Youth Who Care

Youth Who Care is an animal advocacy and volunteer program for youth ages 10–12 years old. During this program participants will learn about a variety of topics including animal behavior, training, care and other animal welfare issues. Tweens will also have the opportunity to learn about shelter…

Youth, Family and Classroom Experiences

Welcome to our hub for learning and experiences at Anti-Cruelty! Whether you’re a parent looking for a way to engage with your family, a student looking to earn service hours, a teacher looking to book a field trip, or anything in between, we are thrilled to connect you to a variety of programs and…

Youth and Family Programs

Are you a parent, kid, tween, or teen looking for ways to join our volunteer and learning community? Check out the unforgettable opportunities we offer below! We have opportunities for families to enjoy together, as well as for individual youth. If you have any questions after reading through our…

Your Talkative Cat

It’s a fact of life – cats meow. It is one of the ways they communicate their needs to us. If you believe that your cat’s meowing is excessive, you need to understand why your cat is vocalizing in order to change his behavior. Overnight Meowing Cats, especially young ones, are naturally most…

In Your Home

Making a Difference from Home We know you really want to help but sometimes you are not able to come to one of our facilities or go out into the community. There are still opportunities for you to volunteer to help Anti-Cruelty.    Pet Patrol  If you’re a volunteer looking to help animals in…

Your Fearful Cat

We cannot simply tell our cat to not be afraid of something. Rather, we must communicate it through our actions and our energy. With time, patience, and proper training, you can help your shy and fearful cat develop into a confident and friendly feline.  Health Check Before anything else, it is…

Young Associates Group

Leading the Next Generation of Animal Welfare Supporters.  Anti-Cruelty is establishing a Young Associate group of dynamic young professionals who are passionate about supporting tens of thousands of animals in need. Through fundraising, planning events, networking, programming, volunteer…

Year End Matching Challenge

Make your gift today! There are so many cats and dogs in our community who need your help this holiday season. DOUBLE your impact by helping animals get access to: Food and shelter Medical care Loving adoptive families And more! Your gift today will be matched dollar for dollar to make…

Working Through Pet Loss

It is normal to feel grief and mourn the loss of your beloved pet. To most pet owners, the pet is considered a member of the family. There are several stages of grief (denial, anger or guilt, bargaining, depression, and acceptance), but not everyone experiences all of them or in the same order.…

Women of Anti-Cruelty

Meet the women who have played a vital role in the history of Anti-Cruelty.

Wish List

Wishes Can Happen! Make a wish come true for a dog or cat at Anti-Cruelty by sending us items on our wish list. Items we always need include: Blankets and Towels (gently used is fine) Dog and cat toys, treats, and food † No-Pull Dog Harnesses Cat Carriers Leashes and Collars Dog beds…

What is a Guinea Pig?

WHAT IS A GUINEA PIG? Guinea pigs are small rodents that originated in South America, where they are commonly known as a cavy.  There are three main breeds: English or common (short, straight, and fine hair) Abyssinian (rough, wiry hair in rosettes or whorls), and Peruvian (long, straight, and…

What Dog Owners Should Know About the FDA Alert

Our friends at VCA Hospitals recently shared an article by Melanie Hoffman, DVM, about the FDA Alert on grain-free dog food diets that should be noted by all dog owners. 

What We Do

What We Do From pet adoptions to low cost spay and neuter services to humane education, cruelty investigations and rescue, Anti-Cruelty works to raise awareness about the needs of animals. We provide rehabilitation and treatment as well as classes and programs from pet loss to pet first aid, not…

Wellness Fair - Canine Therapy Corps (CATS ONLY)

Anti-Cruelty’s Wellness Fairs provide free canine veterinary services throughout Chicago thanks to the generous support of the Caerus and PetSmart Charities foundations.

Wellness Care

Wellness Care Continuing our efforts to increase access to veterinary care in the Chicagoland area, Anti Cruelty’s Care Clinic offers primary care and routine surgical services for patients in the region. We are an appointment only clinic, walk-in appointments will be referred to an appropriate…

Ways to Give

Giving to Anti-Cruelty Since 1899, Anti-Cruelty has remained committed to our mission of building a community of caring by helping pets and educating people. This work is made possible through the generosity of our many donors. If you are interested in joining our community of caring, there are…

Warmer Weather Brings Surge In Cat Population

Chicago’s mild winter is having an impact on local cats. Animal experts tell CBS 2 when the weather is warmer, more cats who aren’t spayed go into heat. That means a surge in the pet population.  

Volunteer Stories

Meet Perri Smith Perri jumped into volunteering 10 years ago when she found herself between jobs and watching too much Animal Planet. She decided she should get out of the house and do something with herself instead of sitting around being gloomy - so she started volunteering!  “Cat Adopts was my…

Volunteer Resources

Resources for Volunteers As an Anti-Cruelty volunteer you are in a unique position to make a real difference in both the life of a pet and the family who will one day bring them home. We want your volunteer experience to be a rewarding one and have created a number of resources to help you plan…

Volunteer FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions Whether you’re looking to help hands-on, off-site or with special projects, you may have questions about what volunteering with us is all about. Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions…

Volunteer Activities

Welcome to the Onsite Volunteer Training Catalog Upper-tier programming and Special Projects available exclusively to trained, Level 1 Onsite Anti-Cruelty Volunteers. View the different ways Level 1 Volunteers can help at Anti-Cruelty.  If you are not an approved Anti-Cruelty Volunteer learn how…

Volunteer

Put Your Compassion to Action  Anti-Cruelty's mission is to build a healthy and happy community where pets and people thrive together. We have provided shelter and care for thousands of animals since our founding in 1899. Volunteers make our continued success possible by helping throughout our…

Volunteer

Virtual Trivia Night

Grab your friends and join us for a night online with trivia, fun, and prizes. BYOP&B (Bring your own pet & beverage)!