Build bonds with family and your friends at PAWS Chicago! With a parent or guardian, children over 12 years of age can work and participate on behalf of homeless pets.

PAWS Chicago's Family Services Program

In addition to the family services program, there are a number of additional activities that help save the lives of homeless animals.

Wish List Donation Drive
Gather a group of friends to help collect items or develop a group/classroom challenge to see who can collect the most items! When you bring the donated items to the Adoption Center (located at 1997 N. Clybourn Ave.), PAWS Chicago will give you a tour of our facility and introduce you to some of our adoptable dogs and cats!

PAWS Chicago is in need of items from our Wish List to help care for the dogs and cats in our Adoption Program as well as to help with administrative tasks that help us place dogs and cats in loving, caring homes.

Fundraising Ideas

Looking for ways to help save the lives of homeless animals? Consider raising funds for PAWS Chicago! Every penny donated to PAWS Chicago goes directly to helping rescue and adopt cats, dogs, kittens and puppies into loving homes. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Hold a lemonade stand in your neighborhood for the cats and dogs of PAWS Chicago
• Start a “doggy” bank and ask friends and family to contribute
• Hold a bake sale in your neighborhood or at your school in honor of homeless pets
• Collect and recycle plastic bottles and aluminum cans
• Hold a rummage or garage sale
• Host a car or dog wash in your local neighborhood
• Start a penny drive at school and collect loose change
• Feature and sponsor a PAWS Chicago animal for adoption on your favorite social media page
• Suggest that your Girl/Boy Scout troop raise funds to help save the lives of homeless pets

Run for Their Lives

There are many ways to help homeless animals at the annual Run for Their Lives 4k walk/8k Run event, which takes place in early October.

• Walk or Run: Help raise awareness about homeless pets by registering to participate in this great event. You can even bring your own dog to walk with you and your parent or guardian!
• Volunteer: Be a part of the action and register yourself and your parent or guardian to volunteer during the event. Fun volunteer opportunities are available for the entire family, all of which directly help to save the lives of homeless pets.
• Sponsor a Runner/Walker: If you are unable to participate or volunteer at the event, consider sponsoring someone who is by raising money for their participation. See the above section for ways to raise funds which will go to eliminating pet homelessness.