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Read the press release here.

Chicago Would Be 'No-Kill City' for Animal Shelters Under Aldermanic Plan

By Ted Cox | March 16, 2016 12:28pm | Updated on March 17, 2016 4:02pm
 Aldermen proposed making Chicago a
Aldermen proposed making Chicago a "no-kill city," perhaps including the city pound.
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PAWS Chicago

CITY HALL — A powerful alderman and a leading City Council animal advocate on Wednesday proposed requiring "no-kill" policies at pet shelters in the city.

Building off a campaign launched by Advocates for Chicagoland Animals, the proposal would ban euthanasia at pet shelters "for reasons of space" and would allow it only for terminally ill animals.

The resolution, submitted by Aldermen Edward Burke (14th) and Raymond Lopez (15th), would also call for hearings on extending the policy to the Department of Animal Care and Control's David R. Lee Shelter.

City Hall Reporter Ted Cox talks on city discussions about adopting no-kill policy.

According to the aldermen, that pound has killed more than 10,000 animals over the past two years at a cost of $1.1 million, or more than 10 percent of the department's budget.

"No-kill policies are both a humane and fiscally responsible alternative that can save local governments money while promoting an increase in pet adoptions," Lopez said in a statement.

Lopez is an acknowledged animal advocate who, as of his election last year, had eight dogs.

Their resolution calls for the city to emulate Atlanta, which has reportedly achieved a 95 percent "save rate."

Mayor Rahm Emanuel said he'd be open to considering it.

"I want to look at the details," he said. "But anything that gets us closer to a humane effort as it relates to animals, dogs particularly, that's going to be something dear to my heart."

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