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Animal Care and Control - General

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1. Are there public areas where I can let my dog run free?

Yes. Hasselroth Dog Park is located at 28th Street and 78th Avenue West in Rock Island, Illinois. 

2. Are there rabies in the Rock Island County area?

There have been reported positive cases of rabies in wildlife in the State of Illinois, therefore it is imperative that you keep your pet vaccinated to protect them should then encounter wildlife.

3. Are there ways people can help the shelter?

A large part of our Shelter's success in placing adoptable pets depends upon contributions from citizens like you! We are continually looking for dedicated volunteers to assist our staff. For more information concerning volunteer work and opportunities, click here!

We are also always in need of extra towels, blankets, soft dog or cat food, pet carriers, and chew toys for our dogs. If you have any of these items that you are willing to donate, please drop them off at the Shelter during office hours. View our complete wish list.

If you would like to donate money to the non-profit organization, Q.C. Paws, please send your check or money order payable to Q.C. Paws and mail to 4001 - 78th Avenue, Moline, IL 61265 or find out more about donating to the Rock Island County Animal Care and Control Shelter.

4. Does the Rock Island Animal Care and Control Shelter offer veterinary services?

Our shelter offers a wide variety of basic and preventative veterinarian services. We do not have the ability to provide emergency or trauma services.

5. Does the Rock Island Animal Care and Control Shelter make presentations to schools or community organizations?

Yes, we provide humane education and responsible pet ownership presentations to schools and other organizations. At these presentations, we emphasize such topics as public safety, dog bite prevention, responsible pet ownership and humane care of animals. Please call (309) 558-DOGS (3647) to arrange for a presentation.

6. Do you board animals?

No. We do not have the space to board privately owned pets. Check your telephone book under boarding kennels.

7. Do you have a foster parent program?

Yes. Please contact the shelter at (309) 558-DOGS (3647) for more information.

8. Do you have special rates for Senior Citizens?

All our fees are based on income guidelines and state and local ordinance laws governing the registration fees. 

9. How do you put animals to sleep?

When it is necessary to "put an animal to sleep" it is done by an injection, the same way it is done by a private veterinarian clinic. It is performed by a licensed veterinarian or certified euthanasia technician. It is a very humane, painless and peaceful process for the animal. It is the option of the pet owner to be with the pet during this procedure. We provide private euthanasia for owners when needed and may be available to perform this service in the comfort of your home. Please call (309) 558-DOGS (3647) for details.

10. How long do animals remain at Rock Island County Animal Care and Control

Stray animals are held for seven (7) days to allow an owner the opportunity to reclaim their pet. If no owner comes forward, the animal is evaluated for adoption. If the evaluation shows the animal is adoptable, it is processed and moved to the adoption floor. If it is determined that the pet is not adoptable, the animal would be humanely euthanized.

11. How many pets am I allowed to have on my property?

Check with your city of residence for their local ordinances on the number of animals you can have. If you are in un-incorporated Rock Island County, you may have as many animals that you can care for, but are required to obtain a kennel license if have more than four (4) dogs. View the Rock Island County Animal Control Ordinance.

12. How much does it cost to retrieve my dog from the shelter if it has been picked up by an Animal Control Officer?

Fees vary depending on whether or not the dog is registered, vaccinated for rabies, micro-chipped, altered and length of time at our shelter. Fees range from a minimum $25.00 and increase from there.

13. If I leave a deposit, will you hold an animal for me?

For $10.00 you may place a twenty-four (24) hour hold on an animal you are interested in adopting. If you adopt the animal, the $10.00 is applied towards the adoption fee, if you elect not to adopt the animal, the $10.00 is non-refundable and used to care for that animal for that day it was not able to be adopted.

14. Is Rock Island County Animal Care and Control a "no kill" shelter?

We are an "open admissions" shelter meaning that we accept every animal into our shelter. We do not turn away any animals at our door. We evaluate every animal and if the animal is deemed adoptable, it will not be euthanized. If it is determined that the pet is not adoptable due to either behavior or medical issues, then it would be humanely euthanized.

