PAWS Chicago Addresses Rabies Case: Health Guidance and Community Safety

PAWS Chicago is a leading no‑kill animal welfare organization that rescues, treats, and places homeless dogs and cats while preventing pet overpopulation through large-scale spay/neuter, community programs, and advocacy. PAWS runs adoption centers, a high-volume medical and spay/neuter clinic, mobile and off‑site adoption events, foster and training programs, and a food pantry to support pet retention in underserved communities.[6][5] Founded in 1997 after founders Paula and Alexis Fasseas were moved by the plight of a rescued dog and rising euthanasia rates, PAWS began with a street‑level adoption event and quickly expanded into storefront adoption space, then a dedicated medical clinic and adoption centers named for Pippen Fasseas and others.[1][4] The organization deliberately used data to target neighborhoods producing the most strays and prioritized prevention—opening a high‑volume spay/neuter clinic in Little Village early in its history.[2][5] Key achievements include driving a greater-than‑90% decline in Chicago’s homeless‑pet euthanasia rates since PAWS’ founding and performing over 300,000 spay/neuter surgeries to date, with more than 80,000 total adoptions since inception and thousands more annually (4,382 adoptions in 2024).[8][6] In recent years PAWS reported performing 17,168 surgeries in 2024 and sustaining a save rate near the high‑90s while operating medical services that care for tens of thousands of animals each year.[6][5] Today PAWS Chicago is notable for combining grassroots advocacy with data‑driven, scalable operational programs—integrating shelter medicine, a robust volunteer and foster network, and education to replicate “No‑Kill” strategies via its No Kill Academy.[6][9] Charity Navigator has consistently awarded PAWS top ratings, reflecting strong governance and impact.[6]