Dogs and their owners support DuPage animal agency

It was just supposed to be a walk in the park for Jill Baker and her three dogs, Jack, Brutus and Foxy.

The trio - two boxer mixes and a Shiba Inu - would get a quick wash and enjoy Sunday's beautiful weather. But within the hour, Baker had three bags slung over her shoulder stuffed with toys for her pooches and her six cats waiting at home.

"There's purses, cat beds, and bags for my bags," Baker said while taking a break from shopping at the Friends of the DuPage County Animal Care and Control Foundation's Dog Wash 'n Walk, held on the Illinois Institute of Technology grounds in Wheaton.

Dozens of dog owners spent the day getting their dogs cleaned and checking out dozens of booths staffed with vendors selling their animal-related wares. The three-hour event, which attracted about 40 vendors and nearly 200 people, benefits DCACC.

"People don't realize we're not a taxpayer-funded agency," said Kristie Lecaros, coordinator of the Friends of the DCACC Foundation. "Our needs go beyond the money we're able to raise through donations."

The foundation formed about 18 months ago to help provide services and items not otherwise included in the budget for the shelter. Lecaros said they've already bought a heated surgery table, bathing tub, paid for the treatment of a heartworm-positive dog and subsidized fees for dogs and cats less likely to be adopted.

"It's only through the support of these donors that we can do this kind of stuff," Lecaros said.

Dan Hardy of Wheaton learned about Sunday's dog wash through a local pet store and made a day of it with his wife, in-laws, and his dog, Esox.

"We try to do all sorts of activities with him," Hardy said while a group of kids made their way to pet Esox, a 10-month-old Boxer.

"It's also a good experience to have the dog out with people," added Vanessa Hardy, Dan's wife.