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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Rebecca Gomez, Animal Care & Control Manager
DATE: July 26, 2026
SUBJECT:
A resolution to accept an ASPCA The Rescue Effect Campaign Grant in the amount of $10,000 for Aurora Animal Care & Control.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this item is to obtain authorization for the City of Aurora’s Animal Care & Control Division to accept a $10,000 grant from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) under the 2026 The Rescue Effect Campaign Grant Program.
BACKGROUND:
Aurora Animal Care & Control operates the City’s municipal animal shelter and provides care, intake, field services, and adoption support for animals in the City’s custody. The City of Aurora submitted an application to the ASPCA for the 2026 The Rescue Effect Campaign Grant Program requesting $10,000 in support of adoption-related activities and fee-waived adoption events.
The grant agreement identifies the City of Aurora Animal Care & Control facility as the grantee and confirms an award amount of $10,000 for the 2026 ASPCA The Rescue Effect Campaign Grant. The agreement is dated June 30, 2026, with a grant expiration date of October 31, 2026.
As part of the grant application, the City committed to holding 6 fee-waived adoption events. Grant funds would support make-ready costs for cats and dogs available for adoption during the campaign period.
DISCUSSION:
The ASPCA The Rescue Effect Campaign Grant will support Aurora Animal Care & Control’s participation in a campaign intended to increase pet adoptions and promote community engagement through scheduled fee-waived adoption events. The funding will be used for adoption-related make-ready costs for animals, such as veterinary services and supplies needed to prepare cats and dogs for placement during the campaign period.
Under the grant agreement, funds must be used exclusively for costs incurred directly in connection with the approved project, and any substantive change to the project or use of funds must receive prior ASPCA approval.
The grant terms require the City to submit a final report by November 14, 2026, and provide that unused funds may need to be returned if the project is not completed as approved or if a requested extension is not granted before the October 31, 2026 expiration date.
The revenue account will be 101-1374-337.30-40. The expense accounts will be 101-1374-440.32-40 and/or 101-1374-440.32-44.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
If the grant is not approved, the public will have fewer opportunities to participate in fee-waived adoption events, limiting access to affordable pet adoptions. Animal Care & Control will lose $10,000 in external funding for adoption make-ready costs, increasing pressure on existing division resources and reducing capacity to prepare animals for timely placement.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Animal Care & Control recommends City Council approve a resolution authorizing the acceptance of a 2026 ASPCA The Rescue Effect Campaign Grant from the ASPCA in the amount of $10,000 for Aurora Animal Care & Control.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution to accept an ASPCA The Rescue Effect Campaign Grant in the amount of $10,000 for Aurora Animal Care & Control.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora applied to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) requesting grant funds to support fee-waived adoption events and make-ready costs for shelter cats and dogs during the 2026 ASPCA The Rescue Effect Campaign; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora received notification that a grant award in the amount of $10,000 was awarded; and
WHEREAS, a budget amendment will be submitted for this grant with the revenue account 101-1374-337-30-40 and the expense accounts 101-1374-440.32-40 and 101-1374-440.32-44.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: City Council and the City of Aurora, Illinois, finds as facts all of the preamble recitals of this Resolution and hereby approves a resolution to accept a 2026 ASPCA The Rescue Effect Campaign Grant in the amount of $10,000 for Aurora Animal Care & Control.