PAWS Chicago - Community Outreach

Happy Saturday! Some of the Community Outreach team and interns spent the morning outside Kocourek Medical Center & Lurie Clinic getting to know neighbors, sharing info about our low-cost services, and giving away pet toys and supplies.

One of our goals this summer is getting more involved in the community our medical center calls home. Fun fact: the 26th Street corridor in Little Village is Chicago’s highest-grossing commercial district after the Magnificent Mile. We are glad to be part of this neighborhood.

If you have questions about our services, reach us at [email protected].

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Feliz sabado desde la Calle 26! Parte del equipo de Alcance Comunitario y nuestros practicantes estuvieron esta manana afuera de Kocourek Medical Center & Lurie Clinic conociendo vecinos, compartiendo informacion sobre nuestros servicios de bajo costo, y regalando juguetes y suministros para mascotas.

Uno de nuestros objetivos este verano es involucrarnos mas en la comunidad donde se encuentra nuestro centro medico. Dato curioso: el corredor de la Calle 26 en Little Village es el distrito comercial mas alto de Chicago despues de la Magnificent Mile. Nos alegra ser parte de este vecindario.

Si tienes preguntas sobre nuestros servicios, escribenos a [email protected].

Last week, the veterinary social work teams from MedVet Chicago and PAWS Chicago spent the day together visiting both the PAWS Chicago Kocourek Medical Center & Lurie Clinic and Chicago Animal Care and Control.

Families often arrive at a shelter not because they want to give up a pet, but because they have run out of options. A medical emergency, rising veterinary costs, pet restrictions in housing, job loss, or a personal crisis can quickly put the human-animal bond at risk.

Veterinary social workers help bridge that gap. In hospitals, they support families through difficult diagnoses, treatment decisions, emergencies, and end-of-life care. In shelters, they work upstream, helping families access resources that may allow them to stay together.

Collaboration between animal welfare, veterinary medicine, and social services helps create more pathways to care, improves outcomes for pets and families, and strengthens efforts focused on both saving lives and keeping pets in loving homes.

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La semana pasada, los equipos de trabajo social veterinario de MedVet Chicago y PAWS Chicago pasaron el día juntos visitando tanto el PAWS Chicago Kocourek Medical Center & Lurie Clinic como Chicago Animal Care and Control.

Muchas familias llegan a un refugio no porque quieran entregar a su mascota, sino porque se han quedado sin opciones. Una emergencia médica, el aumento en los costos veterinarios, restricciones de vivienda para mascotas, la pérdida de empleo o una crisis personal pueden poner rápidamente en riesgo el vínculo entre las personas y sus animales.

Los trabajadores sociales veterinarios ayudan a cerrar esa brecha. En los hospitales, apoyan a las familias durante diagnósticos difíciles, decisiones de tratamiento, emergencias y cuidados al final de la vida. En los refugios, trabajan de manera preventiva, ayudando a las familias a acceder a recursos que les permitan permanecer juntas.

La colaboración entre el bienestar animal, la medicina veterinaria y los servicios sociales ayuda a crear más caminos hacia la atención, mejora los resultados para las mascotas y sus familias, y fortalece los esfuerzos enfocados tanto en salvar vidas como en mantener unidas a las personas con los animales que aman.

Nothing like a sunny Friday to get some spring cleaning done! Our volunteers spent the afternoon washing the community outreach vans after another week of PAWS For Life transports. Thank you volunteers for everything you do! 🕶️☀️

Upcoming Pet Food Pantry with Community Innovation Center! Our team will be on site to support and provide TNR appointment scheduling!

Free spay and neuter services are available to residents of Back of the Yards, Englewood, West Englewood, and Woodlawn through PAWS Chicago's Lurie Clinic!

Through PAWS for Life, qualifying pet owners can access free spay or neuter surgery, vaccines, microchip, de-wormer, and flea and tick prevention. To qualify, you must live in zip code 60609, 60621, 60636, or 60637 and have a Medicaid or County Care card.
Schedule your appointment here: https://www.pawschicago.org/our-work/spayneuter/lurie-clinic
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¿Sabías que los residentes de Back of the Yards, Englewood, West Englewood y Woodlawn pueden obtener servicios gratuitos de esterilización para sus mascotas a través de la Clínica Lurie de PAWS Chicago?

