Tinley Park increases animal shelter fees

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Updated: March 24, 2012 9:05AM

The Tinley Park Village Board voted for puppies and kittens Tuesday as it threw needed dollars to the local animal shelter.

The board gave preliminary approval to a two-pronged agreement that would turn over all animal impound fees collected by the village to the PAWS shelter of Tinley Park.

In addition, the village would increase the initial impound fee from $25 to $35 and the daily care fee from $11 to $15.

“These increases are in line with the average in the area and will generate a little more money for PAWS to take care of the animals,” Trustee David Seaman said.

The impound fee contribution would add $8,000 annually to the no-kill shelter’s funds. This would supplement Tinley Park’s current lump-sum contribution of $8,000 per year, bringing the village’s annual contribution to $16,000, officials said.

In a recent review, officials estimated PAWS spends $17,000 annually to house and care for impounded animals from Tinley Park. The increased contributions bring the village closer to meeting the expenses incurred by the shelter, officials said.

“Our relationship with PAWS goes back to 1977 when it was located at the old public works garage next to Fire Station No. 1 and had an 8-foot by 8-foot pen with a dirt floor,” Mayor Ed Zabrocki said. “PAWS does provide tremendous services for us, and their volunteer effort is unbelievable. They do a great job.”

The agreement is scheduled for final approval at the March 6 board meeting.