President Preckwinkle Appoints Mamadou Diakhate as Administrator of Cook County’s Department of Animal and Rabies Control

Diakhate brings more than two decades of animal welfare experience to the County

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has appointed Mamadou Diakhate to administrator of the County’s Department of Animal and Rabies Control (ARC).  

Diakhate comes to the County from the City of Chicago’s Animal Care and Control (CACC) where he most recently served as executive director. He has been with CACC since 2004 and has held numerous leadership positions over the course of his tenure including supervisor, shelter manager, operations manager and deputy director.

“Mamadou brings decades of experience and a deep appreciation of animals, which makes him the ideal choice to serve as the administrator of the County’s Department of Animal and Rabies Control,” said President Preckwinkle. “I am grateful to Mamadou for his commitment to our animal population.”

In his role at CACC, Diakhate created a disaster relief plan for pets in 2017 that was implemented in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic began. To provide a continuity of operations, the plan ensured hundreds of pets were provided with adequate care overcoming the staffing constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Assistance was also provided to residents who tested positive for COVID-19 and could no longer provide proper care for their pets.

“I am grateful to serve residents and animals throughout Cook County,” said Diakhate. “I am thankful to President Preckwinkle for selecting me for this position and am eager to become integrated within the department. The year has just begun and there are many upcoming initiatives I am excited to lead.”

During his time with CACC, Diakhate helped upgrade the CHI 311 system, that assists residents with non-emergency city-related services including information on events, programs and agencies within the City of Chicago.

Diakhate also oversaw the wildlife trap and bite investigations program in addition to monitoring dangerous dog investigations while at CACC.

He is a member of the United Animal Nations and the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. He also serves as the vice president of the Illinois Animal Control Association. Additionally, he participates in the American Red Cross Animal Services workgroup. Diakhate also received emergency animal rescue and safe capture chemical immobilization certifications.

He has a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Inter-States School of Veterinary Medicine in Senegal.

Diakhate succeeds Dr. Tom Wake who has served as the administrator since 2018. Diakhate lives with his family in Chicago.