A través de PAWS for Life, los dueños de mascotas que califiquen pueden acceder a cirugía de esterilización gratuita, vacunas, microchip, desparasitante y prevención de pulgas y garrapatas. Para calificar, debes vivir en el código postal 60609, 60621, 60636 o 60637 y tener tarjeta de Medicaid o County Care.
Programa tu cita aquí: https://www.pawschicago.org/our-work/spayneuter/lurie-clinic See less

Looking to break into animal welfare or nonprofit work?

PAWS Chicago is now accepting applications for internships across a variety of departments. Gain hands-on experience with Chicago's largest No Kill organization, build real-world skills alongside industry professionals, and make a direct lifesaving impact for homeless pets.

Plus, yes - there will absolutely be animal cuddles along the way.

Internships are in-person, unpaid, and open to applicants 18+ who can commit 12-20 hours per week. Priority consideration is given to students seeking academic credit and those interested in career experience in a relevant field.

Apply by June 15: https://www.pawschicago.org/how-to-help/internships

Looking for a rental that accepts your pet? My Pit Bull is Family hosts the nation's largest database of dog-inclusive rentals. Search by address, city, or zip code to find properties with no breed or weight restrictions, or that allow dogs over 60 pounds, have passed a pet interview, or hold a Canine Good Citizen certification.

Find dog-friendly housing near you: mypitbullisfamily.org/housing
Note that listings are leads, not guarantees. Always contact the property directly to confirm their current pet policy before applying.

We know that housing is one of the biggest barriers keeping pets and families apart. We work to connect people across Chicago with the resources they need to stay together. If you are facing a housing situation that puts your pet at risk, reach out to us. We want to help.

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¿Esta buscando un apartamento que acepte a su perro? My Pit Bull is Family tiene la base de datos mas grande del pais de viviendas que aceptan perros. Busque por direccion, ciudad o codigo postal para encontrar propiedades sin restricciones de raza o peso, o que permitan perros de mas de 60 libras, que hayan pasado una entrevista de mascotas, o que tengan la certificacion Canine Good Citizen.

Encuentre viviendas que acepten perros cerca de usted: mypitbullisfamily.org/housing
Tenga en cuenta que los listados son referencias, no garantias. Siempre contacte directamente a la propiedad para confirmar su politica actual de mascotas antes de aplicar.

Sabemos que la vivienda es una de las mayores barreras que separa a las mascotas de sus familias. Trabajamos para conectar a las personas en toda Chicago con los recursos que necesitan para mantenerse juntos. Si enfrenta una situacion de vivienda que pone en riesgo a su mascota, comuniquese con nosotros. Queremos ayudar.

National Dog Inclusive Rental Database — My Pit Bull is Family National Dog Inclusive Rental Database   Here, we host the nation’s largest database of dog-inclusive rentalsThis includes properties that:– have no breed or weight restrictions– have weight restrictions ≥ 60-70 lbs– allow dogs that have a Canine Good Citizen certification or after passin...

The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control is hosting a Partners in Prevention clinic with free Rabies, Distemper and Leptospirosis vaccines and microchips this Saturday from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Breakthrough FamilyPlex! Clinics run through mid-October. Check out all the clinic locations and details here: http://cookgov.me/petclinics.

Upcoming Clinics

On Saturday, May 16, 2026
at 5555 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60639

On Saturday, May 16, 2026
at 2310 Oakton St., Evanston, IL 60202

On Thursday, May 21, 2026
at 519 E. 103rd St., Chicago, IL 60628

On Saturday, May 23, 2026
at 425 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights, IL 60411

On Saturday, May 30, 2026
at 1551 N. Kedzie Ave., Chicago, IL 60651

On Thursday, June 4, 2026
at 3315 W Ogden Ave., Chicago, IL 60623

On Saturday, June 6, 2026
at 4555 Ruby St., Schiller Park, IL 60176

On Saturday, June 6, 2026
at 3327 W. 137th St., Robbins, IL 60472

On Saturday, June 6, 2026
at 5625 S. Mobile Ave., Chicago, IL 60638

On Thursday, June 11, 2026
at 8359 S. Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL 60652

