, 22 rabies investigations, and a total of 13 feline spays and 17 canine spays reported for the month.
Thompson encouraged prospective volunteers and foster caregivers to contact the Animal Control office and reminded residents that wildlife questions are routed to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources or the county program for triage.
Committee members asked about the future of the old building; Thompson said informal discussions had been held with Benward (the donor of the current space) about the potential for them to take over the old facility but that no formal arrangement had been made.
