PAWS Chicago's History of Lifesaving


When PAWS Chicago was founded in 1997, more than 800 homeless cats and dogs were being killed in Chicago every week, totaling a staggering 42,561 deaths that year alone.
And no one knew.

PAWS Chicago was founded to end the unnecessary killing of homeless pets by informing and engaging the public and the media to help bring about change. When people are aware made aware of these horrific numbers, they recognize the reality and become part of the solution.

Through high-profile events and public awareness campaigns, PAWS Chicago has put a face on this once hidden problem, and results were immediately visible. After PAWS Chicago brought the killing to public attention in 1998, the number of animals destroyed was reversed… and has fallen every year since.

The killing rate of homeless animals in Chicago has been reduced by half since its founding in 1997. But there is still much work to be done.

Leading the Way
Solutions to Pet Overpopulation

PAWS Chicago is the largest No Kill humane organization in Chicago. Through innovative Angels with Tails dog and cat adoption events held every weekend at shopping centers, retail stores, and banks, PAWS Chicago is saving lives and educating the public.

However adoption alone will never solve this problem. Spay/Neuter is the only proven solution to reduce the oversupply of homeless dogs and cats.



By opening and operating the PAWS Chicago Lurie Family Spay/Neuter Clinic, Chicago's only high-volume, free clinic located in and serving low-income communities where the majority of stray and unwanted pets originate, PAWS Chicago is effectively reducing pet overpopulation. The Lurie Clinic was recently featured in the national PBS documentary Best Friend Forgotten.

The Lurie Clinic is spaying and neutering more than 14,000 pets each year. As a result, since the Lurie Clinic opened in 2001, 60% of the reduction of euthanasia of homeless dogs and cats in Chicago can be attributed to fewer animals entering shelters. Spay/Neuter works.
 

Caging Animals, A Way of the Past
Transforming Animal Sheltering in Chicago

Confinement in traditional cages often causes animals severe stress and anxiety. In these conditions, lonely dogs and cats develop suppressed immunities and contract illness, pass on disease, and deteriorate emotionally and behaviorally. As a result, traditional (kill) shelters deem these pets "unadoptable" and they are euthanized.

Additionally, municipal animal control agencies and many shelters are often located in out-of-the-way neighborhoods or industrial districts with little foot traffic. Because few people visit these sites, the animals have little hope of being adopted. Thankfully, there is another way to house and care for these animals until loving homes can be found, and there is another way to welcome in the community and ensure that every animal gets another chance at life.

 

PAWS Chicago Adoption and Humane Center
A New Home, A New Way for Chicago's Homeless Pets

 Last September, PAWS Chicago celebrated a milestone by opening the Midwest’s first No Kill, cageless, state-of-the-art Adoption Center for dogs and cats in Lincoln Park. Based on adoption numbers since the opening, PAWS Chicago is on track to secure forever homes for more than 3,000 homeless pets this year. With this increase in adoptions, the cost of medical treatments and caring for homeless pets have greatly increased.

PAWS Chicago has consulted with sheltering and behavior experts across the country to ensure that the design, operations, and practices of the new Center will offer the best temporary care and comfort for the homeless animal guests, while easing their transition into permanent homes once adopted. The Center's innovative features will enhance the physical and emotional health, and therefore the adoptability, of its homeless dogs and cats, with:

  • Suites instead of cages to ensure a quiet, relaxed environment
  • Ventilation system with 100% fresh air flow to eliminate disease transmission
  • Enrichment area for daily exercise, agility and training
  • Matchmaker program to match pet characteristics to adopter’s lifestyle
  • Treatment & Medical Care Center to treat all animals