"IT'S IRONIC" City's Animal Care has cut adoption schedule from 49 hours a week to 17

[tencats]

July 21, 2009
BY FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter

Chicago's 2009 vehicle sticker features a dog with a city flag stuck in its mouth above the slogan, "Dog Friendly Chicago."

Somebody forgot to tell the Commission on Animal Care and Control.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/cityhall/1676266,CST-NWS-dog21.article

Meanwhile, voluntary surrenders of dogs are up at least 20 percent.
"Since the economy went south, there are even more fancy dogs coming in,"
Animal Care and Control euthanized 17,159 animals in 2006 and had hoped to hold the number of cats and dogs put to sleep this year down to 10,000, according to the mayor's budget.
Noting that the city receives a $65 adoption fee, Feutz said, "Adoptions are a revenue source for the shelter. If you close your doors and cut your hours by two-thirds, you're cutting revenue and increasing expenses. It's shortsighted."

[sinkingfeeling]

1. I just can't bring myself to read the article. I know it will upset me. This doesn't seem like the

way to become a no-kill city.

[lindisfarne]

2. I see the point you're making = maybe with potential adoptees visiting, they can't get the animals

fed, watered, & kennels cleaned out.

And by cutting adoptions (due to limited adoption hours), you increase the number of animals that need to be adopted. Are there any no-kill shelters they could interface with to take some animals off their hands?
You'd think they would put out a call for volunteers - except then maybe they're worried about lawsuits. They could try a call for donations?

[joeybee12]

3. Most shelters, even government-run ones use volunteers...

...someone there needs to start a media blitz and get the word out...I think if people realized how many animals are in need they would be willing to give a few hours.