News

It is with great pleasure that we share with you our remarkable accomplishments of the past year. Joining your compassionate generosity with the passion and skill of every member of our team, we have saved and enhanced the lives of many, many animals and their families.

News for the friends and supporters of The Anti-Cruelty Society. In this issue; Big Dogs = Big Love, Thelma and Louise: Compassion in Action, and Ways to Get Involved

Explore this issue of The Anti-Cruelty Society Fall 2022 Magazine, which focuses on best care with the belief that animals should be treated humanely, compassionately, and with unconditional love and support because they deserve a full circle of care and a life worth living.

This Annual Report shares some of the stories that show how ingrained our values are in our culture. Read about Snowball, Lynette, and Winston and our commitment to inclusion and passion. You will find stories about our pop-up pet food pantries and wellness fairs that provide access to care in the community.

As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to unfold, The Anti-Cruelty Society remains committed to keeping pets and people together. The Society continues to support pet owners with safety net services and special programs to preserve pets and families and provide vital assistance during this difficult time. 

March is Pet Poison Prevention Month and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) shares the top 10 most commonly reported toxins that are harmful to pets, including over the counter medications, human prescriptions, chocolate, and household products. 

Each year, more than five million pets enter animal shelters in need of loving homes. The Anti-Cruelty Society is proud to partner with PetSmart Charities® to bring adoptable pets to the Everyday Adoption Center in the South Loop PetSmart and four Chicago area partner PetSmart locations in support of National Adoption Week, taking place February 28 – March 6, 2022. Cats, dogs and small animals are available for adoption on a drop-in basis at the Society’s Everyday Adoption Center in the South Loop PetSmart. The Society’s PetSmart partner locations in Andersonville, Evanston, Kingsbury and Wrigleyville feature adoptable…

The Anti-Cruelty Society needs help finding great homes for big dogs. To assist these large canines find great owners, the Society is offering a Big Dogs = Big Love promotion for dogs 40 pounds or larger with a special adoption fee of $40 through February 28.  The Society has experienced a 30% decrease in animal adoptions in the last year, especially for dogs over 40 pounds. Currently there are more than 27 canines that weigh more than 40 pounds waiting for their forever homes, and many have been available for more than 30 days.  Interested adopters can make a VIP appointment or drop in to adopt at the Society’s River…

Exclusive behind the scenes photos and videos When two-month-old Emmylou arrived at Chicago’s oldest animal welfare organization as a spunky four-and-a-half-pound puppy, The Anti-Cruelty Society knew she had the potential to do big things. Within a few weeks, this tiny brown and white pup was selected from thousands of adorable, adoptable puppies from animal shelters across the U.S. to compete in this year’s Puppy Bowl.  On Sunday, February 13 at 1 p.m. CST, Anti-Cruelty Society alum Emmylou gets the opportunity to show off her charming personality and technical skills during Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl. As a member of…

For the first time in its 123-year-old history, The Anti-Cruelty Society and its animals are poised to benefit from the sale of NFTs, non-fungible tokens. Young philanthropist Leo DiCosola has created 15 NFTs of his adopted dog and wants some of the proceeds to help animals in need around the Chicago area.

The Anti-Cruelty Society invites individuals of all ages, including families, community groups and businesses, to help pets and people in the community with a virtual day of service on Monday, January 17 to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. This online event gives animal lovers the opportunity to come together to give back and help positively impact the lives of homeless pets.

Did you make any resolutions for your furry friend at the start of the New Year? Create a plan to provide your pet with a healthier and more active life for 2022 by improving his diet, exercise, and mental stimulation. Always check with your vet before you begin a new diet for your four-legged friend. Learn more!

The Anti-Cruelty Society has launched a new online store offering a multitude of options for apparel, drinkware and accessories, all to support the Society’s animals. More than 30 items including T-shirts, hoodies, coffee mugs, water bottles, canvas bags and baby onesies round out the offerings. The online store can be accessed by visiting anticrueltyshop.org.

If a cat or dog is on your loved one’s wish list this year, adopting is always a great option! Unfortunately, right after the holidays, The Anti-Cruelty Society sees an uptick in animals returned because they were given as an unwanted gift. To help avoid seeing pets come back to the shelter, we ask that if you are considering giving a pet as a gift, do not make it a surprise.

Adoption fees waived at all locations to help provide space    Due to a confluence of situations, The Anti-Cruelty Society is at capacity which is impacting available shelter space, especially for large dogs. This emerging crisis is perhaps the result of consumers being cautious about the economy and rising inflation which has created a notable lack of interest in adopting pets. As Chicago’s oldest and most comprehensive animal welfare organization, The Anti-Cruelty Society is taking action by encouraging more adoptions and placing additional animals in foster care.  “We believe that the current economic uncertainty has…

Pay attention to the food. Most of the hazards for pets related to Thanksgiving involve the delicious food we enjoy as humans. Turkey is often stuffed and basted in fats to crisp the skin and make the meat moist which is…

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and the moratorium on evictions comes to an end, The Anti-Cruelty Society continues to offer a unique safety net of services and special programs to support pet owners, preserve families, and provide assistance during this difficult time.  

