Lee McKinnis (57)
Kristina Marynczak (37)
Killian Noonan (36)
Melissa Castillo (32)
NikoVelazquez (27)
Shannon Ratzel (23)
Michelle Reyes (22)
Kyle Barczak (21)
Maura Bilek (21)
Susan Bayaa (21)
PAWS Chicago, the city’s largest No-Kill animal shelter
Big or little all animals deserve to be treated right. Every day millions of animals suffer by acts done by people every day. They are left to endure pain and suffer. We need to take action against abuse of innocent animals. Animals have no voice, but we can give them one.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, “Acts of violence or neglect perpetrated against animals are considered animal cruelty,”. (ASPCA). Some examples are overt abuse, dog fighting and cockfighting.(ASPCA) Neglect is not giving an animal the adequate food, water, shelter, or vet care.(Humane Society) Animals who die of neglect suffer as much as animals that are harmed on purpose.(Humane Society).Weather its intention abuse or not, it’s still a crime. Some abuse starts because of the lack of education on the proper care of a certain animal.(HumanSociety) People with emotional problems may beat, shoot, or stab animals or set them on fire.(HumanSociety).
Animal cruelty is happening anywhere and everywhere around the world. Human inflict harm and mistreat animals for many various reasons. Some cause suffering intentionally because they enjoy it. (AnimalCruletyFacts)Others abuse animals because our their carelessness often without even realizing it/ (AnimalCrueltyFacts) The number of people and organizations researching and gathering information about animal cruelty is continuing to grow rapidly. Without facts, comparisons and specific detail, there is no case to answer; we will continue to be blind to the horrors that take place. Many activists, organizations, authors, scientists, lawyers and even politicians have joined forces; generously dedicating time, money and even their life to help the fight against animal cruelty. Thanks to the accumulation of research and continuing education, people are becoming more aware of animal sentiment and how they suffer.
There is a strong link between animal cruelty and domestic violence. The connection between violence against animals and violence against humans went unrecognized. Now, there is a growing number of researches that has proven that people who abuse animals rarely stop there. (PAWS). If you think about it, it’s true. If person abuses animals what would make you think they wouldn’t hurt a human also. Research in psychology and criminology shows that people who commit acts of cruelty to animals don’t stop there—many of them move on to their fellow humans. “Murderers … very often start out by killing and torturing animals as kids,” says Robert K. Ressler, who developed profiles of serial killers for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. (PETA)Until the past 20 years, the connection between violence against animals and violence against humans went unrecognized. Now a growing body of research has shown that people who abuse animals rarely stop there. (Paws) Increasingly, child protection and social service agencies, mental health professionals, and educators recognize that animal abuse is aggressive and antisocial behavior. It is also a reliable predictor of violence against people after a young abuser grows up.
Abusers targets anything that’s powerless. Crimes against spouses, children, and elderly often go hand in hand. Children who abuse animals may be learning it at home. Often they learn to take out their anger and frustration with violence. Professor Frank R. Ascione of the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work says, “The research is pretty clear that there are connections between animal abuse and domestic violence and child abuse is directed at the only individual in the family who is more vulnerable than they are: an animal.(PETA)
Animal cruelty is being viewed more as a serious issue. It is being recognized not only by professional in law enforcement and metal health, but also the general public. Prosecuting animal abusers can provide many benefits. It gives everyone from becoming a risk to their safety. It can also help people who are victims of family violence. (PETA).
It’s important not only to recognize animal cruelty, but also put an end to it. There are many organizations and people out there who work hard every day to help stop animal cruelty. Anyone can help animal cruelty in their community. If you witness or suspect any form of animal cruelty or abuse you need to report it. It’s important to look out for animals in your community. Not only will you save an animal from suffering, but also you can help any human victims. You can also support your local animal shelter or rescue organization.
One organization you can support is PAWS Chicago. When PAWS Chicago was founded in 1997, more than 800 homeless cats and dogs were being killed in Chicago every week, totaling a staggering 42,561 deaths that year alone. Paws Chicago was founded to help put a stop to killing of homeless pets. Their goal is to engage the public and media to make a change. After PAWS Chicago brought the killing to public attention in 1998, the number of animals killed started to decrease. The number from then has started dropping.
Its one of the largest No Kill humane organizations in the Midwest. The PAWS Chicago Lurie Spay/Neuter Clinic is the largest free spay/neuter clinic in Chicago and the nation. Strategically located in Little Village, the Lurie Clinic provides free and low-cost spay/neuter services in under-resourced communities where the majority of stray and unwanted pets originate. This year, PAWS Chicago will sterilize more than 18,000 pets. Dog and cat adoption vents are held on weekend at shopping centers and retail stores.
Whether you are helping caring for animals, managing adoption events, raising funds, or working in the office volunteers can make a difference from PAWS Chicago.
