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PAWS Chicago is focused on implementing solutions to end the killing of homeless pets.

01/03/2025

Yuri’s cheesing this hard because just before he hit his third year anniversary at PAWS, he got adopted!!!!

Yuri’s not the only patient pup whose search for a family finally paid off - this month, Belina and Spyro also found their loving homes! They join so many more special February adoptions, like familiar faces Clue and Daisy, bonded pair Jazz & Jed, senior cancer survivor Mr. Big, former stray Nacho, and every cutie in between ❤️

Congrats to these new alums and their families!! Meet your new best friend at pawschicago.org/adopt

28/02/2025

ADOPTION EVENT: Bobbin, Patch, and Valentino are headed to the River Forest Petco this Saturday in search of loving homes!

Come on by to meet your new best friend, and learn more about each attending pet at pawschicago.org/adopt - look for the pups flagged “Offsite Event”

📍7265 Lake St, River Forest, IL
📆March 1, 1:30-4:30pm

24/02/2025

On February 19, in negative temperatures, a good Samaritan named Elena heard meows coming from an alley.

Thank goodness she went to investigate, because she found this white cat, shivering and calling for help. This poor kitty was injured, with an abscess on his leg, and ulcers and scabs on his paw pads, likely from the exposure to the ice and extreme temperatures. He was also covered in flea dirt and very, very hungry.

It was nearing the end of the day when Elena came to our doors, and knowing he would need medical care, we made this guy a PAWS pet and named him Frosty.

We got Frosty a temporary set-up while we figured out a room for him, and in between big bites of food, Frosty made sure to say his thank you’s – a perfect gentleman.

Frosty is now getting lots of love and medical care with support , and once he’s healed, we’ll be able to help him find a loving home!

20/02/2025

SUPPLY DRIVE: There’s been an increase in lost/stray dogs brought to local police districts, which aren’t equipped with the supplies necessary to receive the dogs and temporarily house them while awaiting transfer to Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC).

To help these dogs in need, we are accepting donations of supplies now through March 15.

The most needed items are:
Stainless steel water & food bowls
Slip leads & leashes
Dog collars
P**p bags

Any new or gently used items are greatly appreciated! We will have a donation bin at our Adoption Center, and we are open 7 days a week for drop-offs.

📍1997 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL
Monday–Friday: 12 – 7pm
Saturday–Sunday: 11am - 5pm

18/02/2025

Little miss Tortellini was found behind a dumpster and brought to Chicago Animal Care & Control, where it was determined the poor kiddo had two broken toes.

We scooped her up last week to provide the medical care she needs, and she’s healing up great so far! These single digit temperatures outside have us extra grateful she’s no longer a stray, alone and in pain.

Instead, she’s safe and warm, her food bowl kept full thanks to our cat feeding partner Purina to help her get big and strong, and PAWS staff and volunteers answering her squeaky demands for pets.

Welcome to a whole new life, Tortellini! This is just the beginning 💛

15/02/2025

1/2 OFF FEES: Today and tomorrow, our big pups have half off adoption fees so you can bring Big Love into your life!

Come by to meet eligible pets at our Adoption Center or visit our website for those in foster care (just fill out an inquiry form during the event for foster pups to get the discount at the time of adoption!)

Find more info on every pet at pawschicago.org/adopt and look for profiles flagged “Big Love” 💝

Adopting not right for you right now? Please share! Big dogs tend to wait the longest in shelters, so let’s get these cuties home!

14/02/2025

ADOPTION EVENT: Find some Puppy Love at Marcus this Saturday! Peony, Palmer, Pierce, and Peter are headed to Hinsdale in search of loving homes!

Learn more about each pup at pawschicago.org/adopt and look for the profiles flagged “Offsite Event” - we'll see you there!

📍MARCUS | 101 S. Washington St. Hinsdale, IL
📆 February 15, 1-4pm

13/02/2025

1/2 OFF FEES: Big Love is back this weekend with 1/2 off adoption fees for our big dogs!

There’s no such thing as too much of a good thing and these pups are proof - you deserve a supersized Valentine!

All the pups you see here are eligible and will be available to meet at our Adoption Center on February 15 & 16, but there’s so many more at pawschicago.org/adopt - look for the pets flagged “Big Love” 💘

Plus when you’re headed home with your new big bestie, our dog feeding partner Kismet will also be sending you home with food to get you guys started!

📍1997 N Clybourn Ave
📆Feb 15 & 16, 11am-5pm

10/02/2025

Hey PAWS community! We’ve compiled a year-in-review of all the important work that, together, we accomplished for homeless and at-risk pets last year. We’re excited to share how you’ve helped save lives because it’s your support that make this lifesaving possible.

In 2024, we focused on expanding and innovating lifesaving programs to address the growing crisis of pet homelessness and abandonment. Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC), the city pound, took in over 15,200 pets — 2,295 more than the previous year. Despite this surge in homeless pets, PAWS worked hand-in-hand with CACC to implement innovative solutions and save countless lives.

Chicago is more than just our home base — it’s the heart of everything we do. This city is our community, our lifeline, and our focus. While the number of homeless pets across the nation and in Chicago continues to climb, there is good news: we’re making a difference.

Thank you for standing with us, for believing in our mission, and for giving hope to the pets who need it most.

