WHEREAS, Steve Dale, certified animal behavior consultant (CABC), has reached more pet owners over the past few decades than any other pet journalist in America.
AND WHEREAS, in Chicago, Steve created the Chicago Task Force on Companion Animals and Public Safety (2000 to 2010), which helped to overturn proposed breed bans and twice-overturned proposed mandated pediatric spay/neuter, as well as proposed pet limit laws. The Task Force also re-wrote the City's animal control act and created guidelines for 'doggy day care.'
AND WHEREAS, as a pet advocate, Steve has testified many times around the country against breed-specific bans and pet limit laws, and in support of trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) programs for community cats, which he testified at Cook County as well and in Springfield. This ultimately led the way for changing a laws locally for community cats. He also persuaded Chicago City Council to allow dogs to dine outdoors if a restaurant so desired. He helped to advocate and write the protocol for dog parks in Chicago (known as dog friendly areas). Steve has also testified repeatedly on why dogs/cats should not be sold at pet stores, and helped to pass the recent humane ordinances in Chicago and Cook County.
AND WHEREAS, Steve regularly advised former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn regarding pet-related issues and was a leading voice for bills to prohibit breed-specific bans and also it was Steve's idea to create a law change to prosecute dog fighters with enhanced felony charges when convicted of fighting near schools, children's play areas or daycare centers.
AND WHEREAS, in 2019, Steve helped create the first fire protection law for pets in the U.S. in kennels or dog day care, signed by Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker.
AND WHEREAS, he is also a special contributor at WGN Radio, Chicago, and program host of Sfeve Dale's Pet World (since 1997), and host of syndicated Sfeve Dale's Other World (2020). He's also the host of two nationally syndicated pet radio shows, heard on over 100 radio stations.
AND WHEREAS, Steve has used his many media platforms to advocate for change to benefit pets and his long list of experts of the air to support pet parents offering medical and behavioral advice, particularly on WGN Radio. Via WGN's support, so many families have benefited, as pets are members of the family.
AND WHEREAS, Steve is the person responsible for the Chicago White Sox to allow dogs at a major league baseball game that led to ball parks around America having "dog days" promotions. In 2004, he also encouraged Mercury Skyline Cruiseline to create "The Canine Cruise," a dog-friendly architecture cruise on Lake Michigan/Chicago River, with dog-friendly cruises now replicated in other cities. Not only has he made a difference for companion animals - he's a constant cheerleader for Chicago.
AND WHEREAS, in 2022, Steve is scheduled to be recognized with the first ever AVMA Excellence in Media Award.
AND WHEREAS, for 21 years, Steve's twice-weekly multi-award-winning newspaper column was syndicated by the Chicago Tribune, and he previously authored pet stories for the newspaper. He was a contributing editor for USA Weekend (2002 to 2014), and regular columnist at Cat Fancy magazine (2006 to 2014).
AND WHEREAS, he's currently a writer and contributing editor for CATster, columnist for DVM 360 where he also serves as a member ofthe Editorial Advisory Board. He's also a columnist for the Journal of National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America and contributing editor American Association Pet Parents.
AND WHEREAS, Steve's TV appearances include the The Oprah Winfrey Show, National Geographic Explorer, Good Morning America; Pets: Part ofthe Family (PBS), Fox News, various Animal Planet shows, and many others including The Pet Project and Balance TV (Canada) and TV shows in England, Australia, Japan, and elsewhere.
AND WHEREAS, Steve was a regular contributor to Superstation WGN-TV morning news, then appeared regularly on WMAQ-TV, Chicago. He currently a contributor to syndicated HouseSmarts TV.
AND WHEREAS, Steve co-edited Decoding Your Dog, written by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and he also authored the Introduction to Decoding Your Cat, written by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. And has contributed and/or author to many other books including Doggone Chicago, and various veterinary textbooks.
AND WHEREAS, Steve has presented numerous times at each ofthe major U.S. veterinary conferences, and regularly at state and regional meetings as well as at veterinary schools, and at many conferences around the world, from Australia to South America, Mexico and elsewhere. He's also emceed or participated at countless fundraisers, mostly in the Chicago area.
AND WHEREAS, Steve serves on the Board of Directors for EveryCat Health Foundation, previously the Winn Feline Foundation (2007 to present) and Human Animal Bond Association (2016 to present). He's on the Advisory Board Friends Chicago Animal Care & Control (2013 to present); Pet Partners Human Animal Bond National Scientific Advisory Board (2015 to present); National Advisory Council Member American Association of Feline Practitioners (2016 to present); Advisory Board SPCA Puerto Vallarta (2016 to present); Grey Muzzle Organization (2017 to present); National Link Coalition G-10 Steering Committee (2020 to present), DVM360 Editorial Advisory Board (2020 to present). After six years, in 2012, he cycled off the Board of Directors of the American Humane Association where he also served as a National Ambassador. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Tree House Humane Society, Chicago (2004 to 2016). He was National Advisory Board Member of Angel on a Leash (2005 to 2016) and Task Force on Feline Sterilization (2015 to 2017).
AND WHEREAS, Steve's a proud member ofthe Fear Free Advisory Council (2013 to present) and is the Chief Correspondent of Fear Free Happy Homes, and he is certified Fear Free.
AND WHEREAS, Steve was named the first media participant of an AVMA/AAHA initiative to encourage preventive veterinary care, called Partners for Healthy Pets (2014 to present). He co-founded Veterinary Professionals Against Puppy Mills (2014). He's also a co-founder ofthe CATalyst Council and served on the Board of Directors (2008 to 2012). AND WHEREAS, after his beloved piano playing cat Ricky passed away in 2002 of feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), Steve created the Ricky Fund with the Winn Feline Foundation to raise money to research this often-fatal disease. He's helped to raise nearly $300,000 - and as a direct result, a genetic test was created to determine if a gene defect for HCM exists for two breeds, and further studies are underway.
AND WHEREAS, in 2012, Steve became the youngest person ever inducted into the Dog Writers Association of America Hall of Fame.
AND WHEREAS, Steve also earned the AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Public Service Award (twice), the HSUS Pets for Life Award, American Humane Association Media Award, American Pet Products Association Pet Industry Outstanding Media Representative ofthe Year, Dog Writers Association for Distinguished Service Award, Cat Writers 'Association Shojai Mentor Award and has been honored with over 15 Maxwell's Awards from the Dog Writers Association of America and over 15 Muse Awards from the Cat Writers 'Association of America. He's also been honored by the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, Friends of Chicago Animal Care and Control, and was the first recipient of the Winn Feline Foundation Media Appreciation Award.
AND WHEREAS, Steve was the 2008 Commencement Speaker at Madison Square Garden for
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, and in 2012, appeared in a TV guide Crossword
Puzzle (pet journalist Steve ).
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor, and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this 15th Day of December 2021, do hereby call for honoring Steve Dale as an exemplary Chicagoan and pet advocate; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presentedlo Steve Dale as a gift of gratitude from the City of Chicago honoring all the work he has done to advocate for companion animals.
JAMES CAPPLEMAN Alderman - 46th Ward
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, We declare December 19, 2021, Steve Dale Day in the City of Chicago.