A no-kill shelter would simply not accept an unadoptable pet at their door, requiring that this animal be brought to our shelter.

Sometimes a home cannot be found due to the animal's temperament, age, general health, etc. If you do turn your animal into the animal shelter, be sure to tell the office staff as much as you can about your pet, i.e. housebroken, likes to ride in cars, does not like baths, does not like other cats, gets along with other dogs, etc. This will help in the adoption process.

15. I am not able to care for my pet anymore. What can I do?

Rock Island County Animal Care and Control is committed to helping families and their pets stay together. We will work with you as much as possible to help you.

If you have decided that you have no option but to give up your pet, you can relinquish your pet at our facility, which is located at 4100 - 78th Avenue, Moline Illinois, during business hours. There is a $20.00 per pet surrender fee. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to find a home for all surrendered pets.

16. My pet has fleas, what should I do?

There are many flea preventatives/treatments available over the counter, but these products do not generally solve the problem. You should contact your veterinarian for his/her recommendations in dealing with fleas. Rock Island County Animal Care and Control shelter has flea products available for sale.

17. Should I have my cat declawed?

The United States is the only country in the world that legally allows declawing, but declawing is a painful and difficult operation. It is the same as removing the first joint on all your fingers. It impairs the cat's balance and causes weakness from muscular disuse. Declawed cats are defenseless. Cats need their claws for protection. You may know that your indoor cat will never have to climb a tree in order to escape their neighbor's chihuahua, but your cat doesn't know it. Declawing makes a cat feel insecure and defenseless. It is radical to cut off so many parts of the body to prevent such a simple behavior problem.

The stress resulting from being declawed creates more problems than it allegedly solves. Some declawed cats become more nervous biters; others are known to become even more destructive to furniture than before the operation; and many cats stop using the litterbox.

There are alternatives to declawing. Exercise and play with your cat regularly. Give him a scratching post and teach him to use it. Temporarily confine your cat to a small area where he does not have access to your furniture. A few days in a room with a litter box, food, water and of course a scratching post is much more humane than declawing. Trim you cat's nails on a regular basis. The curved tip of the claw is the part that hooks into fabric, rugs, etc., and causes the most damage.

18. What is the difference between a Humane Society and the Rock Island County Animal Care and Control Shelter?

A Humane Society is a non-profit/privately funded organization that accepts only selected, owner turned in animals for a fee and then adopts them out again for a fee. Because they choose which animals they want to take in and which ones they don't, they are able to regulate their in-house population and not euthanize any of them.

The Rock Island County Animal Care and Control Shelter accepts all animals and is run by and for the public. Not only do we adopt animals out to good homes, but we also handle all noisy animals complaints, bite complaints, distress calls for hurt animals and any other animal related occurrences around the County.

The Rock Island County Animal Care and Control Shelter provides Animal Control Officers who are either on duty or on-call seven (7) days a week for service. Each animal is evaluated and if it is deemed adoptable, it will not be euthanized. if it is determined that the pet is not adoptable due to behavior or medical issues, then it would be humanely euthanized.

A no-kill shelter would simply not accept an unadoptable pet at their door, requiring that this animal be brought to our shelter.

19. What method of payment does the shelter accept?

The shelter will accept cash, check, credit card, money order, and cashier's checks. Photo identification is required for all transactions. 

20. When I come to the shelter, can I play with the animals?

All animals available for adoption are viewable and able to be handled outside their cages, our cats are in an open environment and may be handled outside of cages. Volunteers may also play with and socialize adoptable animals.

21. Where can I find a veterinary hospital that will perform emergency services for my pet?

Most veterinary hospitals provide emergency care during their regular hours, however, for emergency services "after normal business hours", go to:

Animal Emergency Center

1510 State Street

Bettendorf, IA

(563) 344-9599

22. Where can I get a "Pet-Friendly" Illinois License Plate?

Illinois offers Pet-Friendly License Plates for your car with proceeds going to the State's spay and neuter fund. Contact the local driver's license office to obtain an application for these plates, or go to the website for the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State to obtain more information.