This January the Chicago Tribune reported that Chicago Animal Care and Control reached their 300 dog capacity. Whether you are a doting pet parent or just a regular fan of any and all Chicagoland dogs, seeing a report like that can really tug at the heartstrings. The efforts of no-kill shelters and spay + neuter programs have gone a long way to cut down on euthanization in this city, however, we still have much further to go. Are you looking for a way to help support these efforts, but not sure where to start? We’re happy to lend a paw with a few ideas!

Donate supplies to a shelter or pet pantry

Fresh supplies are always in demand. Don’t have a way to transport supplies or time to stop by a location? Thank goodness for Amazon wish lists! Here are a few drives currently underway:

• Rover-Time’s Supply Drive for CACC
  We’ll be taking supplies until Friday, 3/2. It’s not too late to send a donation!
• Animal Welfare League
  Can’t make the Rover-Time’s supply drive in time? That’s okay! The Animal Welfare League is in desperate need of canned food for their shelters. Check out their Amazon Wish List here.
• Friendship Pet Pantry
  Friendship Pet Pantry located just down the street from the Lincoln Square and Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce. This program offers pet parents in need with food and litter supplies every third Saturday of the month. Drop offs are available at numerous times and places. Volunteers are always welcomed, too!

Become a shelter volunteer
From assisting with walks to planning fundraising events, there are so many ways to get involved with Chicago area shelters. Here’s a small list of shelters accepting volunteers. (FYI all of the shelters below will also happily accept supply and monetary donations. Be sure to check out their donation pages to see what they need!)

• PAWS Chicago
• ALIVE Rescue
• One Tail at a Time
• Famous Fido
• Anti Cruelty Society
• Chicago Canine Rescue
• Red Door Shelter
• Animal Welfare League
• Tree House Humane Society
• Felines and Canines
• Chicagoland Rescue Intervention & Support Program
• Chicago Area Care and Control
  

Recent One Tail at Time foster failure, Gretchen receiving belly rubs and noggin scratches from R-T’s Operations Director, Becky and Team Manager, Katie.

Become a foster parent
Foster programs are typically the backbone of adoption centers. Having a sturdy network of caring foster homes allows shelters the chance to transition as many dogs as possible into their forever homes. If you’ve ever considered fostering but not sure how to get involved, we recommend checking out this blog feature from One Tail at Time’s Shelter Director, Anna Friedman.

Join a fundraising team for a race or endurance challenge
Are you a runner? Jogger? Or a causal walker? Put your paws to the pavement this summer with Rover-Time! We’re planning to put together a 5K team this June. Shoot us an email if you’re interested in joining! We can’t wait to raise money for a great cause and move our muscles. Here are a few other other opportunities to fit in a little exercise with some fundraising:

Raise money for a shelter while training for your choice of race:
Team One Tail
Team PAWS
Alive and Running

Sign up for a dog specific fundraising race:
Dash For The Dogs
Run 4 Paws

Attend a fundraising event
Why not enjoy a classy night out on the town that also benefits a local shelter? Our friends at Eventbrite have put together this awesome list of upcoming fundraising events along with their other long list of things to do in Chicago. Be sure to grab a ticket! Here are few events we’re especially excited about:

• ALIVE Rescue – 7th Annual Grrrrrl’s Night Out – February 8
• Felines and Canines – For Paws Club Valentine’s Pawty – February 10
• ALIVE Rescue – TILT and Tails – February 11
• Friendship Pet Food Pantry – For the Love of Pets at Begyle – February 16
• Famous Fido – Chili Cook Off – February 18
• Revolution Beer Tasting with Red Door – February 18
• PAWS Chicago – Animal Magnetism – March 16

As you can see, there’s no small shortage of ways to plug into Chicago’s pet parent community. Dog and Cat lovers UNITE for good!

This article was a collaborative, team effort. Special thank you to Operations Director, Becky Trombley and our veteran dog walkers, Aaron Taub and Zoë Sjogerman for their time and effort creating this fantastic resource!