Animal shelters across Illinois are sounding the alarm — they’re overcrowded, underfunded, and overwhelmed. With more families facing rising costs of living, more pets are being surrendered simply because their owners can no longer afford to care for them. This isn’t a reflection of people not loving their animals — it’s a reflection of a system that’s failing both families and their pets. 

Shelters are taking in more animals than they can safely house. Dogs are being crammed into temporary kennels. Cats are overflowing into hallways and storage rooms. Staff are burned out. Volunteers are stretched thin. And the heartbreaking truth is that many of these pets—who were once beloved members of a family—now face uncertain futures simply because their caregivers hit hard times. 

We need the State of Illinois to step in with emergency funding to help keep people and their pets together and keep shelters from collapsing. That means financial support for shelters to expand space and staffing, but also direct assistance for pet owners—like vet bill vouchers, food support, or temporary boarding—so that giving up a pet isn’t the only option when times get tough.

Other states have already begun providing emergency relief funds for pet retention. Illinois should follow their lead. Animals shouldn’t pay the price for a broken economy, and families shouldn’t be forced to make the gut-wrenching choice between keeping a roof over their head or keeping their pet.

Please join us in calling on Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly to act now. The animals in our shelters—and the families trying to stay whole—can’t wait.