As the economy took a hard hit in the last four consecutive years, animal shelters throughout the United States have found themselves to be filled to capacity as a result of people losing their jobs thus making them unable to care for their beloved pets. In a large city such as the windy city there are different types of animal shelters located throughout the entire city and suburbs of Chicago. Some of these animal shelters specialize in providing housing for cats, dogs or both in addition to other kinds of animals. Generally speaking, there are four main categories of animal shelters in Chicago, including animal rescue organizations, animal sanctuaries, no-kill shelters and open door shelters.
Animal rescue organizations are usually non-profit and may or may not receive government funding if not a minimal amount which is why these rescue organizations mainly rely on the faithful donations of animal lovers to keep in operation. To name a few, a couple of these kind hearted rescue organizations in Chicago include the Chicago Canine Rescue Foundation, and the Chicago Cat Rescue organization. Animal sanctuaries take in animals at all stages of life and will take care of them for the remainder of their natural lives. More often than not, animal sanctuaries generally care for animals that no other animal shelter will take on long term, such as feral cats, wild animals, animals with medical problems and or serious behavioral problems.
Open door animal shelters such as the Anti-Cruelty Society will take in any animal that is brought to them regardless of whether or not the person surrendering the animal is able to give a donation. Depending specifically on the open door shelter's policy some of these shelters may or may not have strict guidelines for euthanasia. No-kill animal shelters such as Paws Chicago will not euthanize any animal unless the animal is suffering. Some of the animals in no-kill shelters will live at these shelters their entire lives unless they are adopted which is the goal for all animal shelters regardless of whether or not they are an open door or no-kill shelter. Animal shelters everywhere need people to make a difference in an animal's life so before going to a pet store to buy a pet, please consider stopping by your local animal shelter to find your new pet companion.
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