Join Peoria County and the Peoria Humane Society as we recognize and celebrate the work of Peoria County’s Animal Protection Services (PCAPS) during Animal Shelter Appreciation Week November 6 – 12. Created by the Humane Society of the United States in 1996, this week brings attention to the necessary and oftentimes difficult work of animal shelters throughout the country. Locally, PCAPS handles nearly 8,000 animals each year and responds to more than 12,000 calls for service. In addition, PCAPS helps the community by controlling stray animals, ensuring rabies prevention, returning lost pets to their owners, offering animals for adoption, and investigating animal bites and cruelty reports.

While 70% of Americans have a positive attitude about animal shelters, only 20% of new pets come from shelters or rescues. How can citizens help? Every donation, adoption, and volunteer effort serves to spread the word about the plight of homeless animals. And, these animals rely on citizens to report neglect or abuse so aid can arrive. Help PCAPS advance its cause for animals by recognizing the important work of shelters everywhere during Animal Shelter Appreciation Week.

Peoria County’s animal shelter is open to the public for viewing and adopting from noon – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Saturday. The shelter is located at 2600 NE Perry Street in Peoria. Animals at the shelter may also be viewed online by visiting www.peoriacounty.org/pcaps. Call PCAPS for more information at (309) 672-2440.