December 21, 2015

Chicago Undergoing Nationwide Search for New Executive Director of Animal Care and Control

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

Mayor Rahm Emanuel today announced that an expansive search is underway to hire a new Executive Director for the Commission on Animal Care and Control (CACC). The City has been working with national animal advocacy organizations and local animal welfare groups to identify qualified candidates for the open position.

“The Commission's Executive Director is an important position charged with improving the quality of life for all Chicagoans as it relates to animals. Finding the right candidate will help the city expand on the improvements CACC has already made and ensure Chicago becomes a national leader on animal welfare," said Rosa Escareno, Deputy Chief Operating Officer. "To ensure we find the best person for the job, the city is casting a broad net beyond Chicago and is working closely with animal welfare organizations to ensure community input."

The position became vacant in October after the previous Executive Director retired. As part of the process, the City has been in ongoing dialogue with local animal welfare leader organizations as well as advocacy groups to garner their input as the City seeks new leadership at CACC. “The goal is to work even more closely with our local leadership to secure the right candidate,” added Escareno.

With new leadership, CACC will continue to work to maximize lives saved while fulfilling equally important duties to respond to animal related service requests and assist in ensuring public health and safety as it relates to animals.

CACC intakes some 20,000 animals annually and has built a strong partnership with more than 150 rescue organizations and more than 200 volunteers to expand on programs to reduce euthanasia, increase live outcomes and improve quality of life through education and available resources. The ideal candidate would build upon recent CACC success and improvements such as an 18.25 percent decrease in impoundments in the first half of 2015. During that same period, the commission achieved sharp decreases in euthanasia, especially for cats and smaller dogs, and an increased percentage of animals adopted from CACC, transferred to humane societies and rescue groups, or reunited with their owner. The total number of animals euthanized this year is down 27 percent from 2014.

A detailed job description can be found here, along with instructions on how to apply.