Algonquin, Illinois · Kane & McHenry County · Facts checked Oct 2026
Algonquin spans two counties, and your side of town changes who you call.
Village police take stray pets and animal complaints first, on their non-emergency line, and bring in county animal control when it's needed.1 Which county that is depends on your address, because the village lies partly in Kane County and partly in McHenry County.1,2
Who handles an animal problem in Algonquin?
| What's happening | Who to call |
|---|---|
| Someone was bitten or scratched by a wild animal | Wash the wound with soap and water and see a doctor right away. The health department or animal control should also be told.3 |
| A bat got into the house, or may have touched someone | Kane County side: call your doctor or the Kane County Health Department, (630) 208-3801, as soon as possible. A bat found inside a home may count as a possible exposure.4 McHenry County side: if someone may have been exposed, report it to McHenry County Animal Control, (815) 459-6222.5 If you woke up with it in the room, or it was near a child, keep the bat and call your doctor or the health department.3 |
| A wild animal acting sick or aggressive | Algonquin police non-emergency line: (847) 658-4531. Officers bring in Kane or McHenry County Animal Control when needed.1 Kane County also tells people inside town limits to call local police about an animal that may have rabies.6 McHenry County's animal control only holds permits for wild animals that are sick, injured or an immediate threat.5 |
| A stray dog or cat, or a lost pet | Algonquin police non-emergency line, (847) 658-4531. Pets the police find go to the animal control shelter of the county they were found in.1 Not a wildlife operator. |
| A calm animal living in your attic, walls, chimney or under the deck | McHenry County Animal Control says it can't disturb healthy wildlife,5 and Kane County Animal Control sends homeowners with an animal in the house to a licensed nuisance wildlife removal service.6 That can be this site's advertiser or anyone on the Illinois DNR list. |
The Wildlife Line isn't part of the Village of Algonquin, Kane County or McHenry County.
Kane side or McHenry side?
The Census Bureau places Algonquin in two counties, Kane and McHenry.2 The village contracts with both counties for pet animal control, and which county's office gets involved depends on where the household is.1 In the table above, the split decides two things: the office to call after a possible bat exposure, and the shelter a found pet is taken to.1,4,5
What the village asks of homeowners
- Never feed wild animals. The village's coyote information sheet says not to feed coyotes or any other wild animal.7
- Cover the garbage and the compost. The same sheet asks for garbage with a secure cover, stored in the garage if possible, and covered compost.7
- Take away easy meals. Pick up fallen fruit, leave no pet food outside and keep bird feeders from overflowing.7
- Clear out wood piles. The sheet suggests removing wood piles, mounds and similar material that could give wildlife a place to live.7
- Cans have to close tightly. The village code lists garbage cans that aren't fly-tight as a public health nuisance.8
Where is the wild land around Algonquin?
The village says the Woods Creek watershed covers the land east of Square Barn Road, south of Algonquin Road, west of Randall Road and north of Huntley Road.9 It holds Woods Creek, wetlands, rare fens and floodplain, with extensive native plant and animal communities, and it is one of the many smaller watersheds that make up the Fox River watershed.9 Since 2000 the village has kept more than 750 acres as natural space, and it has managed and restored more than 400 acres.10 Its wetland natural areas include Arbor Hills Nature Preserve and Falcon Ridge Nature Preserve.9 Should an animal from land like this find a way indoors, start with the guide that fits: bats in the attic or living space, squirrels overhead, a chimney raccoon or something living under the deck.
What are you hearing?
Can't tell what's moving in the attic or the walls? Match the sound and the hour against this attic-noise guide. For a problem that turns up after dark, read after-hours help.
Sources for this page
- Village of Algonquin, Animal Control. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 places by county, Illinois. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
- Illinois Department of Public Health, Rabies (animal bites; bats in a sleeping area). Checked Oct 2026.
- Kane County Health Department, news item on a rabid bat, Aug. 28, 2026. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
- McHenry County Department of Health, Animal Control: Wildlife. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
- Kane County Animal Control, FAQ. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
- Village of Algonquin, Coyote Information. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
- Algonquin Municipal Code, Chapter 12, Nuisances, Section 12.02(B)(5). Checked Oct 21, 2026.
- Village of Algonquin, Woods Creek watershed and natural areas. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
- Village of Algonquin, natural areas management. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
Written and checked by The Wildlife Line. Spot an error? Tell us through the About page.
Also: Kane County · McHenry County · Carpentersville · Huntley · Elgin