On Saturday, June 13, 2026
at 727 E. 111th St., Chicago, IL 60628

On Saturday, June 13, 2026
at 1024 W. 119th St., Chicago, IL 60643

On Thursday, June 25, 2026
at 5046 S. State St., Chicago, IL 60609

On Saturday, July 11, 2026
at 1438 W. 63rd St., Chicago, IL 60636

On Saturday, July 18, 2026
at 3045 Sandra Ave., Melrose Park, IL 60164

On Thursday, July 23, 2026
at 837 W. 119th St., Chicago, IL 60643

On Thursday, August 6, 2026
at 519 E. 103rd St., Chicago, IL 60628

On Saturday, August 8, 2026
at 700 McHenry Road, Wheeling, IL 60090

On Saturday, August 15, 2026
at 3918 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago, IL 60647

On Saturday, August 15, 2026
at 2700 Kalvelage Dr., Sauk Village, IL 60411

On Saturday, August 15, 2026
at 9801 S. Ave. G, Chicago, IL 60617

On Thursday, September 10, 2026
at 4650 N. Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL 60630

On Saturday, September 12, 2026
at 1 Illinois Blvd., Hoffman Estates, IL 60169

On Saturday, September 12, 2026
at 4900 Village Commons, Matteson, IL 60443

On Saturday, September 12, 2026
at 5555 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60639

On Saturday, September 12, 2026
at 11530 S. Prairie Ave., Chicago, IL 60628

On Thursday, September 17, 2026
at 837 W. 119th St., Chicago, IL 60643

On Thursday, September 24, 2026
at 1824 S. Wood St., Chicago, IL 60608

On Saturday, September 26, 2026
at 425 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights, IL 60411

On Saturday, October 3, 2026
at 607 E. Oakwood Blvd., Chicago, IL 60653

On Saturday, October 10, 2026
at 1438 W. 63rd St., Chicago, IL 60636

On Saturday, October 10, 2026
at 3918 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago, IL 60647

The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control is hosting a Partners in Prevention clinic with free Rabies, Distemper and Leptospirosis vaccines and microchips this Saturday from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Breakthrough FamilyPlex! Clinics run through mid-October. Check out all the clinic locations and details here: http://cookgov.me/petclinics.

2025 was the greatest lifesaving year in Chicago Animal Care and Control history, and it happened because of this community.
13,816 animals went home through adoption, transfer, or return to owner. More than any year on record. Transfers hit their highest point in more than a decade. Adoptions directly from CACC broke previous records.

Behind those numbers: 1,197 Chicagoans were met at the door of CACC before surrendering their pets. Families facing eviction, unaffordable vet bills, and housing instability were connected to real options and real resources. 21,327 spay/neuter surgeries were performed. 3,831 community cats were spayed or neutered through Trap-Neuter-Return. 1,597 pets were vaccinated for free.

This is what the 360@CACC partnership between PAWS Chicago and Chicago Animal Care and Control makes possible. None of it happens without the neighbors, colony caretakers, volunteers, and families who show up for animals in their communities every single day.

Read the full 2025 Annual Report in the photos below.

El 2025 fue el año con mayor cantidad de vidas salvadas en la historia de Chicago Animal Care and Control, y eso sucedió gracias a esta comunidad.

13,816 animales encontraron un hogar mediante adopción, transferencia o reunión con sus dueños. Más que cualquier otro año en la historia. Las transferencias alcanzaron su punto más alto en más de una década. Las adopciones directamente desde CACC rompieron todos los récords anteriores.

Detrás de esos números: 1,197 personas de Chicago fueron atendidas en la entrada de CACC antes de tener que entregar a sus mascotas. Familias enfrentando desalojo, facturas veterinarias impagables e inestabilidad habitacional recibieron opciones reales y recursos reales. Se realizaron 21,327 cirugías de esterilización. 3,831 gatos comunitarios fueron esterilizados a través del programa Trap-Neuter-Return. 1,597 mascotas fueron vacunadas gratis.

Esto es lo que hace posible la alianza 360@CACC entre PAWS Chicago y Chicago Animal Care and Control. Nada de esto sucede sin los vecinos, cuidadores de colonias, voluntarios y familias que se presentan por los animales en sus comunidades todos los días.
Lee el Informe Anual 2025 completo en las fotos.