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LASplash.com: Family PAWS Chicago Review – If You Like Pets, You’ll Love PAWS By Beth Hannon
PAWS Chicago (Pets Are Worth Saving) is the city's largest No Kill humane organization. Its part of a No Kill dream that started in San Francisco in 1994, and is continuing to grow around the nation. PAWS Chicago is the first cage less, No Kill shelter to be founded in the Midwest and every month people from all over are visiting PAWS to see how they, too, can bring a No Kill future to their communities.
Since PAWS Chicago's founding in 1997, the number of homeless dogs and cats killed annually has dropped more than 50 percent: from 42,561 pets killed in 1997 to 19,701 in 2006. But those at PAWS, and around Chicago, know that this is not good enough- PAWS is striving to build a No Kill Chicago-a city where pets are no longer killed just because they are homeless.
As well as bringing better practices to Chicago, and helping animals to live the happy and healthy life they deserve, PAWS has been recognized as one of the nation’s best run charities. When PAWS began, it was run by volunteers, and today has over 3,000 volunteers that assist with dog walking, cat cuddling, adoption counseling, fundraising, fostering the homeless animals- and in return, receive the benefits of the one of a kind warmth and love that only spending time with an animal can bring to a person.
If you are a Chicago resident, you have probably seen or heard about PAWS adoption center, started in 2003, on 1997 N. Clybourn. As well as this, PAWS also runs the Lurie Family FREE and Low Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic, which has performed over 57,000 surgeries since opening in 2001, over 70% of these are free for Chicago residents on Public Assistance, and for Feral Cats.
To make it possible to save these thousands of animal’s lives, in addition to donations, PAWS hosts many annual events to raise money for the animals. PAWS Chicago receives no city, state, or federal funding, so they are only able to continue to thrive if donations are supplemented by money raised at their annual events. These events include weekend dog adoption days at different locations around the city, the 6-year and counting annual beach party held in the summertime, and the next big event- being held on November 14- the 7th Annual Fur Ball, Chicago's premier pet-friendly, black-tie gala featuring live and silent auction, dinner-buffet, dancing, open bar and live music, at The Drake Hotel.
The community and volunteer involvement at these facilities is overwhelming, but they are always looking for more helping hands and people willing to foster loving fur balls for short periods of time in their homes. To find out more about attending a PAWS volunteer orientation, the door at their Clybourn location is always open and welcoming to let enquiring minds learn about the endless opportunities to help save thousands of animals lives, and hopefully one day make the dream of a kill free Chicago come true. PAWS sponsors a variety of great activities and offers many opportunities for donations. For more information: www.pawschicago.org Published Oct 16, 2008 © Copyright 2003-2004 by LA Splash.com |
