Animal Care and Control (AC&C) 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. AC&C 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 AC&C 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.