CITY HALL — Thirty aldermen have signed on to a proposed measure that would prevent Chicago animal shelters from killing healthy dogs or cats.
The measure by Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th) seeks to make all Chicago shelters "no-kill," which means animal care officials would have the power to euthanize only those pets who can not be treated by medical professionals or that are dangerous to people or other pets.
“Our goal is to reduce the killing of animals and to improve their care and well-being, and to reduce the costs to the taxpayers,” Lopez said in a statement.
This spring, the City Council adopted a non-binding resolution calling for the Department of Animal Care and Control's David R. Lee Shelter to stop killing adoptable animals.
At the time, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said he'd be open to considering it.
"I want to look at the details," Emanuel 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."
Last year, 64 percent of animals brought to the city shelter were saved. To be considered a "no-kill" shelter, 90 percent of dogs and cats would need to find a permanent home, according to PAWS Chicago.
The ordinance will be considered by the city's finance committee.
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