• Editor’s Note: This article was written by and the photos are courtesy of Kane County Animal Control’s Tecla Metzel.

On a foggy, damp December day that seemed more like March than three weeks before Christmas, a team of elves from Northwestern Medicine in Warrenville pulled into Kane County Animal Control’s parking lot. Their sleigh was a white van decorated with reindeer antlers, a Rudolph nose and red, green and gold letters that spelled out “Merry Christmas” strung across the front windshield.

Their purpose was to deliver donations to the animals and staff of KCAC collected through Northwestern Medicine’s “Season of Giving” campaign. The campaign ran from Dec. 1-6 with a delivery date of Dec. 7, and was open to all of Northwestern Med’s 8,000-plus employees.

“They certainly did not hold back on their generosity,” Kane County Animal Control Director Brett Youngsteadt said.

There was food for both dogs and cats and toys galore. Treats and beds, bones and tissues, pens, highlighters and more. The lead elf, Stephanie Gregory, manager of HR Programs of Northwestern Medicine, brought along Ann Marie Andexler and Carol Toth to help her drive the sleigh and unload the goodies.

Kane County Animal Control strives to ensure each and every animal that enters the shelter receives the best care possible through good nutrition, medical attention and social and behavioral enrichment. The donations received through the community help to achieve this goal all year long.

“The staff at Kane County Animal Control want to send a huge thank you to everyone at Northwestern Medicine for their kindness in sharing their holiday spirit with the animals at KCAC,” Youngsteadt said. “And for all of the amazing individuals and families who have already donated throughout the year. Our staff could not do what they do without your support.”

Help a Pet During the Holiday Season

During the holiday season, Kane County Animal Control is asking residents to consider giving a gift to a needy animal. For more on the “Season of Giving” campaign, check out this article on Kane County Connects, visit the KCAC website or Facebook page, or the KCAC holiday wish list on Amazon.com.

About Kane County Animal Control

It is the duty of the Animal Control Department to:

• Ensure that all domesticated dogs and cats over 4 months of age are vaccinated against Rabies and have a Kane County Rabies Tag.
• Ensure that all reported animal bites are given precautionary attention in relation to the possibility rabies infection.
• Ensure that pet owners are instructed on proper procedures pertaining to animal bites and enforce adherence to these procedures.
• Contain loose\stray dogs in unincorporated Kane County and those towns and villages with whom contracted.
• Investigate nuisance dog complaints in unincorporated Kane County and those towns and villages with whom contracted.
• Investigate complaints of neglected and\or abused dogs.

For more information, visit the Kane County Animal Control website and Facebook page!

Animal Control Ordinance

Kane County ordinances relating to animals can be found by downloading the Kane County Ordinance material.