pet adoption

Fostering pets can be a great way to help an animal in need while bringing joy into your life. NBCLX producer Sara Sanchez, who has cared for about 40 animals, joined LX News to discuss how fostering has improved her anxiety and her life overall.

Best Friends Animal Society hopes to bring people together around the world with a special benefit concert on July 22 called “Songs to Save Them All: A Benefit for Homeless Pets.” The event will livestream on Tiltify, Twitch, YouTube and Facebook as well as bestfriends.org/concert. The Best Friends Animal Society is a national animal welfare organization raising awareness to...

The anti-cruelty society, Chicago pet adoption center, thought of a creative way to raise money — pet portraits. The city shelter has already raised over $10,000 to helping Chicago animals find homes as situations have been more difficult since the coronavirus outbreak. “With the way things are right now, we had to think of a new fundraiser that was positive…

About 11 percent of cats end up back in shelters because of allergies, according to the ASPCA. With 3.4 million cats in shelters across the country each year, that’s about 374,000 felines surrendered because of allergies. And that number doesn’t include cats dumped out on the street each day. There may be a lot of confusion, and misinformation, about what...

While there are many reasons why it might not work out with your shelter pet, shelters are always happy to take them back. And problems that seem insurmountable at first can be cleared up with a couple of tips from a shelter worker. “No doubt they’ve heard it before,” one animal behaviorist says.

For centuries, humans have taken animal companions into their homes. But the utility of the animals goes beyond simple companionship. The evidence is increasingly clear that having a pet can lead to a longer, healthier life. Here are some of the ways a pet can help your health.

Senior pets are adopted at lower rates than younger animals — but for many adopters, a senior pet may fit their lifestyle better.

You’re certainly not alone if you think that two pets are better than one, but bringing home a new pet doesn’t always go smoothly when there’s another animal already in the house. Introducing your new pet to resident pets that have already been in your life can be a tricky process, one that’s going to require some patience, according to...

Sharing a home with a four-legged friend can be one of life’s greatest joys. But while pet ownership is rewarding, it’s also a big decision. Dogs require lots of time, money and responsibility — 10 to 15 years’ worth, in many cases. Dr. Pia Salk, author and spokeswoman for the non-profit pet adoption website AdoptaPet.com, warns against taking home a...

A puppy stolen from a Chicago shelter’s adoption event in October has been found, the shelter announced Friday. The puppy was found Thursday “on the streets” and was taken to Chicago Animal Care and Control, which discovered its microchip listing the Anti-Cruelty Society as its owner.  “We are thrilled,” said Jennifer GoodSmith, vice president of mission advancement with the...

Someone stole a puppy from a pet adoption event in the South Loop, and the Anti-Cruelty Society is getting the word out in hopes that someone will find her. NBC 5’s Sabrina Santucci reports. 

In honor of “Clear the Shelters” coming up on Aug. 17, we asked our NBC Chicago Facebook audience, “Why did you decide to adopt your pet?” Their responses were filled with stories of love, companionship and lifelong friendship. Read them below.

Photographer Josh Feeney initially wanted to volunteer to walk dogs at Chicago’s Animal Care and Control, but quickly discovered he could offer something even better for the adorable animals looking for their fur-ever homes. Now, he shows off the dogs’ real personalities in incredible photos in hopes of finding them a family.

Patti Glover had a dream about adopting Honey. On Clear the Shelters, Glover returned to the Burbank Animal Shelter and took her home.

In anticipation of “Clear the Shelters” on August 15, Natalie Morales talks about Zara, the adopted shelter dog who has brought so much joy to the “Today” co-host’s family.

Hannah the tutu-wearing pit bull, George the pot-bellied pig and a kitten named Chase were among the nearly 20,000 animals who got new homes last Saturday as part of the Clear the Shelters adoption drive. Stories from the day will be front and center this Saturday, when “Today” co-host Natalie Morales hosts a 30-minute post-adoption drive special that will recap...

Less than a week after Chicago’s Animal Care and Control said it may be forced to euthanize animals as the shelter filled to capacity during this month’s brutally cold temperatures, the agency said adoptions have more than doubled as it offers new incentives for potential pet owners – but the struggle is far from over.

Chicago Animal Care and Control is asking for the public’s help as the facility has reached capacity during a bitter blast that has pets flooding the shelter. Officials also have tips for petowners to keep their animals safe during the brutal cold.