There’s a particular heaviness that settles over the city during a heatwave, not just in the air, but in the kind of calls that flood our phones, that knocks at our front door, and in the cardboard boxes that are left outside our center. This past week in Chicago has been brutal. And while most people are seeking shade, cold drinks, and relief, our [...]
When Macho's former guardian decided to move, there was a limit on how many dogs could come along. Three were chosen. Macho wasn’t one of them. At just one year old, Macho, a small chihuahua with physical disabilities that cause him to walk on his tiptoes and curl his front paws, was left behind. Born with special needs, he already faced an uphill battle. [...]
Today I found myself deep in thought after reading a report that confirmed what many of us in rescue already feel in our bones: the United States has the highest number of animals surrendered to shelters in the world. We're talking about millions - over 6 million cats and dogs entering shelters across the country each year. It’s staggering, heartbreaking, and frankly, exhausting. I [...]
Today, I watched another animal arrive with no idea what had just happened to their world. Eyes dull with confusion. Body trembling. A blanket still smelling faintly of the person they loved more than anything on this earth. It happens more than people want to believe - an animal loses their guardian to death, and with it, their entire sense of safety. And while [...]
I hate the word "deadline." I really do. It sounds like something final, a line you cross and then there’s no going back. We hear it all the time. But not from editors or project managers - from people trying to give up their animals. “I have a deadline. I’m moving by the end of the month.” “My landlord gave me a deadline.” “I [...]
As I sit down to write this, I find myself feeling something close to disbelief. For me, and for so many people I know in rescue, the idea of giving up a beloved companion is almost incomprehensible. Our animals are family. They move with us, just like our children would. If we have a baby, we work harder on boundaries and training. If [...]
Lately, our phones have been ringing off the hook. And you’d think that would be a good thing - maybe it means more people are opening their hearts and homes to the animals who so desperately need them, right? But the reality couldn’t be more disheartening. Only about 2% of the calls we receive are from people inquiring about adoption. The rest? They're from [...]
It’s Christmas Eve. The day before families gather. Food is probably already being prepared, gifts are being wrapped, and holiday music is playing in the background. For most, it’s a time of joy and togetherness. But here at the rescue, our phones are still ringing. Our inboxes are still filling up. The messages we receive are not ones of holiday cheer, but heartbreaking pleas [...]
Animals are often our first companions, the ones who fill our homes with unconditional love long before the arrival of a new baby. Yet, time and again, we see animals abandoned, neglected, or surrendered because they suddenly seem like an inconvenience. They may find themselves displaced from the only family they’ve ever known, landing in already crowded shelters or, heartbreakingly, losing their chance to [...]
Have you ever looked into an animal’s eyes and seen trust, loyalty, even love staring back at you? Now ask yourself - what would you do to protect that trust? How far would you go to honor that bond? Being an advocate for animals means making a promise, a lifelong commitment to be there for them, no matter what. It’s not just feeding them, [...]
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