Illinois State Comptroller, Susana Mendoza, is hosting the next annual Dog Days of Summer campaign. The campaign kicked off on May 26th and is set to run every Tuesday through Labor Day. The now third year of this effort features dogs available for adoption from shelters around the state who are desperately looking for a new family. 

Comptroller Mendoza said that this program has been a pleasure to carry on the Comptroller’s Critters program, started by Mendoza’s friend, Judy Baar Topinka. Mendoza also said that now that they have added in a summer social media campaign, they’ve been able to help find even more homeless pets a forever home.

Comptroller’s Critters features an online database of participating shelters around the state. The shelters are searchable by county and links to shelter websites, addresses and other information is also available for tips about pet adoption and care. Illinois shelters that would like to be added to the database are encouraged to email: critters@illinoiscomptroller.gov.

Comptroller’s Critters isn’t limited to just dogs and cats. Shelters listed also rescue hamsters, ferrets, horses, rabbits, pigs and other animals.

Comptroller Mendoza said adoption just makes financial sense and that families are saving money by adopting a pet in desperate need of a home. Being much easier and likely less expensive than shopping for an expensive animal that may not be from a reputable breeder.

Shelter pets are usually available for a nominal cost and have already been spayed or neutered, micro chipped and vaccinated. Additionally, choosing a pet from a shelter helps reduce animal control costs for local governments and makes room for other homeless animals.

For further information or to see a local list of pets up for adoption, check your local shelter’s website, or go online to www.hscipets.org.