Volunteers Sign Up to Help Friends of Oak Forest Animal Control

Oak Forest is known for their volunteers and they did not disappoint on Tuesday night at the Oak Forest Animal Control volunteer meeting. JoAnn LeVinske who is the volunteer manager, facility coordinator and on the commission, actually had goose bumps she was so delighted with the turn out. There were 22 Oak Forest residents who were there, waiting to sign up and find out how they could help. The strays of Oak Forest never had it so good.

Oak Forest Animal Control is in charge of removing strays from the city limits, but it is the Friends of Oak Forest Animal Control who really makes the difference. Back in the day, when a stray was caught, it went to the local shelter. This is because there was nobody to take care of the animals when the employees went home. That is when Laura Clemons stepped in. The Friends of O.F. Animal Control was started by Oak Forest Alderman Laura Clemens and the director of Lulu's Rescue, Dawn Isenhart-Copp. They wanted to go a step further with the strays of Oak Forest and be able to hold them in order to look for their owners.

This is where the Friends of O.F. Animal Control came in. They rounded up volunteers to take over this responsibility and became an official commission. Now when a stray is found, they hold the animal for 96 hours while they look for the owners. The animal might stay even longer if they got a lead on an owner but haven't made contact. The volunteers are responsible for taking care of the animals when the employees of O.F. Animal Control are not there, such as after hours, weekends and vacation days. Volunteers can also help out by assisting with fund raising efforts, donating food and supplies and maintaining the facility.

Melissa Drozd, the O.F. Animal Control officer said that they are also always looking for fosters to take the dogs that don't get claimed so the commission can look for a home for the animal. It is really important to have a pool of fosters so no animal brought in as a stray has to go to a shelter.

If you would like to volunteer for the Friends of the O.F. Animal Control, it is not too late. They are always looking for great volunteers to join the team. They also emphasized that you do not have to commit to a large amount of time. They know everyone is busy and even a few hours a month is acceptable to be a volunteer. And if you can't volunteer, you can still support the O.F. Animal Control with the fund raising events coming up. They are having a Come on out to the ballgame!! night on July 14 with the Windy City Thunderbolts. Tickets are only $10 and it is Jimmy Buffet Night. They are also hosting a White Castle Craver Community Night on June 27th. Also, please like their Facebook page at Friends of Oak Forest Animal Control to keep current with all the events that are going on. You can contact them by phone by calling 708-903-1845.