See the report: https://www.pawschicago.org/2024-impact-report

07/02/2025

Another Meow Mixer is just around the corner - a virtual adoption event to meet cats in foster homes and chat with their foster families!

You’ll get to know all about what life looks like with these spectacular cats that you won’t typically find at our Adoption Center. Looking for a chill, independent companion? Dancing Lady, Kaia, Carissa, Skittles, or Muffin could be your perfect match!

Or missing a little more excitement in your life? Alvaro or Fairy will keep you endlessly entertained as they pounce and chase after wand toys and faux mice. The toy section was made with these guys in mind!

Join us Tuesday, February 11, from 6-7:30pm to meet your new best friend. Learn more and register at pawschicago.org/meowmixer

In order of appearance: Kaia, Dancing Lady, Skittles, Fairy, Carissa, Alvaro, Muffin

05/02/2025

We met Wanda at CACC after she’d been found as a stray. She was extremely matted, weak, running a high fever, and had symptoms of pyometra, a life-threatening infection of the uterus that requires immediate treatment.

It was the end of the day, and our surgeon was on her way home, but Wanda didn’t have time to wait. While Wanda was rushed over to our Medical Center, our surgeon rushed back to perform her emergency surgery that evening.

Once in surgery, we discovered Wanda was septic, meaning the infection had entered her bloodstream and was now circulating through her whole body. Getting through surgery was only half the battle - she was also dehydrated, hypoglycemic, had a respiratory infection, a heart arrhythmia, and cardiomegaly (enlarged heart), all while still having to overcome sepsis.

It took a week in critical care to get Wanda back on her feet. Antibiotics fought off the infection, her blood sugar levels balanced, and her respiratory infection cleared up - then our focus turned to her heart. Our hope was that the arrhythmia and cardiomegaly were reactions to the sepsis, and could clear up with time and TLC.

After a break in foster care, we brought in a cardiologist who confirmed - Wanda’s heart was back in great shape! It had been a long battle for this little survivor, and just hours after she arrived at our Adoption Center, Wanda found a family to catch her up on a lifetime of spoiling ❤️ Welcome home, Wanda!

05/02/2025

Craisin and her sideburns are brand new to PAWS, but she’s already got us all wrapped around her littlest toe bean!

We’re not sure if Craisin is naturally hairless or if this is temporary for her - she’s the only one of her litter who arrived in her birthday suit, but they’re all in great health and getting ready for adoption now!

02/02/2025

Last night was Biscuit and her babies’ first night at Chicago Animal Care & Control. It was also their last - this family became PAWS pets today!�

Biscuit and her 3-week-old puppies were surrendered to CACC on Saturday, and with fragile immune systems, needed to get out right away. They’ve now moved into a quiet suite at our Medical Center while we find a foster home for them to be spoiled in for the next month.

Welcome to PAWS, Biscuit, Barley, Brownie, Biscotti, Brioche, Bagel, and Baguette 💛

01/02/2025

Summer internships are now open!

Gain valuable experience in animal welfare and non-profit work with Chicago’s largest No Kill organization. PAWS Chicago offers a variety of internships for college students seeking career experience, academic credit, and training by industry professionals!

Applications close March 15, view open opportunities at https://www.pawschicago.org/how-to-help/internships

31/01/2025

We really felt the love in January, and this Red Bandana Round-Up is packed with familiar faces - like social media stars Oswald, Basil, Caramelo, Darby, Miracle, and Ruby, longterm pups Rincy, Bodie, Pokey, and Lydia, and every new alum in between who hit the jackpot this month.

What a special way to start 2025 with you all, thank you for loving these PAWS pets ❤️

31/01/2025

Rainy day Laine took one step outside today and decided she didn’t need to take another. Wake her up when the sun comes back.

Meet this relatable queen at our Adoption Center or find her full profile at https://www.pawschicago.org/pet-available-for-adoption/showdog/82471🐞

23/01/2025

Isaiah is picking out his Dog Threads outfit, which do you think is his color?

We’re partial to seeing Isaiah in red, especially PAWS alum bandana red! Are you the lucky family to scoop him up?

Isaiah came to us from Chicago Animal Care and Control in need of help recovering from pneumonia, and we were honored to help him recover and get ready to find a family!

Isaiah’s foster reports share similar themes: his love of belly rubs, his signature sploot (check out his profile photos!), mastery of sit and shake, and ability to make the most of any lap real estate. Sounds like your kind of guy? Come in and meet him!

Isaiah would like to be the only pet at home, and will thrive in a low traffic neighborhood and a home with older kiddos. He’ll also thrive being your best friend - find his full profile at https://www.pawschicago.org/pet-available-for-adoption/showdog/82152

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There’s so much we don’t know about Orchid’s past. If she was a stray that had puppies, if she was dumped after weaning a litter, or where her puppies are today, we just hope that they’re okay. We know so much more about her future. Orchid is bound for a life full of love, comfort, and happiness. In fact, it’s already begun here at PAWS! Orchid arrived underweight and suffering from skin issues, so her recovery here has been soothing baths and lots of food to help her feel her best again. Each day we see her feel a little less nervous and have a little more fun 🩷 Next for Orchid is a surgery at our Medical Center to remove a mammary mass, but keep an eye out for this beautiful girl at our Adoption Center soon!