Community Corner
Dozens of Oklahoma Pups Find Homes; Cats Still Waiting at PAWS Chicago
Although more than half of the dogs rescued from Oklahoma last week have so far been adopted, none of the cats have found homes. Read on to learn more about the Chicago shelter's rescue efforts.
By Carrie Frillman
Dozens of animals from Oklahoma are taking refuge in Chicago after an overnight rescue last week landed them at the PAWS Chicago Adoption Center and while some of the dogs have been claimed, the shelter is still awaiting the adoption of its first Oklahoma cat.
Staff and volunteers from the shelter saved 76 animals, total—51 dogs and 25 cats—from the Oklahoma Animal Care and Control. Of those, 29 dogs had already found homes as Monday. None of the cats had been given homes, PAWS spokeswoman Sarah Ahlberg said.
"Each pet that (came) to Chicago was a part of the shelter's pre-existing population of homeless pets," says a PAWS Chicago update on the rescue mission. "By transferring these pets ... we are enabling the shelter to take in and care for the more than 150 animals who have been displaced as a result of the recent tornado and will give them a chance to be reclaimed by their owners."
The volunteer rescue caravan loaded the pets into their transport vehicles on Saturday for the trip back to Chicago. They were taken to PAWS Chicago’s Rescue & Recovery Center where they were given complete medical care, vaccinations, microchips and spay/neuter surgeries.
A few of the animals needed additional time in foster before they will be ready for adoption. All in all, 68 pets—29 of which were the dogs from Oklahoma—were adopted from PAWS on Monday, Ahlberg said, applauding the "pet-loving" city of Chicago. She said eager families formed a line outside the adoption center.
If you're interested in learning more about the pets who were rescued, check the dog and cat pages to learn who's available.
"We hope to find a home for our first Oklahoma kitty soon," the post says. " ... Thank you for everyone's overwhelming support with this rescue effort."
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