September Update: Lifesaving surgeries, little Love, and volunteer inspo

Dear Friend,

Homeless pets Lupe and Jordan both found themselves at Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC), the city impoundment facility. They were healthy and excited to find families, but something stood in their way—spay/neuter surgery.

At CACC, there’s a long list of pets awaiting spay/neuter due to limited veterinary resources. Unfortunately, unaltered pets cannot be adopted and they’re much less likely to be transferred. This means many animals’ lives are on hold until surgery.

To help these pets get into homes, PAWS is now providing free spay/neuter services for CACC—every week, we transport and provide surgeries for more than 10 homeless pets, focusing on large-breed dogs who require more resources and often take longer to find families.

The results have been incredible, and for the individual animals, it’s been nothing short of a lifesaver.

“From August 2023 to August 2024, PAWS performed 665 surgeries for homeless pets at CACC, including 451 large-breed dogs. Afterward, 70% of those animals were adopted or transferred to another shelter within just two weeks of surgery and 82% within the first month of surgery,” reports Aparna Brush, PAWS Chicago Vice President of Data, Analytics & Program Management.

Additionally, PAWS has expanded this program to other shelters lacking veterinary resources—we now offer highly subsidized vetting and spay/neuter packages for CACC pets who are being transferred.

Lupe and Jordan were both adopted from CACC within days of surgery. With overcrowding still a crisis at CACC, we continue to find new ways to save more lives and build the No Kill Chicago we know is possible. Thank you for standing with us as we continue to fight for the pets we love.

Learn more about how PAWS is protecting the most vulnerable:

360@CACC

Learning to Love Again

Every day for this young cat was sunny and safe... until it wasn’t. Read about how PAWS Chicago helped her learn to love again.

Loads of Love

Upcoming Adoption Events

Angels with Tails Winnetka
Saturday, September 28, noon–4 p.m.
At storefronts across downtown Winnetka

Join us for a community-wide, fun-for-all adoption event. Some Winnetka shops will also have special pet-themed activities for the family.

Learn More

Subaru Adoption Event
Saturday, October 5, noon–3 p.m.
Napleton’s Schaumburg Subaru
911 W Higgins Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60195

If you’re an animal-lover and an auto-enthusiast, this event is for you. Join us for Subaru’s annual “Loves Pets” campaign to meet adoptable pets who would love to ride home with you.

Poppi & Puppies Adoption Event
Sunday, October 6, noon–2 p.m.
Mariano's Western Springs (4700 Gilbert Ave, Western Springs)
Mariano's South Loop (1615 S Clark St, Chicago)
Mariano’s Palatine (545 N Hicks Rd, Palatine)

PAWS will be popping up at three Mariano’s locations for this special adoption day. In addition to onsite adoptions there will be chances to win prize packs from PAWS, Mariano’s, and Poppi.

Fashion Outlets of Chicago Adoption Event
Saturday, October 19, noon–3 p.m.
Fashion Outlets of Chicago
5220 Fashion Outlets Way, Rosemont, IL 60018

The only thing better than a bargain is sharing it with a new best friend. Come meet adoptable PAWS dogs outside of Forever 21—you might just find the perfect, furry fit.

Volunteer of the Month: Sheronda Shepherd

There are countless causes and organizations for volunteering, but Sheronda Shepherd says there’s absolutely nothing like volunteering at PAWS Chicago:

“PAWS is categorically different. You see and feel the impact of your contributions in real time. This has been the most incredible volunteer experience of my life."

Meet Sheronda

Ask PAWS: Can dogs get seasonal allergies?

You bet! Itchy skin, watery eyes, and sniffles can affect your pup. Fall allergies in dogs are a thing, and they’re triggered by the same environmental factors that affect humans.

Learn about the causes, symptoms, and management of allergies in pups from our good friends and feeding partners JustFoodForDogs.

Scratch the Itch

Belle of the Ball

Belle was overlooked at Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC), the city impoundment facility, for two months. But in less than half of that time at PAWS Chicago, she found her heart's desire.

“Belle completes our family in the best way. We couldn’t imagine our lives without her,” says adopter Luis Ramos.

Beautiful Belle

Red Bandana Celebrations: First Family Photos

Our Lincoln Park Adoption Center had quite a busy month, with over 200 adoptions since the start of September! Check out some of these adorable first shots of families with their new furry friends. We constantly have new animals join the PAWS family. Stop by our adoption center if you're interested in an addition to your family. If you want to help these animals find their perfect match, become a volunteer!

See Adoptable Pets

Thank you for all you do to save the lives of homeless pets,

Our mailing address is:
1997 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.