Each year, PAWS receives more than 8,000 animals from Peoria and the surrounding community. As an animal control facility/animal shelter, PAWS accepts each and every animal that comes to its doors. Many of these animals come from outside the Peoria County boundaries because other communities do not provide a place for unwanted animals. This continuing influx of homeless pets creates quite a impact on the shelter’s finances and resources.
Dogs and cats make up the majority of animals arriving at PAWS. Approximately 3,500 dogs and 4,700 cats reach the shelter annually. Unfortunately, it remains impossible or even irresponsible to place all these animals back into the community. On the average, about 1,000 of the lost pets find their way home when owners reclaim them. The staff assesses those that don’t get reclaimed for acceptable health and temperament. If the animal can be placed up for adoption, we move him/her into the adoption areas. Those that cannot be placed due to poor health or bad temperament get euthanized (humanely destroyed). Each year, PAWS must euthanize approximately 5,000 dogs, cats, and other animals.
Animal Control Officers respond to more than 16,000 calls for service ranging from animal cruelty complaints to straying animals to animal bite investigations. Officers may issue citations or impound animals for violations; one of the officers’ top priorities is the well-being of the animal. PAWS’ Officers investigate more 450 animal bites to humans each year and more than 600 cases of cruelty and neglect to humans. Obviously, animal control and animal welfare services remain a necessary component to City and County government.
PAWS recently achieved a 74% placement rate for adoptable dogs and a 39% placement rate for adoptable cats. We hope to improve those rates in the coming years. As we move ahead each year, the City, County, and Peoria Humane Society all remain committed to providing services to the citizens and animals of Peoria as well as striving to reduce animal suffering and pet overpopulation in our community. The collaboration among the City, County, and Humane Society allows for the best in service to the community for the animals and the citizens.
For assistance with an animal problem or for more information, contact PAWS at (309)672-2440.