paws chicago magazine 2013 summer

Around PAWS Chicago
PAWS Chicago Foster Dog Saves the Day
In early May, PAWS Chicago homeless dog Ewok’s foster home was
broken into by an intruder. Ewok and his canine foster sister, Emma,
heard the intruder walking up the stairs and sat by the door wagging
their tails. “A few moments later, the door slowly began to open,” said
Lena, Ewok’s foster mom. After seeing the intruder, Lena started to
scream and dialed 911. Once the tone in her voice turned urgent, Ewok,
a small but scrappy five-year-old Yorkie/Carin Terrier mix, sprang into
action.“Ewok stopped wagging his tail, the hair on his back stood up
and he charged at the door,” said Lena. “The man at the door began
yelling and retreated down the stairs. He tried to come up a second
time, but this time, Ewok didn’t give him a second chance – he chased
him all the way down the stairs and off the property, barking and
pushing the intruder along.”
When the police arrived, Ewok returned to his normal, calm self and
remained at Lena’s feet, allowing the police to walk through the home.
He spent the night sleeping at the door, guarding the family all night.
According to Lena, “Ewok has a remarkable sense of what is dangerous
and what is not. We feel extremely fortunate to have this little guy
here to prevent a bad situation from becoming even worse. Ewok is
incredibly loyal and friendly and deserves a forever home where he can
get a lot of exercise and attention!”
Ewok came to PAWS Chicago from the city pound after being
found wandering the street as a stray. Once he is medically cleared for
adoption, he will make his way to PAWS Chicago’s Adoption Center to
begin the search for his forever family.
Foster families are a critical component of PAWS Chicago’s adoption
program, enabling PAWS Chicago to save more homeless animals by
making space available at our Rescue & Recovery Center. Fosters are
needed to care for puppies and kittens until they are old enough to be
spayed/neutered or pets needing a comfortable place and TLC to heal
or rehabilitate before they are ready for adoption.
If you are interested in welcoming a pet(s) into your
home and providing them with a temporary place to
call home, please contact the foster program at
foster@pawschicago.org or 773-475-9464.
By fostering an animal, you are saving a life – but, at
times, they might also save yours! If you are interested
in becoming a pet foster, please visit:
pawschicago.org/volunteer/foster-care
Natural Disaster Support
Pet Lovers Speaker Series & PET LOSS SUPPORT GROUP
Please join us and learn more about the wonderful world of animals! All seminars will take place at PAWS Chicago’s
Adoption Center at 1997 N. Clybourn from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Complimentary parking
available at the Anixter Center, 2032 N. Clybourn Avenue. Turn West on Magnolia.
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Liz at (773) 475-4240 or ewhittington@pawschicago.org.
Read more about the speakers and Speaker Series > pawschicago.org/speakerseries
Building a No Kill Chicago
Wednesday, June 19
Join PAWS Chicago co-founders Paula and Alexis Fasseas as
they talk about the history of PAWS Chicago and the No Kill
model. After a century of silence around the rampant killing
of homeless pets, the No Kill movement has ushered in a new
age of lifesaving and transparency. Learn about this important
movement and participate in a Questions & Answers session
about building No Kill communities.
Nutrition and the Health of Your Pet
Tuesday, July 23
A majority of pets’ illnesses can be cured by simply changing
what’s in their food bowl. Learn from Dr. Barbara Royal,
author of The Royal Treatment: A Natural Approach to Wildly
Healthy Pets, about her philosophy that bridges traditional
Western veterinary medicine and alternative strategies.
The Burgeoning Field of Shelter Medicine
Wednesday, August 21
Learn about how the new field of shelter medicine is saving
more lives from PAWS Chicago’s Executive Director Rochelle
Michalek and Shelter Medicine Veterinarian Dr. Barbara
Hanek, who will share stories about remarkable recoveries
of some of our most vulnerable homeless pets. They will
share PAWS Chicago’s progressive and innovative approach
to caring for a diverse population of animals coming from
stressful situations, treating each one as an individual and
achieving an industry-leading 97% save rate.
The Science of Animal Behavior
Tuesday, September 17
Dr. Sara Bennett, Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist at
VCA, routinely consults on PAWS Chicago’s most challenging
cases. Come learn about the science of animal behavior, hear
about fascinating cases and participate in a Q&A session.
The Critical Path of Dog Training
& Socialization
Wednesday, October 23
PAWS Chicago trainer Joan Harris of K9 University
will discuss the importance of training, socializing and
communicating with dogs.
PAWS Chicago HEAL Pet Loss Support Group
Third Wednesday each month, starting June 19;
7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Are you struggling with the loss of a pet? Join us for PAWS
Chicago’s HEAL (Helping Each other Alleviate Loss) Pet
Loss Support Group at the PAWS Chicago Adoption Center
at 1997 N. Clybourn. The support group is facilitated by
a licensed professional counselor, and is designed to help
grieving pet parents work together to deal with the difficult
emotions related to losing a pet in a calm, safe, and nonjudgmental
atmosphere. Refreshments will be served. This
pet loss support group is provided to the general public as a
complimentary service, thanks to generous contributions by
Hinsdale Pet Memorial Services.
In April, Marseilles, Illinois, a town 75 miles southwest of
Chicago was devastated by floods. About 200 homes were a
total loss and many more were severely damaged with onethird
of the town evacuated.
PAWS Chicago provided emergency pet food and supplies
to hundreds of displaced cats and dogs in the area, delivering
six pallets of food and treats, as well as other pet supplies
including collars and leashes, food bowls, litter boxes, toys and
Fifth Annual 36-Hour Adopt-A-Thon
more, to the Petco in DeKalb which served as a centralized
donation drop-off center. These contributions helped not only
the residents and pets in Marseilles and surrounding cities,
but also Safe House Animal Rescue, PAWS Chicago’s barn cat
PAWS Chicago celebrated the joy of the
PAWS Chicago
adoption partner, and Spay it Forward, a provider of spay/
holiday season by hosting the fifth annual
volunteers load pet
neuter services in the area.
Adopt-A-Thon, a 36-hour adoption event to
supplies at the Rescue
PAWS Chicago would like to thank the Petco in DeKalb for
drive awareness and adoptions of Chicago’s
& Recovery Center
before heading to
serving as a donation drop-off center, the Petco stores in South
homeless pets.
DeKalb, Illinois to
Elgin, St. Charles and Geneva for setting up donation bins to
The event was an amazing success which
provide relief to pets
help more residents and their pets, and the dedicated PAWS
in need.
found loving homes for 144 homeless cats,
Chicago volunteers who helped bring these supplies to those
dogs, kittens and puppies!
in need.
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