Our Mission
The mission of the Community Medicine Program at Illinois is to reduce animal overpopulation and to improve the health and well-being of animals in shelters through the advancement of the discipline of shelter medicine among veterinarians and veterinary students.
The goal of the Community Medicine Program at Illinois is to develop a talented pool of veterinary graduates who are well-versed in the tools available to improve the care of shelter animals and help reduce animal overpopulation. The program is actively engaged in the teaching, outreach, and research missions of the College of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Illinois.
Information for Animal Shelters
The College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois supports homeless animals and shelters through a variety of ways.
- While classes are in session, the Junior Surgery Program hosts animals from multiple shelters weekly. Our furry guests arrive each Monday morning for physical examinations, diagnostics, baths, enrichment, sterilization surgeries, and essential treatments. While these animals are under our care, students not only provide necessary therapies, but also do their best to find forever homes for the pets.
- Our community medicine service provides low-cost spay neuter surgeries and other commonly performed surgeries in a shelter setting for a nominal fee. This subsidized care is made possible through grants, including one from PetSmart Charities. We serve both shelter animals and privately owned animals with coordination of the shelters in seven communities throughout east central Illinois.
- As part of our community outreach, we work with host organizations to support clinics held at community wellness fairs, aiding with supplies and student support for the clinics.
Our service works closely with the Illinois Student Chapter of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians. Together, the program offers complimentary shelter consultations and educational seminars for shelter veterinarians and staff.
Information for Pet Owners
SPAY AND NEUTER PROGRAM
Our service provides low-cost spay/neuter services with the help of our shelter partners. Through a grant provided by PetSmart Charities, we were able to purchase a mobile surgical unit, allowing us to visit seven different communities in the region. Our mobile surgical unit comes completely stocked and staffed and ready to provide sterilization surgeries for eligible animals at least 2 lb and 8 weeks old. Most of our patients will be altered by our veterinary students with the assistance of a supervising veterinarian. This provides great experiences for our students, shelters, and pet owners. Additional services that may be available to ensure the animal’s health may include vaccinations, microchip placement, ear cleaning, and nail trims.
Our shelter partners determine eligibility based on specific criteria and will schedule your animal’s visit.
TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR YOUR PET, CONTACT YOUR NEAREST SHELTER
Locate the shelter nearest you:
Champaign County Animal Control
210 South Art Bartell Rd
Urbana, IL 61802
217-384-3798
Coles County Animal Shelter
6818 N CR 1120 E
Charleston, IL 61920
217-345-4112
Dewitt County Animal Control
5595 Weldon Springs Rd
Clinton, IL 61727
217-935-3033
Iroquois County Animal Rescue (ICARE)
100 NW Lincoln
Iroquois, IL 60945
815-429-4028
Pet Central Helps! (PCH)
360 Wylie
Normal, IL 61761
309-846-9534
Vermilion County Animal Regulation (VCAR)
14775 Catlin Tilton Rd
Danville, IL 61834
217-431-2661
RESOURCES FOR FERAL/COMMUNITY CATS
According to statistics, more than 70 percent of cats who enter our nation’s animal control pounds and shelters are killed. Progressive shelters are recognizing that feral cats should not even enter a shelter in the first place. There are a number of programs nationwide to sterilize, vaccinate, and return or relocate (Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Return—TNVR) cats that are unadoptable.
The Shelter Medicine Program at Illinois is happy to work with shelters to develop and implement a TNVR program. Relocation of unadoptable cats should be a last resort. However, when an unadoptable cat cannot be returned to its original environment, then relocation is a possibility.
Here are some links to outside organizations with information on management and relocation of community and feral cats:
THANK YOU TO SUPPORTERS OF THE COMMUNITY MEDICINE PROGRAM!
