PAWS Chicago is the city’s largest No Kill humane organization, focused on implementing solutions to end the killing of homeless pets

Saving Lives

Since PAWS Chicago’s founding in 1997, the number of homeless dogs and cats killed annually has dropped more than 50 percent. PAWS Chicago is working to build a No Kill Chicago—a city where pets are no longer destroyed just because they are homeless.

PAWS Chicago will find new homes for more than 4,400 homeless pets in 2011 through the state-of-the-art Adoption & Humane Center in Lincoln Park. The cageless Adoption Center provides homeless pets with the care and dignity they deserve while welcoming adopters, providing them with guidance in selecting their new pet and continued support for life.

A Solution to Pet Overpopulation

The PAWS Chicago Lurie Spay/Neuter Clinic is the largest free spay/neuter clinic in Chicago and the nation. Strategically located in Little Village, the Lurie Clinic provides free and low-cost spay/neuter services in under-resourced communities where the majority of stray and unwanted pets originate. This year, PAWS Chicago will sterilize more than 18,000 pets.

The Next Generation

PAWS Chicago’s Community Outreach program has reached thousands of at-risk children and teenagers who witness dog-fighting and animal abuse. Educational programs teach empathy, compassion, caring for pets, and how to help stop the cycle of violence.

Volunteers—PAWS Chicago’s Life Force

PAWS Chicago’s 4,000 dedicated volunteers enable the organization to continue to save lives and expand services. Animal care and adoptions are so labor-intensive, it would be impossible to be financially solvent without the people who give themselves and their time to the cause. Volunteers help in each area, including intake; meet-your-match evaluations; animal care and socialization; adoption introduction, counseling, and follow-up; greeting at Adoption Center; fostering; dog walking; community outreach presentations; Lurie Clinic reception and recovery; and special events support. Join the team today!

Efficient Use of Resources

PAWS Chicago has consistently been awarded with the highest Four Star rating by Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest independent charity evaluator. Beyond annual ratings, Charity Navigator has identified PAWS Chicago as one of the best run charities in the country for conscientious use of donor funds.