Dear Friend,

Meet Drake. Hearing a few moments of his story will put some sunshine in your day. Especially since you helped save his life.

A stray cat, Drake was found on a recent rainy Tuesday. He was outside the PAWS Chicago Nan & Wayne Kocourek Medical Center, soaking wet, cold, and weak.

Our staff member, Xiomara, found him and brought him inside for care.

Drake was severely dehydrated and in acute renal failure—his kidneys were failing fast. He was vomiting, his fever was nearly 107 degrees, and he had a respiratory infection to top it off.

We needed to find out why, and fast. Thanks to supporters like you, we have the diagnostic tools at the ready to do so. Our medical team, led by Dr. Zdziarski-West and Dr. Yacker, quickly found the cause of his distress—a foreign body in his stomach—and we got Drake right into surgery to remove it.

After removing a piece of corn cob that had been blocking his digestion, Drake still has a bit of a recovery ahead. But with lots of fluids and medications, Drake keeps getting stronger.

These stories don’t happen without the support of our entire PAWS community. And we’re so grateful for you. If you haven’t already, please join us in protecting homeless and at risk pets this holiday season. There are so many opportunities to adopt, foster, volunteer, or donate. Together, we’ll build a No Kill Chicago.

And Drake?

Today, Drake is in a foster home with one of our PAWS volunteers, soaking in the TLC—instead of the rain.

Thank you for all you do for homeless pets.