Annoucing 360@CACC, a public/private partnership serving Chicago's homeless and at-risk dog and cat population.
PAWS Chicago and Chicago Animal Care & Control (CACC) have joined forces to develop a comprehensive public-private program to offer a safety net and lifesaving resources to Chicago’s homeless and at-risk cats and dogs.
Together, CACC and PAWS Chicago are working to not only address the short-term surge in homeless pets that is impacting Chicago and sweeping the nation, but also to forge a new model in how communities can support, care for, and offer life to homeless and at-risk cats and dogs.
These new programs will offer 360-degree support for animals at every stage in their shelter journeys.
Initial programs include:
Keeping pets in their homes with people who love them
Through our Pet Owner Support program on site at CACC, the 360@CACC team offers medical services such as spay/neuter, vaccinations and treatment for acute illness or injury to help pets stay in their homes with their families. We have found that around 15% of people are able to keep their pets when they have support.
Keeping pets out of the city impoundment facility
When pets are homeless, keeping them from overcrowded facilities like CACC is the best way to ensure their safety. Without isolation suites to prevent disease transmission, the most vulnerable pets end up sick and more likely to be euthanized. By taking pets directly, we keep more animals from an already overcrowded CACC and ensure their safety.
Rescuing Parvo-Positive Puppies from CACC
PAWS Chicago has committed to transferring and treating parvovirus positive puppies as the PAWS Medical Center capacity permits. The PAWS Chicago Nan & Wayne Kocourek Medical Center has the isolation suites to contain the virus, and is one of the few homeless pet hospitals able to treat parvo with the groundbreaking new Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody (CPMA), giving them the best chance to survive the often fatal disease.
Developing Robust Adoption & Volunteer Programs at CACC
Without budgeted positions for adoptions or volunteer management, CACC is reliant on the support of volunteers for these programs. PAWS Chicago is now providing a PAWS staff member to organize and orient the volunteers who support adoptions, ensuring people who come wanting to adopt leave with a pet.
Offering Subsidized Veterinary Services to Qualifying Rescues
Limited medical staffing at CACC means homeless pets are waiting for spay/neuter and not immediately ready for adoption, since the surgery is required before going home.
PAWS provides weekly transportation, spay/neuter and vetting (microchip, heartworm test and vaccines) for CACC large-breed dogs who are most at-risk. Following vetting, these animals are adoption-ready and much more likely to be adopted or transferred to other rescue groups. In 2023, PAWS provided spay/neuter surgery and vetting for 147 of CACC’s large dogs, making them more likely to find families. Learn more about the Rescue Ready Program.
About CACC
As the city’s impoundment facility, Chicago Animal Care & Control’s mission is uniquely responsible for protecting public safety and ensuring the humane care of animals through sheltering, pet placement, education and animal law enforcement.
About PAWS Chicago
As the largest comprehensive No Kill humane organization in the Midwest, and one of the largest in the nation, PAWS Chicago’s founding mission is to build a No Kill Chicago; to end the overpopulation of homeless animals through prevention programs like spay/neuter; and to transform animal welfare by setting higher standards in the way animals are treated and developing a sustainable, solutions-based model.
