License revoked from Bloomingdale animal shelter

By Marco Santana Daily Herald Staff
Published: 11/5/2009 12:46 PM Updated: 11/5/2009 5:10 PM

A long-embattled Bloomingdale animal shelter lost its license Wednesday, effectively shutting down the controversial site at least until it goes through an appeal process.
Pet Rescue Inc. now has 30 days to appeal the administrative law judge's ruling, which said the shelter failed to provide timely records to the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
In the past, former clients and volunteers have accused the shelter of hoarding animals and providing improper care.
A complaint filed by the state in April claimed that the shelter did not provide records covering a five-month period, from August 2008 to February.
"It's a good start," said Cherie Travis, an attorney who has represented a group trying to shut down the shelter. "But I think it's taken way too long."
In a report filed as evidence at an August hearing, the department of agriculture said the shelter denied or ignored several requests for records concerning four animals. The shelter took up to nine months to provide records for another 18 animals.
Illinois Department of Agriculture Spokesman Jeff Squibb said the department has worked with local authorities to push the case forward. The revocation means the shelter cannot operate in Bloomingdale based on a zoning ordinance that requires a license.
"Our position is that Pet Rescue is no longer a licensed facility and, therefore, cannot adopt out or transfer its animals," he said.
Squibb said the facility had been on the department's radar for many years as complaints mounted.
Pet Rescue Director Penny Horak has said any denial or failed compliance was done in error. A phone call to Pet Rescue Attorney Rick Schoenfield was not returned.
The ruling is the latest in an ongoing saga concerning the shelter.
The shelter lost its license for about a month in 2008 after state officials accused Horak and owner Dale Armon of animal cruelty.
In April, a state complaint challenging the shelter's compliance with inspection reports was filed, and in September, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan accused Armon of using donated money intended to help the shelter for personal use.