News

As we reflect on the accomplishments and challenges of the past fiscal year, we are honored to share with you the profound impact that your support has had on Chicago’s oldest, largest, and most comprehensive animal shelter and the countless pets, people, and communities Anti-Cruelty supports.

After five years of organizational growth and a successful celebration of our 125th anniversary, Tracy Elliott has resigned from Anti-Cruelty to establish a consulting firm. We appreciate Tracy’s contributions during his time as President and CEO and wish him all the best.

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…

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.

Heartworm is a serious and potentially fatal disease that is transmitted from animal to animal by mosquitoes. To protect your dogs, they should get a monthly dose of a heartworm prevention pill. This is prescribed by your veterinarian and often comes in tasty flavors to help make it more appealing to your dog.

Rabbits are incredibly intelligent, loving, and social creatures. With an average life span of 7-10 years, these affectionate pets are great for people from all walks of life. Did you know? Rabbits are VERY social animals. In terms of time commitment,…

Chicago winter is upon us which means less time outside with our furry friends and more time spent snuggling indoors. At the same time, keeping your pets active is so important. Here are some helpful tips to help keep your pet active during the winter.

Sally J. Foote, DVM CABC-IAABC presents The Essentials of Low Stress Handling. This workshop will include live demonstrations of low stress techniques for cats and dogs, emergency care low stress handling, and behavior intervention plans for general practice. 

Sidewalk Dog’s How to Be a Good Dog About Town.  If pupper’s gonna be your big-city adventure bud, he’s gotta be safe, pawlite, and comfortable all over town, whether you’re sippin’ puppuccinos, enjoying a little re-tail therapy, or gettin’ your fetch on at the dog park. 

Caring for a very young, orphaned kitten is so important but it is a lot of work. Humans must step into the role the mother cat would normally play: feeding them every few hours, cleaning them up, and teaching them…

Learning pet first aid can help in many emergency situations related to your cat or dog. Since animals cannot verbally tell us when something is wrong, reading their body language in an emergency is vitally important. Here are some of the…

Depending on your cat’s needs, there are several feline enrichment activities that could benefit them. Adult cats benefit greatly from 30 minutes of play time per day. Kittens need a bit more activity, about 45-60 minutes per day. Just like…

Dogs and cats have their own ways of telling us what’s going on. Here are some common behaviors from our furry friends that will help us better understand their needs. Dogs: YAWNING. We may think it’s cute and that they’re telling…

Adopt your new best friend during the PetSmart Charities National Adoption Weekend February 22-24! Visit the Everyday Adoption Center in the South Loop PetSmart at 1101 S. Canal St. or one of the other Chicago area PetSmart stores where animals…

The 2018 Annual Report is a celebration of Anti-Cruelty's compassion in action. It is a review of our 2018 accomplishments as well as a look back at the success of our last 10 years.  This year saw the implementation of…

Read about the new laws that took effect in 2019. Here is the complete list:  Police-Service Dog Protection Act. This requires a vehicle transporting a police dog to be equipped with a heat sensor that remotely alerts law enforcement if the vehicle reaches 85 degrees and a safety mechanism to lower the interior temperature.

Pajama Parties is a new initiative that will be implemented in 2019 where trained volunteers will bring an adoptable dog home for a one night sleepover. Pajama Parties will help dogs take a break from the shelter life.  Volunteers will offer their overnight guests a chance to curl up on a couch, go for a long walk in the neighborhood, hang out with humans, and maybe even get an extra treat or two.

Thank you Dr. Robyn.

Here are some tips to help keep your pet safe with holiday hazards around the house.  Securely anchor your Christmas tree. The tree is very enticing to a pet 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.

Here are tips to help keep your pet safe from the cold weather during the winter. Keep your pet indoors as much as possible. Housetrained dogs will need to go outside to relieve themselves, but be sure to limit their…

Monday, NOV. 26 and FRIDAY, NOV. 30 Join us on Monday, November 26 and Friday, November 30 from noon to 1:30 p.m. for a Puppy Palooza! For a $5 donation, spend 15 minutes during your lunch break playing and snuggling puppies! Pre-registration is…

As pets age, they become more susceptible to a variety health issues. Health problems that can affect older pets include arthritis, cancer, heart disease, kidney/urinary tract disease, liver disease, diabetes, joint or bone disease, senility, and weakness. However, with proper…

Individuals from the TQPM Small Kennel Quilts group have sent in hundreds of kennel quilts to help keep our cats comfortable during their stay with us. These quilts will be used throughout the shelter as well as in other housing…

Adopting is a big decision, and an important one. When a family adopts a new pet, they not only help a homeless animal, but make room in shelters for another pet in need. Adopt a Shelter Dog month is about…

Maui went home with his foster dad, Jeff back in May and to help promote this great dog, Jeff created a Facebook page for him called Maui About Town. He posted updates regularly about the adventures Maui would take and…

This Dog Wellness Fair will be held in Englewood thanks to our hosts at the Animal Welfare League Intake Facility. The Fair is funded through the generosity of the Caerus Foundation and offers pet owners who are unable to pay…

Here are some tips to help you and your pet beat the heat this summer! Be aware of humidity—high humidity makes it difficult for dogs to keep themselves cool, leading to overheating and internal temperatures skyrocket quickly. To cool your…

If your pet has a fear of loud noises, the 4th of July can be a challenging holiday for your pet and your family. Here are some tips to help soothe your pet’s anxiety about fireworks and loud noises. Bringing your…

National Lost Pet Prevention Month began to help educate pet owners on how to help increase the likelihood of a pet being reunited with their family should it get loose. Follow these tips to help increase the number of pets…

As dogs age, their teeth begin to erode and decay. If not addressed, this could cause some major future health issues like kidney or heart disease stem from poor dental hygiene, and these health concerns are seen primarily in senior dogs. Currently,…