VOLUNTEERING
The first step to becoming a PAWS Chicago volunteer is to attend a New Volunteer Orientation. You can sign up by visiting our page on Becoming a Volunteer. Volunteers must be 18 years old or older to attend.
We hold many orientations each month on various days and times, so if you do not see a date that is convenient for you, please check back as we post new dates every month. If you need to reschedule your session, please email volunteerwaiver@pawschicago.org with the dates of your original orientation, the orientation you would prefer to attend and your first and last name.
FOSTER CARE
Another thing you can do to help is by fostering a homeless pet. This gives more space at the Rescue and Recovery Center to save more animals. Many animals like dogs and cats are at the city pound ready to be euthanized. The more animals they take, the more they can rehabilitate and save. By providing a home setting you can help animals ready for a new home. Foster homes enable animals to be socialize and recuperate. This helps them get a home and a chance at a new better life.
As a foster parent you would have the responsibility for taking a homeless animal into your home. You provide them with food, water, toys, and of course lots of love. PAWS Chicago can provide any medical care needed and can help you with any questions you may have about fostering a animal.
We recommend attending a PAWS Chicago Volunteer Orientation. If you are currently an active volunteer and would like to become an Approved Foster Parent, complete the Foster Care Application.
If you would like more information on the Foster Program please contact us at 773-475-9464 or email foster@pawschicago.org. Please note that in order for you to become a PAWS Chicago foster parent, you must be 21 years of age or older.
ADOPTIONS
The PAWS Chicago Adoption and Humane Center is located in the heart of Chicago’s own Lincoln Park neighborhood, designed to meet all the needs of its homeless canine and feline guests, while welcoming and encouraging involvement from the community.
PAWS Chicago is redefining the whole concept of “animal shelter.” This bright, welcoming, accessible home-away-from-home for homeless animals is in the heart of one of the most progressive and animal-friendly communities in the country. PAWS Chicago is now revolutionizing the sheltering of Chicago’s homeless animals by opening the first state-of-the-art, cageless no kill shelter in the Midwest.
DONATIONS
PAWS Chicago offers the animals it rescues a guarantee of life.
Please make a tax-deductible donation today and help us give Chicago’s homeless pets a second chance. For more information or questions or to donate by mail or phone:
PAWS Chicago Development Office
1110 W. 35th St. Chicago, IL 60609
Adoption Center
1997 N. Clybourn Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614 – Map it
773-935-7297 (PAWS)
Sat and Sun: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Mon – Fri: 12 noon – 7 p.m.
Spay/Neuter Clinic
3516 W. 26th St.
Chicago, IL 60623 – Map it
773-521-7729 (SPAY)
Sun: 6:45 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tue, Wed, Thu: 6:45 a.m. – 6 p.m.
“Cruelty Glossary”. Aspca.org. 17 Feb 2012
http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/cruelty-glossary.aspx
“Animal Abuse and Neglect” HumaneSociety.org 17 Feb 2012 http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/abuse_neglect/
Animal Cruelty Facts http://animalcrueltyfacts.org/
The Animal Abuse-Human Violence Connection
http://www.paws.org/human-violence-connection.html
animal Cruelty http://learningtogive.org
Animal Abuse and Human Abuse: Partners in Crime
http://www.peta.org/issues/Companion-Animals/animal-abuse-and-human-abuse-partners-in-crime.aspx
Kyle Barczak, and 
Kristina Marynczak are discussing. 
Maura Bilek, and 
Ashlie Pacius are discussing. 
Kristina Marynczak 2:10 pm on February 22, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
hello. I really understand the issue you are trying to present because your paper is organized. The only doubts I have is how much research you did into PAWS. Is PAWS Chicago a subgroup of The Peoplefor The Etnical Treatment of Animals (PAWS) You mention they have saved alot of pets from being killed but did you ever research how many animals they have euthenized themselves? I think maybe to give your paper more opportunity you should mention other organizations that are local to help take action in the stopping of animal cruelty besdies one that mighht not have a too much liked reputation. Please feel free to correct me though if I am thinking of the wrong group..
Kyle Barczak 7:56 pm on March 1, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Barbara, while I completely agree with your topic, I believe there is a lot more you can expand on. Maybe about the PAWs facilities themselves and what they do with their animals, how they treat them, and what their living conditions are like. I was going to make a reference to a local P.A.W.S. shelter in Tinley Park but clearly that one and the PAWS you’re referencing are two entirely different facilities. I would make a larger attempt at describing your referenced facility. Maybe you could go in to the facility and ask a volunteer some questions about what they do with their animals or make a phone call and talk to someone who is there. While I feel that you are headed in the right direction on your paper, I’m not able to give you a full review with how little is provided. One thing I would pay attention to is your grammar. Double check that you’re using end quotations and that you’re using full sentences. But as I said, you’re definitely headed in the right direction, you just need to gather a bit more research and maybe widen your view and mention other animal welfare societies instead of focusing on just Chicago.