DuPage County Animal Services

To keep you and our staff safe, we have implemented the following changes to our hours and operations in response to COVID-19: Animal Services is conducting business by appointment Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and Saturday 10:30 AM through 2:30 PM.  All adoptions and owner-surrendered animals are scheduled by appointment only. Adoption consultations are conducted virtually. The public is now required to conduct all rabies tag purchases and requests for spay/neuter vouchers online. No in-person business will be permitted without an appointment, and only one person is allowed in the building at a time. Masks are required at all times. All in-person education events and training are canceled until further notice. Live and recorded educational content is now available online. Staff is available to intake stray animals found in DuPage County, please call ahead for procedural guidance. For additional information, call (630) 407- 2800 or visit www.dupageco.org/animalservices.

Information Regarding Animals and the Coronavirus:

DuPage County Animal Services is committed to serving people and helping pets in a safe way.  Our staff uses hospital-grade disinfectant throughout the shelter and high-traffic, common surfaces are being cleaned throughout the day. Our department is asking employees and volunteers who are sick to stay home. We are also reminding everyone to practice good hygiene to reduce the spread of germs.  At this time, there is no evidence that animals play a significant role in spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. Based on the limited information available to date, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low. More studies are needed to understand if and how different animals could be affected by COVID-19.  To lean more visit the CDC website.

If you, or anyone that you know, is need for assistance in feeding your pet or providing veterinary care please visit the Illinois Department of Agriculture website.

Q: Can animals carry the virus that causes COVID-19 on their skin or fur?

Although we know certain bacteria and fungi can be carried on fur and hair, there is no evidence that viruses, including the virus that causes COVID-19, can spread to people from the skin, fur, or hair of pets.  However, because animals can sometimes carry other germs that can make people sick, it’s always a good idea to practice healthy habits around pets and other animals, including washing hands before and after interacting with them.

Q: Can I use hand sanitizer on pets?

Do not wipe or bathe your pet with chemical disinfectants, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or other products, such as hand sanitizer, counter-cleaning wipes, or other industrial or surface cleaners. If you have questions about appropriate products for bathing or cleaning your pet, talk to your veterinarian. If your pet gets hand sanitizer on their skin or fur, rinse or wipe down your pet with water immediately. If your pet ingests hand sanitizer (such as by chewing the bottle) or is showing signs of illness after use, contact your veterinarian or pet poison control immediately.

Q: What should I do if my pet gets sick and I think it’s COVID-19?

Most pets that have gotten sick from the virus that causes COVID-19 were infected after close contact with a person with COVID-19. Talk to your veterinarian about any health concerns you have about your pets.

If your pet gets sick after contact with a person with COVID-19, call your veterinarian and let them know the pet was around a person with COVID-19. If you are sick with COVID-19, do not take your pet to the veterinary clinic yourself. Some veterinarians may offer telemedicine consultations or other plans for seeing sick pets. Your veterinarian can evaluate your pet and determine the next steps for your pet’s treatment and care. Routine testing of animals for COVID-19 is not recommended at this time.

To learn more please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Events & Important Dates

• In an effort to follow best practices recommended by the CDC for social distancing, all group educational events and volunteer orientations/trainings have been canceled until further notice