Animal Care & Control

Animal Care and Control is designed to prevent the spread of rabies through vaccinations and education, support a database of registered dogs and cats, and maintain a lost and found network. Staff are responsible for enforcing county ordinances and state laws pertaining to animal-related complaints.

Investigations are done regarding nuisance complaints, allegations of animal cruelty or neglect, as well as reports of stray, roaming or injured animals; or dangerous, vicious or biting animals. In efforts to help control the unwanted pet population, the Animal Care and Control program provides spay and neuter assistance to low-income residents of Lake County.

Staff at the Animal Care and Control provides the following services:

  • Enforce animal control laws, including Lake County Ordinances and Policies, and Illinois Statutes
  • Maintain a lost and found pet database
  • Provide interim shelter and care for stray and unwanted animals and transport to adoption centers
  • Investigate complaints of nuisance and/or threatening animals
  • Provide emergency rescue of injured and sick stray animals
  • Investigate incidents of animal bites and/or scratches
  • Observe impounded biting animals
  • Submit specimens to the State of Illinois laboratory for rabies testing
  • Present educational programs to schools and community and civic groups
  • Provide animal control support services to Sheriff and municipal police departments upon request
  • Provide spay/neuter assistance to qualified pet owners.
  • Provide rabies tags through Lake County veterinarians.
  • Host pet clinics to provide low-cost pet vaccinations.

Featured Services

Spay/Neuter Assistance

We provide spay/neuter assistance to qualified pet owners. To find out if you qualify for services, please complete and submit an application. Pre- or post-surgical expenses may be incurred. 

If submitting online, right-click on the application link, then click 'Save link as...'. Then, open the application in a PDF reader. You will not be able to click the submit button if the application is opened in your browser.

Low-Cost Pet Vaccinations and Microchips

All dogs and cats in Lake County are required to be vaccinated against rabies and registered. Low-cost pet vaccinations are an affordable way to keep pets up to date with their shots and be in compliance with the rabies vaccination/registration requirements. 

Learn more

Rabies Tags and Registration Fees

Every dog and cat older than 4 months residing in Lake County must be vaccinated against rabies and be registered.  

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Animal Care & Control Ordinances and Acts

Wildlife Resources

Click on the links below to learn more.