paws-chicago-magazine-2011-winter

kids cornerThese kids are fifinding great ways to lend a helping hand to homeless animals.the West Pullman, Roseland,Englewood and surroundingneighborhoods with accessiblespay/neuter services from Maythrough October. “Thanks tothe GusMobile, we are ableto serve the community fromtwo different locations so thatresidents are never too far awayfrom help,” said Shannon. “Wejust wrapped up our first seasonwith more than 600 surgeriesperformed, and we look forwardto an amazing 2012.”Shannon joined PAWSChicago in June 2010 andbrought with her several years ofknowledge from both a medicaland business backgroundwithin the veterinary industry.“Through the years, I havegained experience in just aboutevery position in traditionalanimal hospitals,” she said. “Ihave really enjoyed bringing myprivate practice knowledge toshelter medicine at PAWS.”Inspired by making theworld a better place, Shannonis committed to spending hertime helping innocent animals.“It’s so rewarding to be a part ofan organization with so muchheart and passion behind it,”said Shannon. “My colleaguesand the volunteers who supportPAWS Chicago’s No Kill missionare some of the most driven andhumble people I have had thepleasure of working with. It istruly an honor to be a part ofsomething so great. And whatother job encourages hugginga kitten or playing fetch with apuppy on your lunch break?!”Sisters Olivia (9) and Ava (7) sharea love of animals and dream of oneday opening their own pet rescue.After a visit to PAWS Chicago,where they fell in love with Red,the paralyzed Pit Bull, the girlswere inspired to do more. In lieuof presents for her birthday, Oliviagenerously requested donationsfor homeless pets. Further, Oliviaand Ava delivered letters to theirneighbors and teachers asking fordonations for PAWS Chicago, theirfavorite charity. Thanks to theircharitable efforts, the sisters raisedmore than $600! Ava, who is aboutto turn eight, is also planning to askfor donations to PAWS and bothgirls look forward to volunteering atPAWS Chicago as soon as they areold enough.GiannaOlivia& AvaGianna (9) is an avid animal lover whois committed to doing her part to helpsave the lives of homeless animals.After reading about PAWS Chicago’sNo Kill mission, Gianna decided thatone way she could help was to askher birthday party guests to bringgifts for the pets at PAWS in lieu ofpresents for herself. Thanks to herselfless act, Gianna donated a numberof pet supplies – including a dog crate,laundry soap, leashes, collars, dogfood, shampoo, treats, bowls and toys– to cats and dogs in need!JoshFrom a young age, Josh was taughtthe importance of helping others.When his family adopted their twodogs, Sampson and Delilah, froma shelter, Josh (13) was inspired todo his part and chose to devote hisMitzvah project to helping animals atPAWS Chicago. The invitation to hisBar Mitzvah asked guests to bringin donations, and while at the party,Josh spoke about the No Kill missionand worked with friends to assemble150 dog collars. Thanks to Josh’sdedication to helping animals, hecollected and donated nearly $1,000worth of ‘wish list’ items, includingcleaning supplies, toys, food, treatsand gift cards, all of which willdirectly help save the lives of morehomeless pets.AllieAllie (13) has been a supporter ofPAWS Chicago from the start. Whenshe turned 12, Allie put her love ofanimals into action by dedicating herMitzvah project to helping homelesspets. She volunteered her time inthe Family Service program andparticipated in Run for Their Liveswith her cousin Meg. Recently,in celebration of her Bat Mitzvah,Allie chose to do even more. In lieuof gifts, she asked for donationson behalf of PAWS Chicago. Herrequest was an overwhelmingsuccess – she received donationstotaling more than $3,000! Thanks toAllie’s kindness and generosity, shehelped make a life-saving differencein the lives of these sweet pets.43