What if Illinois Humane did not exist? When seeking your support, our appeal for your dollars is best grounded in the answer to this question.
Illinois Humane fills a gap in the local community, providing veterinary intervention for animals in critical need that come into the custody of animal control. The majority of these animals are transferred to Illinois Humane’s custody where we support their full recovery and placement. As well, Illinois Humane provides medical and behavioral rehabilitation and placement for the animals that are the victims of humane neglect and cruelty cases handled by Illinois Humane’s investigators. The significant care these animals require is not consistently available from other local organizations. This work allows animals coming into the public charge to receive high level diagnostics, treatment and medical support from private veterinary clinics during these times of a perceived veterinary shortage, particularly a shortage of shelter veterinarians. Our long standing, experienced foster homes provide the safety net needed for the animals to make a full recovery and our foster homes assist in the careful placement of each animal in a fully informed, appropriate forever home.
See “Our Stories, the Summer of 2022"
Illinois Humane’s investigators respond to an average of 200 complaints of neglect and abuse each year. These matters are professionally handled, whatever might be required – education, assistance, or case preparation for prosecution. This work is an important manpower and resource contribution toward the goal of enforcement of Illinois’ renown animal protection provisions.
Illinois Humane’s principals have a unique expertise in animal law, allowing the organization to conduct sophisticated animal protection advocacy. Illinois Humane has spearheaded an Illinois bill that will establish special advocates to assist with prosecutions concerning animal crimes. Successfully modeled by the enactment of similar legislation in Connecticut, these attorney advocates assist the courts both with this specialized area of law and by securing proper attention and care for the subject animals during pendency of the case. This bill, SB 153, has passed the Illinois Senate and is currently under consideration in the Illinois House.
The organization’s advocacy work includes consulting for and assisting with local situations across the state and even nationally. Animal protection and public safety issues are handled at the local level and receive a variable level of resources that is dependent upon the commitment of the local administrations. Local activists and advocates often need assistance understanding the fundamental applicable law as well as effective means of working with government officials. Locally in Sangamon County, Illinois Humane has been dedicated to work toward needed reforms.
Illinois Humane works cooperatively with other shelters and rescues to generally assist with animals in need. The organization is part of local and state networks that respond to crisis situations as they arise. Such as two more stories from this summer’s intake census, one is posted to your right.
Please join our family of caring people . . . . caring for animals. Together we are the safety net, at a time of crisis and calamity, for animals in desperate need. Our advocacy is a professional platform for justice for these animals and a continuing focus on the protection of animals in our society as a whole. Your support is greatly appreciated.
