Kane County hires new animal control director

Kane County announced Wednesday it has hired veterinarian Kimberly Rudloff as administrator of the animal control department.

She will begin Feb. 6, and be paid $88,000 annually, according to the Kane County Health Department, which oversees animal control.

The opening attracted 110 applications. Seven of the applicants met the qualifications set by the county, which included having a doctor of veterinary medicine degree and specified amounts of veterinary and management experience.

Six were vetted by health department staff and the county board's public health committee. Two finalists were interviewed by the county board chairman and the health department executive director.

Rudloff developed and directs the veterinary technology and veterinary assistance programs for Sanford-Brown College career school in Hillside.

She has been a veterinarian since 1991, and has worked in small animal care practices and for the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Being a licensed veterinarian was important to the public health committee, which last year questioned the department's spending on veterinary care contracts.

The department's former director, Mary Lawrie, quit last year after having been suspended.

And a local pet rescue group sued the county, alleging mishandling of a pet adoption from the county's animal detention center.