County Board Tables Animal Control Name Change
Kane County Board members tabled a motion Tuesday that would have changed the name of the Animal Control department to Animal Care and Control.
The board voted 12-9 to table the motion, which will go back to standing committee for further discussion.
According to the draft ordinance provided in the Kane County Board agenda packet, officials sought the name change to “better reflect the operation and mission of the department.”
The department’s primary responsibilities are to “control and prevent the spread of rabies and to exercise dog and cat overpopulation and control,” as well as to “investigate claims made under the Animal Control Act.” But in addition to those duties, it is a service organization “dedicated to protecting and caring for all the animals within Kane County.”
The name change was sought by former interim Animal Control administrator Rob Sauceda, who resigned Wednesday after being placed on paid leave May 1 due an undisclosed personnel matter.
Fifth District board member Melissa Taylor noted that “the resolution was done by a presenter who is no longer with Kane County” and suggested the County Board hold off on the motion because of the expenses involved with the name change — including but not limited to changing the name on letterhead, business cards, department vehicles and buildings.
“This is not the right time to take that forward,” she said.
Seventeenth District Board member Deborah Allan said she liked the “mindset” of the name change because it shows “we’re not just thinking about doing away with animals, we’re thinking about caring,” but she also favored examining the mission of the department overall and waiting for the hiring of a new administrator before taking action.
“In other words, we do it in a meaningful way,” she said.
Mark Davoust, 14th District board member, agreed that the board should look at the mission statement.
“If we want to change (the mission), that’s fine,” he said. “But let’s do that first before we change the name. Let’s not get the cart before the horse.”
Board member Monica Silva (District 7) said she would support the name change.
“It sends a very good message: We’re not just Animal Control,” she said. “Animal Care and Control speaks to what our mission is.”
Eleventh District Board member Mike Donahue voted in favor of tabling the motion, although he said he would have voted against the name change had a motion come to the floor Tuesday. Donahue said his concern was that the name change implies additional duties and an expanded role for the department.
“I don’t want to support an expansion of local government,” he said.
AMENDING THE KANE COUNTY CODE TO REFLECT KANE COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL NAME CHANGE TO KANE COUNTY ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL
WHEREAS, the Illinois Animal Control Act, 510 ILCS 5/5 states that it shall be the duty of
Animal Control Administrator, to control and prevent the spread of rabies and to exercise dog and cat
overpopulation and control and to investigate claims made under the Animal Control Act; and
WHEREAS, in addition to these duties, Kane County Animal Control is a service organization
to the residents of Kane County and their pets; and
WHEREAS, Kane County Animal Control is dedicated to protecting and caring for all the
animals within Kane County; and
WHEREAS, the Kane County Board desires to change the name of Kane County Animal
Control to Kane County Animal Care and Control to better reflect the operation and mission of the
department.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED that Kane County Animal Control will now be known
as Kane County Animal Care and Control; and
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the Kane County Code be amended to accommodate this
name change by replacing all instances of “Kane County Animal Control” or “Animal Control” with
“Kane County Animal Care and Control” or “Animal Care and Control” in all sections set forth in the
attached Exhibit A.
I think we all understand what this division of government is responsible for. This name change is NOT a proposal to clear up some widespread misconception
by the public on what your objectives are – this is simply a name change to sound more “politically correct”. Whenever something like this ends up costing
the taxpayer money to change signage, etc. then it should only be considered if absolutely needed for the public you serve! It’s not needed.
The first “mission” of every body of government should be a pledge to spend our taxpayer dollars wisely. This is frivolous spending.
We know what you do. Are you really “animal care?”. Can I drop my pooch off while I’m on vacation. Are you a vet? No, obviously.
That’s what “animal care” means to most people – boarding, vet care and the like. ‘Control’ should be exactly what your mission is –
to control the animal population, in an effort to protect the citizens of Kane county from rabid dogs going around, or coyotes, attacking our pets and kids, etc, etc.
Now, of course you already do so in a CARING and humane way – you’re not out there launching missiles at mangy coyotes.
However, recognizing the need to placate those who insist on spending taxpayer money on these frivolous inititatives, why not incorporate
CARING into your mission statement: For example:
CHICAGO POLICE (the name of the organization)
to protect and serve (the mission)
ANIMAL CONTROL
For the protection and CARE of all animals
See, real simple. Thousand’s of dollars saved. (You’re welcome.
It’s exactly this type of thinking, these types of proposals, that pass vote, get implemented and cost money that are burying out state.
Oh, sure – maybe it’t only 10k to change all the signage, cards, etc. That’s a drop in the bucket with all the tax revenue you’re bringing in.
That’s the way it’s looked at unfortunately. But take all these “types” of inititatives, multiple ones we’re not even aware of at the Kane county level, times all the counties in the state,
and it’t no wonder why Ilinois is broke.
No wonder 90+% of the people who live in this corrupt, broke state would move away – 93% for Kane county! .
No one wants to be a good steward of our money around here, and we’re sick of it.
Sounds like this department has more problems then changing it’s name. Love the fact that officials won’t comment on why an employee resigns, yet says there is also another employee involved. The word has been on the street about this issue for over a week now. Why not officially tell the taxpayers what happened?
The existing “Animal Control” name is good, I don’t see a need to change the department’s name and add any expense for the county. A mission statement change is okay as long as it does not add cost.
A top to bottom audit should be performed at animal control. A taxpayer can’t even pay to obtain a homeless pet without massive roadblocks from the staff. Animals go unplaced, and live their lives in the cages of animal control. I hate to think that ac is hoarding animals in order to make themselves important. How much taxpayer money is being spent on this operation?