Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago Department of Animal Care and Control (CACC) today announced a new partnership with PAWS Chicago to provide spay and neuter services for some of the shelter animals at CACC.

“Partnerships with organizations like PAWS Chicago are essential for CACC to fulfill its mission of protecting public safety and promoting the humane care of animals," said Mayor Emanuel. “This partnership will enable us to get more animals ready for adoption.”

CACC adopts out more than 1,500 animals a year. All dogs and cats available for adoption at CACC are spayed/neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped prior to adoption.

“PAWS Chicago is pleased to partner with Mayor Emanuel and CACC to promote responsible pet ownership through spay-neuter services,” said Paula Fasseas, Chairman, PAWS Chicago. “We encourage every pet owner to have their animals spayed or neutered to ensure they live long, healthy lives.”

CACC encourages all pet owners to spay or neuter their pets. Through spaying and neutering, pet owners can not only help Chicago control its pet population but also ensure their dog or cat lives a happier, healthier, and longer life. Spaying and neutering can help control behavior, improve an animal’s temperament, and reduce a pet’s risks for some types of cancer. The third Wednesday of every month, CACC offers low cost vaccine and microchip clinics at CACC. Throughout the summer, CACC also offers and provides additional clinics to City wards.

Pet owners should consult a veterinarian to determine the appropriate sterilization ages and methods for their cat or dog. Short-term and long-term health risks for each animal should always be assessed before spaying or neutering a pet.

PAWS Chicago works to build No Kill communities that respect and value the life of every cat and dog; to end the overpopulation of homeless animals through solutions, practices and education and to transform animal welfare by setting higher standards in the way animals are treated and developing a sustainable, solutions-based model. To learn more about PAWS Chicago’s life-saving work, please visit www.pawschicago.org.

CACC the city’s only municipal-run animal shelter, protecting public safety and ensuring the humane care of animals through sheltering, pet placement, low-cost pet medical care, education and animal law enforcement. For more information on all of CACC’s services and programs, visit www.cityofchicago.org/CACC or visit CACC on Facebook at facebook.com/ChicagoAnimalCareandControl.

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