Committee approves adoption contract pending state's attorney review; hears animal‑control stats and boarding fee discussion

The Iroquois County Health Committee moved to accept a new adoption contract, with formal approval contingent on the state's attorney's sign‑off.

Staff explained the contract had been added to the back of the existing adoption application to clarify owner relinquishment, an owner surrender fee, and a 72‑hour veterinary return window tied to refund rules. "If your application is approved, you sign the contract... the biggest thing with the contract is I wanna make sure we are free of liability once we adopt the animal out," staff said.

A committee member moved to accept the contract pending the state's attorney, and the chair called the question; the committee voted in favor.

The meeting also included operational updates: staff reported the animal control deposit and activity numbers, including 49 calls for service this month, three dogs adopted, 11 returned to owners and animals in foster care. Environmental/public‑health staff reviewed kennel/boarding rates and facility panels; committee members asked staff to survey commercial boarding rates and return with recommended pricing and revenue estimates.

On fund accounting, staff noted a $2,500 spay/neuter budget line with little spending to date, and explained that some vet care costs have been charged to a separate vet‑care line rather than the spay/neuter line. Members discussed using the animal population control fund to subsidize microchip clinics if the committee elects to promote chip uptake without a mandate.

The boarding agreement and the University of Illinois sample contract were placed on next month's agenda for further legal and insurance review.