As an animal welfare advocate living in Champaign County, I am deeply disappointed with the lack of emergency services for animals provided by our local government. Despite being home to over 200,000 residents, our cities - Champaign and Urbana - fail to provide a crucial service that even smaller communities have access to. This is not just about providing better care for our pets; it's about fostering a community that values all life and ensures safety for everyone.

Currently, there is no after-hour emergency or holiday service available for animals in distress. This means that if an animal is injured or endangered outside of regular business hours Monday- Friday, there's little we can do but wait until offices open again. This delay can mean the difference between life and death for many creatures.

We urge the City of Champaign County to establish a 24-hour emergency hotline with on-call animal control officers who can be dispatched during non-business hours or weekends. Such a service would not only save countless lives but also reflect the compassionate values we hold as a community.

Please join us in demanding better care and protection for animals within our county by signing this petition today!