LITTLE VILLAGE — PAWS Chicago Medical Center has taken in nearly three dozen dogs from a Texas shelter that was damaged during a tornado late last month.
Thirty-three puppies and dogs arrived late Monday night at the Little Village-based veterinary clinic at 3516 W. 26th St. The pooches are six weeks to about 3 years old, are a mix of breeds and have ranging medical conditions, PAWS staff said.
PAWS has gained a reputation as a haven for dogs and cats with no place else to go. The clinic has helped multiple shelters across the country after natural disasters and also partners with shelters in 13 high-kill states, Chief Operating Officer Kristina Rosinia said.
“What we find is that when we bring them up here, Chicago really pitches in to help, so we have an increase of people wanting to take these animals in for foster care and adopt,” she said. “We’re able to help even more animals by helping the ones who need us the most.”
The 33 dogs came from a Pasadena, Texas, shelter PAWS connected with during Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Rosinia said. A Texas ABC affiliate reported Jan. 25 the shelter was without power, water and phones following a tornado, and its roof was badly damaged.
Prior to the dogs’ arrival, Emily Yacker, PAWS’ Medical Center medical director, said all the pups would receive a complete health evaluation and vaccines. Some of them are already known to have heartworm disease and need to be monitored, Yacker said.
Any arriving dog not already spayed or neutered will get the surgery at PAWS in the near future, Yacker said. After that, healthy dogs and puppies will be sent to PAWS’ Adoption Center in Lincoln Park.
Some of the dogs could be ready for forever homes at early as this week, Yacker said.
Rosinia said there are several ways people can help these dogs besides adopting: People can donate; volunteer their time at a shelter or in other ways, like delivering donations; or foster pets for as little time as a week.
“Whatever time people have, whatever capacity they have will help the animals and help PAWS, because we are a volunteer-driven organization,” Rosinia said.
More information about helping PAWS is online.
The PAWS Medical Center opened in Little Village in 2021 with a mission to provide free and low-cost veterinary services to families in need.
Photos of the rescued dogs:
