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Dear Friend,
Spring is finally in full swing but, while it feels amazing to be outside, be warned: As the ground thaws, it’s also prime time for Canine Parvovirus, a highly contagious, deadly virus that spreads from dog to dog by direct or indirect contact.
It’s easy to think your dog isn’t at risk. Maybe you’re meticulous about hygiene. Or maybe they don’t go to a doggie daycare. But even these pets can easily contract parvo—not because of anything you’ve done, but because parvo is a sneaky, sticky virus.
"Parvovirus is particularly hearty and can live for months to years. It is resistant to heat, cold, humidity, drying, and many cleaning agents. And even trace amounts of infected feces can transmit the disease,” says PAWS Chicago Medical Chief Officer, Dr. Alycia Eisenstein.
Dr. Eistenstein went on to say, “Not just puppies, but any dog who isn’t vaccinated is most at risk. And, once a puppy or adult dog has their full series of parvo vaccinations, they need to be vaccinated every three years,” says Dr. Eisenstein.
Ensure your pet is safe. Check with your vet and make sure their vaccines are up to date.
For our part, PAWS will continue to protect Chicago’s homeless and at-risk pets. PAWS offers free and low-cost vaccines at the PAWS Chicago Medical Center & Lurie Clinic year-round, and we vaccinate all pets prior to adoption.
Additionally, we have committed to accepting and treating 100% of parvo positive puppies who enter Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC), the city impoundment facility, while implementing a breakthrough parvo treatment that is significantly increasing survival and decreasing time in critical care.
To date, PAWS Chicago has saved the lives of 25 parvo puppies from CACC, all of whom would almost certainly have been euthanized without our intervention and your support.
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Once a PAWS Pet, Always a PAWS Pet
Life happens, so our PAWS lifetime guarantee means we will always welcome a PAWS Chicago alum back with open arms if they need to find a new home. That's what happened with Tahiti, a cat who had been adopted in 2016 as a kitten. See how the PAWS team went the extra mile (or a few hundred) for a pet in need!
What Happened?!
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Upcoming Adoption Event
Spring Adopt-a-Thon
Friday, May 3 – Saturday, May 11
Pippen Fasseas Adoption Center
1997 N. Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
Big, small, fluffy, scruffy, snuggly, athletic, curious, clumsy—the Pippen Fasseas Adoption Center is bustling with every kind of dog, cat, puppy, and kitten you can imagine!
Join us during Spring Adopt-a-Thon May 3–May 11 to see the cutest pets around and meet your new best friend. To help these amazing animals find homes, PAWS Chicago is extending hours and adding appointments on select days throughout the event:
- Friday, May 3: 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
- Saturday, May 4: 11 a.m. –7 p.m.
- Friday, May 10: 11 a. m.–8 p.m.
- Saturday, May 11: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Regular Adoption Center hours are Monday–Friday, noon–7 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. With so many options, it’s never been easier to fit friendship into your schedule!
Sign Me Up!
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IMMEDIATE: Fosters Needed
The Spring Adopt-a-Thon is around the corner, and we need fosters ASAP to help us make room for more pets. Every animal moved into a foster home frees up space to save another life. And, right now, a wide variety of animals are available for fostering.
Change two lives by chumming around with a furry friend for a week!
I want to help!
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Ask PAWS: What if I find a kitten in my neighborhood?
It's getting warmer outside, and that means it's kitten season. Here's what PAWS Chicago Senior Intake Manager Zahra Davenport says you need to know if you find one (or more):
“If kittens are very tiny — less than four weeks or one pound — always leave them be! Mom is most likely coming back. Only if mom doesn't return in 24 hours would it be suitable to intervene and rescue the kittens. If you rescue any kittens, please contact your local area shelter or contact the PAWS intake team at [email protected] or call 773-475-9462 for next steps. But, if you want to dedicate the time and effort to care for the kittens you rescued, take them to your local shelter after 2 months, the age they are eligible for adoption.”
Remember, kitten season is also the perfect time to get involved with TNR in your area. Need more info? Click the buttons for step-by-step instructions on how to help outdoor kittens.
Learn More
What's TNR?
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Save lives sipping coffee
Dan “Big Cat” Katz made a name for himself as a blogger and podcast host on Barstool Sports. Now, he’s making a name for his dog, Stella, who he adopted from PAWS Chicago.
Stella Blue Coffee is a premium blend of 100% Arabica, Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee beans. Awaken your senses with every cup of their rich, aromatic coffee. And, with every sip, you will not only elevate your mornings, but save the lives of homeless pets. A portion of proceeds from every Stella Blue Coffee purchase benefits PAWS Chicago.
Place an order and invigorate your morning routine knowing every sip helps pets in need.
Shop Now
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Volunteer Appreciation Week
Join us in celebrating National Volunteer Appreciation Week (Sunday, April 21–Saturday, April 27) with our Volunteer of the Month: Dave Miretzky. Dave is one of 3,176 volunteers who donated 106,221 hours of service in 2023—equivalent to 51 full-time employees.
See the difference Dave and others are making.
The DIfference
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PAWS Chicago in the Media
FOX 32 Spotlights PAWS Chicago's Medical Center & Lurie Clinic and the team's miraculous work in saving Gus's life. Gus was found gravely injured on the side of the road when a Good Samaritan found him and brought him to the Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC). That's when PAWS tapped in.
See Gus's Story
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The Ultimate Summer Bash is Closer Than You Think
Beach Party
Thursday, July 25, 2024, 6–11 p.m.
Offshore Rooftop at Navy Pier
1000 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Prepare to raise the woof! Score tickets to Beach Party—a summer celebration for more than 500 luau guests and their pets. In addition to unparalleled views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline, Beach Party is an evening of great company, lively music, food, drink, dancing, raffles, and more—all to benefit homeless pets.
Don’t miss this chance to get your daiquiri on while watching dogs dance (with their people) and play in little leis.
Secure My Ticket!
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Apply to be a Fall Intern
Gain valuable experience in animal welfare and nonprofit work with Chicago’s largest No Kill organization. A national leader in the No Kill movement, PAWS Chicago offers a variety of internships for college students seeking career experience and training by industry professionals. Applications are due on June 15.
Join the PAWS Team
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Leah Finds Love
Like many dogs, Leah was not a fan of shelter life. It made her anxious, which deterred some adopters. But not Angela Boomsma.
“The animals in shelters are stressed...who they are outside of the shelter is often different, and better,” says Angela. Her perspective changed Leah’s life.
Leah's Life
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Congrats to these new PAWS alums and their families, just a few of the nearly 100 adoptions we facilitate weekly! PAWS Chicago pets receive a red bandana as a last step before they go home, symbolizing the fulfillment of a lifesaving promise we made when they first arrived. These magical moments are possible because of your support.
Thank you for being a friend to pets in need and making new happy endings happen every single day!
Sincerely,
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