Keeping your cat happy and healthy is important for his well-being. Explore tips in The Anti-Cruelty Society's Pet Care Library including health and behavior information to help your favorite feline live a rich and fulfilling life. 

Explore The Anti-Cruelty Society’s Fall 2021 magazine to learn how we are dedicated to finding community and a common purpose. Explore our compassionate commitment to pets and people through the eyes of our staff and volunteers. 

SPECIAL ADOPTION EVENT AT ANTI-CRUELTY SOCIETY ON AUGUST 28-29 The Anti-Cruelty Society will find homes for animals by participating in NBCUniversal’s Clear the Shelters™ 2021 pet adoption event on Saturday, August 28 and Sunday, August 29 at its River North Adoption Center in Chicago. Adopters may “pick a price” they would like to donate instead of the usual adoption fees for animals 5 months and up. Appointments are required and can be booked at anticruelty.org. 

We have more than 40 cats ages 8 and older who are longing for a forever home. These special animals have so much love to give. Learn the benefits of adopting an older feline.   

Staff & Volunteers Create One-of-a-Kind Pet Drawings to Support Anti-Cruelty Society's Animals   Many pet owners consider their four-legged friends important members of the family and take lots of photos to remember happy moments. The Anti-Cruelty Society will again offer its popular Pet Portraits fundraiser as a creative and endearing way to capture the personality and likeness of beloved pets while helping animals in need, now through Sunday, July 18. When people share their pet’s photo and make a donation of $25 or more, a volunteer will create a one-of-a-kind portrait of the furry companion. This artistic…

Rock on!  The Anti-Cruelty Society is partnering with 97.1 FM, The Drive, for a new fundraiser that combines pets and classic rock. The Art of Rock n’ Roll features classic rock album covers that have been recreated as pet parodies. The framed artwork is being auctioned online to raise money for The Anti-Cruelty Society’s animals. Bidding starts June 21 and ends at June 28 at 5 p.m.  The albums’ covers have been creatively modified to focus on pets: Rescued in the U.S.A., Boston Bonesteen; Bruce Springsteen, Born in the U.S.A.  Elton Paw-n Greatest Kits; Elton John, Greatest Hits, 1970-2002 HISS, Furry; KISS, Dynasty…

Fleas and ticks are two of the most common parasites that affect our pets. Prevention is the best defense and easy to dispense to our furry friends. Fleas are wingless insects that feed on blood and can jump up to two feet high. Fleas are most commonly noticed on a dog's abdomen and the base of the tail and head.

As the effects of COVID-19 pandemic continue, another crisis is unfolding. Thousands of people across Chicago are in danger of losing their homes as the moratorium on evictions comes to an end. The Anti-Cruelty Society understands the difficulties facing pet owners who are looking to secure pet-friendly housing. To help pet owners overcome some of the obstacles, the Society created the Pet Deposit Subsidy Program. This unique program offers a one-time financial subsidy to Chicago pet owners who need assistance with paying move-in fees or securing pet-friendly housing. The goal is to keep pet owners and their animal…

Can one word adequately describe a year like 2020? Not likely, but there is one word I would like to use to frame our pandemic-year story: Commitment.   As you read, I hope you will see the passion and care of our staff for our animals and for our mission—a passion I know you share. I hope you will feel the love that is expressed for animals and their human families in the new ways we are helping those families to endure tough times. I hope you will understand how important you are in helping us make and keep these commitments.  You, our volunteers, adopters, donors, and supporters, make it possible for us to translate…

Anti-Cruelty Society Releases New Cookbook for Dogs Staff and volunteers share favorite recipes for tasty dog treats CHICAGO—The Anti-Cruelty Society has launched its first ever Community Cookbook for Dogs. This colorful guide features 21 canine treat recipes contributed by Anti-Cruelty Society staff members and volunteers. Now on sale, it is available in print or e-book at anticruelty.org/cookbook.   The book contains easy-to-follow instructions, color photos of the finished treats and snapshots of the canines whose owners shared the recipes. Each recipe has been recreated in a home kitchen to ensure accuracy and all…

Many of our pet lovers have asked how they can help prevent animal cruelty and protect animals in need during these trying times. We need your help now more than ever before —  here are two, tax-savvy ways to make an immediate impact with a gift from your IRA or Stocks.

Securely anchor your Christmas tree. The tree is very enticing to furry friends and if they are playing near the tree, it could tip or fall over on your pet.  Avoid the tinsel. The shiny material may look like a toy, but swallowing it can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration, and can even require surgery.

The Anti-Cruelty Society relies on the generosity of donations from individual and corporate donors to care for homeless pets. There are a variety of ways to help!