Chicago Animal Care and Control Aims to Boost Adoptions as Drop-Offs Remain High

New director Susan Capello works to make pet ownership and adoption more accessible amid ongoing shelter overcrowding.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:53pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen print featuring a repeating pattern of a dog bowl or other pet accessory in bright, neon-like hues, conceptually representing the push to streamline pet adoption and ownership in Chicago.Vibrant pop art imagery captures the ongoing efforts to make pet ownership and adoption more accessible in Chicago.Chicago Today

The new permanent director of Chicago Animal Care and Control, Susan Capello, is taking steps to make pet ownership and adoption easier as the city's animal shelters continue to face high drop-off levels. Capello, who has served as acting director since 2023, says the shelters are processing around 40 animal intakes per day, leading to persistent overcrowding. To address this, Capello is exploring ways to increase adoption numbers, assist pet owners with medical and food needs, and improve the CACC ordinance, including raising the current $65 adoption fee.

Why it matters

Chicago's animal shelters have struggled with high intake levels for years, leading to concerns about shelter capacity and the welfare of the animals. Capello's efforts to streamline the adoption process and provide more support for pet owners aim to reduce the number of animals being surrendered and find permanent homes for those in the shelter system.

The details

In May 2025, CACC reported seeing lines of people turning in stray animals or surrendering their pets, with up to 56 animals being dropped off each day. This has led to persistent overcrowding at the city's shelters. Capello, who was appointed the permanent CACC director last month after serving as acting director since 2023, says the shelters are currently processing around 40 animal intakes per day, seven days a week. To address this, Capello is working to increase adoption numbers and transfers to other shelters, as well as provide more assistance to pet owners to help them keep their animals, such as help with medical needs and food.

  • In May 2025, CACC reported high drop-off levels, with up to 56 animals being surrendered each day.
  • In March 2026, CACC was processing around 40 animal intakes per day, seven days a week.

The players

Susan Capello

The new permanent director of Chicago Animal Care and Control, who has served as acting director since 2023.

Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC)

The city agency responsible for animal welfare and control in Chicago, Illinois.

Gordy

A two-year-old dog available for adoption through CACC.

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What they’re saying

“You know, it's pretty much the same. In March we were processing about 40 animals intake every day, seven days a week. That's a lot of dogs, cats and other animals through our doors.”

— Susan Capello, Director, Chicago Animal Care and Control

What’s next

Capello is also working to make improvements to the CACC ordinance, including increasing the current $65 adoption fee, which she says is the lowest in the nation. She has also just announced six full-time job openings at CACC.

The takeaway

Chicago's animal shelters have faced persistent challenges with high intake levels, leading to concerns about shelter capacity and animal welfare. Capello's efforts to streamline the adoption process, provide more support for pet owners, and update the CACC ordinance aim to reduce the number of animals being surrendered and find permanent homes for those in the shelter system.