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Dear Friend,

Rosalia looked like she had grown up on the street, a shy and frightened ball of thickly matted fur.

But she hadn’t. Rosalia had been given up to Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC) when her owner could no longer care for her. We see it often, people struggling to care for themselves who have no way to care for a pet, even one they love.

By the looks of her, Rosalia and her owner had been struggling for a while. Leaving Rosalia behind couldn’t have been easy, but it did give her a second chance.

Neglected and scared, at first she was too terrified to get close. We knew there was a sweet dog buried under all that hair and dirt. And we allowed her to open up slowly, when she was ready.

Once she was transferred to the PAWS Chicago Nan & Wayne Kocourek Medical Center, her transformation began. Her overgrown coat was shaved down, and she was thoroughly examined and treated by our veterinarians, then spayed.

Clean, cared for, and loved by our team, the real Rosalia emerged. Pretty soon she was rolling on her back for tummy rubs.

Within a week she was at our Lincoln Park Adoption Center, and two days later she had found love, warmth and safety with her new family.

Redemption can happen just that fast.

And we cheer when it does. Because everywhere we look pet abandonment is increasing. CACC is overwhelmed, having taken in 2,116 more cats and dogs this year than last, a 17% increase—surrendered by owners, or found wandering the street as strays.

Every day PAWS steps up to help even more pets in need. Now we need you. Together, we have the power to save each one. Please donate.

This holiday season, we're so happy to share stories of triumph and love. Building a No Kill Chicago includes celebrating the pets who are alive and thriving, even as we work to save all those still homeless and at-risk.

Thank you for all you do for homeless pets.