Safe Humane Chicago

ComEd volunteers truly do just about everything a volunteer can do during their visits to Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC) with Safe Humane Chicago—and they do it with much joy, as you can see in these photos.

On Friday, they spread straw, set up sunshades, built Kuranda beds, prepared and distributed in-kennel enrichment in the pavilions, and even spent time playing with a few dogs, among many other tasks. Volunteer Kerri shared, “Every time I work with Josey’s ComEd group, I am exhausted afterwards--in the best way. I got 10k+ steps with them in those three hours. They’re amazing.” Their impact is immediate. Volunteer Lisa mentioned that while walking dogs that evening, “the straw on the ground is absolutely amazing.”

And they don't just do it once. ComEd dedicates time and resources to serve at CACC every single month. Grateful doesn't even begin to cover it. Thank you, ComEd!

Thank you Live Like Roo Foundation & Bosly's Backyard for celebrating and supporting Baby Grand our 1,000 court case dog 🧡

We are honored to partner with Embarc Chicago to help provide impactful experiential learning for Chicago students. Over the past year, we have had the pleasure of working with several schools as they visit Chicago Animal Care and Control. The students engage with sheltered animals, providing care and enrichment while gaining first-hand insight into the operations of their public shelter and learning more about the needs of communities and the animals within.

Thank you, Embarc, for connecting us with Chicago Tech Academy High School, Tilden High School, Chicago Academy High School, Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy, Michele Clark Academic Prep Magnet High School and James H. Bowen High School.

We look forward to our continued partnership.

We are so fortunate to work with such a wonderful network of corporate and community partners who choose to devote their valuable time and resources to a day of service at Chicago Animal Care and Control.

We are so grateful to Revantage, who joined us last week and provided much-appreciated attention, care and enrichment to the dogs of CACC. Thank you, Revantage...we can't wait to see you again!

Featuring:
Happy-go-lucky, playful Draven hamming it up with the group (inexplicably, CACC's longest stay dog)

And Patchwork, working the whole circle of new friends
Patchwork needs a rescue due to likely ortho/medical needs.

From unimaginable cruelty to a life filled with love:
Rocky was just 6 months old when he was found malnourished, severely abused, with broken hips, broken legs, and untreated past injuries. Named for the location where he was discovered by a neighborhood dog and owner in a Chicago park, his future looked uncertain.

But today Rocky is thriving. Thanks to exceptional after-care from foster parents who also adopted him, he has been recovering and is now living the life every dog deserves—safe, healthy (though understandably he walks stiffly, says his mom), and deeply loved.

Justice, however, is still in progress.
The felony cruelty case against Rocky’s abuser is still ongoing in Cook County Criminal Court, and Safe Humane Court Advocates are following it. At a December hearing, one of our longtime advocates met Rocky’s adopter in court. This encounter captures why this work matters so much.

“It was so good to see an owner come to court seeking justice for their dog. And to know that a dog who was emaciated, with broken hips and legs, is now doing so well in a loving home.”

They’ll meet again at the next hearing this month. Stories like Rocky’s are not uncommon in the 25 years Safe Humane has provided court advocacy for abused and traumatized animals (including our Court Case Dogs), but each one is profoundly meaningful.

Court Advocacy is impactful because of dedicated volunteers and professionals. But these cases still need funds for sponsorships, training, vet care, supplies, and even court costs (including necropsies when necessary).

You can help ensure that justice and healing continue by donating here: https://www.safehumanechicago.org/donate Every contribution supports animals like Rocky and the people who stand up for them when they cannot do so themselves.
To learn more about Safe Humane Court Advocacy, email [email protected].