PAWS Chicago animal rescueFeatured rescue organization: July, 2009
DogTime's Road to Rescue program salutes PAWS Chicago, dedicated to reducing euthanasia and creating a better life the city's homeless animals.
How did your organization get started? The indomitable Mr. Ed
Since PAWS Chicago's founding, the number of homeless pets killed in the city has been reduced by more than half, from 42,561 pets killed in 1997 to 19,288 in 2008. PAWS Chicago envisions a No Kill Chicago and that dream is within reach because of important lifesaving work that is being done every single day. PAWS Chicago Adoption Center
What is your mission? This will be accomplished by: - Providing accessible free or low-cost spay/neuter services through the PAWS Chicago Lurie Spay/Neuter Clinic. The clinic provides free or low-cost spay/neuter services in the low-income communities where the majority of stray and unwanted pets originate. Since opening our doors, we have spayed/neutered over 80,000 cats and dogs. In 2008, we performed over 15,000 surgeries, the majority at no cost. - Saving the lives those cats and dogs most in need through an innovative adoption center and program. Our state-of-the-art adoption center is located in Chicago's vibrant community of Lincoln Park. This inviting, cageless center provides homeless pets with the care and dignity they deserve while welcoming adopters and providing them with guidance in selecting their new pet. PAWS Chicago is Chicago's Animal Care and Control most committed and dedicated transfer partner. Every day of the week, PAWS Chicago takes dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens from ACC that will become part of our adoption program. PAWS Chicago makes a lifetime commitment to these animals so they will never be at risk of being killed again. In 2008, we saved the lives of over 3,000 homeless cats and dogs. - Educating and partnering with the community to make a difference in the lives of animals. PAWS Chicago believes that by educating the community, the media, volunteers, and donors on the current state of animal welfare and by partnering on implementing proactive solutions that will save lives and make Chicago a "No Kill" city. Our Humane Education and Community Outreach Programs have reached thousands of at-risk children, teenagers, and parents in our at-risk neighborhoods. Our educational programs teach empathy, compassion, caring for pets, and how to stop the cycle of violence. - Volunteers are the life force of the organization. Over 3,000 dedicated volunteers enable the organization to continue to save lives and expand services. Volunteers are integrated and play a significant role in every aspects of the organization - from the adoption program, to the intake program, to our fund raising efforts, and our clinic. Because of their support PAWS Chicago has been able to significantly expand their lives saving efforts each year.
How do most of your animals find their way to you?
What happens to the animals once they are in your care?
Tell us about a particularly compelling animal or inspiring rescue. When Mr. Ed's home was foreclosed upon, his family moved elsewhere, leaving the sweet-natured tabby behind without food or water. A mortgage worker assigned to the home found Mr. Ed hiding in one of the empty rooms, starving and scared. Spotting a group of PAWS Chicago volunteers unloading food to be used for the Emergency Pet Food Bank, the worker asked if they could help Mr. Ed. They then took Mr. Ed to the Lurie Clinic, where he received medical care, nourishing food and a comfortable bed to sleep in. With his strength and confidence improving each day, Mr. Ed will soon be available for adoption and will be united with a family at the Adoption Center. |
 
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PAWS Chicago animal rescue
