PAWS Chicago Review

I mean, it's obvious that animal care laws and whatever make you sign the documents, but why complain about it? Everyone has time, so get your own share. Honestly, what else do you expect? It's like adopting a child, and you do need paperwork for that. I got my cat from paws. She's cute. I think they need to be checked more often for fleas, though.

The most amazing adoption center ever. Received the most amazing gift from them. A companion for life.

I would like to think that this organization helps many animals in Chicago. But, after my exceedingly condescending experience today speaking with one of their adoption counselors, I'm surprised that any animals find homes at all.

The adoption process was a bit long, but I couldn't love my two dogs more! We rescued them back in August 2014 and they're complete sweethearts. I really wish that they had something obvious online that states that off-site locations like in malls and such do not have many dogs there, and they're generally already adopted as well as bringing with every family member of the household with if expecting to adopt. Not only did it take us from mall to mall to mall, but after a few hours and finally coming here, we found a dog we were considering to adopt and then they sent us home to get our other dog we already had and bring her in as well. So that was another hour or so to the trip that should've been shorter with clarification. Nonetheless, we adopted two adorable pooches who love us greatly. They were already spayed and ready to go, but our Shih Tzu mix still had very matted fur. But I love helping PAWS out cause they're an amazing organization and I enjoy volunteering at the Run for their Lives event!

I was wondering if you have small white fluffy dogs?

Amazing (if you can call a shelter amazing! The staff are great.

The shelter itself is great, the staff not so much. At least the front desk staff. I just started to volunteer there and every time i walk in i am not greeted, and they finish their conversations with each other before attending to me. The volunteers are 10x nicer and attentive than the actual staff that's getting paid.

Great place a little little expensive on the adoptions

PAWS Chicago is hands down the best adoption agency! They feed their animals premium food, provide them optimal space and care, and really care about their animals over money. My experience with them has been absolutely wonderful. They were so helpful when helping me decide on an animal that is best suite for my household. They provided a stress-free and personalized adoption process. I recommend PAWS Chicago over any adoption agency in the state of Illinois!

Our new best friend came to us courtesy of PAWS. They were wonderful and very helpful.

I have been sending applications to adopt dogs for several weeks, and have not got as much as a reply from these people. I understand that COVID has made things difficult but I would think that a response is only common courtesy. There isnt even a telephone number to call to speak with someone

If you want to adopt a cat or dog this is the best no kill shelter.

Fantastic! We found a little girl that fit perfectly into our home and had found her "furever" home. If we ever adopt again I'll come back here. The facility was clean and staff knowledgeable. I love that they are open with any issues you may encounter like potty problems or if they get along with other cats/dogs/kids.

We adopted our cat, Clover, from this shelter. The staff was very friendly and helpful during the process, and even gave us a free bag of dry food after the adoption.

Got my cute little kitty Jaskier from this place! The staff were incredibly helpful and nice, and I would recommend to anyone looking for a new best furry friend.

It's lovely. I almost requested to adopt elmer the lovely puppy. But he didn't seem interested in me so i figured he deserves someone he loves more. staff are professional. Dogs and cats are well cared for.

I want to adopt a lab. Best place for animal lovers.

Racism against Asians. DEBRA that is who I'm talking to...

My family loved how keep the animals love and cleaned also well nourished.

What a terrible experience. Regardless the fact that they have ridicules procedure for adopting, the people that work there are the rudest people I have ever met.. We went twice and they basically treat you like a criminal. I feel sorry for all those animals that weren't adopted because people change their mind of how are treated there. I adopted my cat a few days ago from another shelter in Chicago. People there were so nice and kind, I loved it. I truly recommend people to visit less famous shelters

An amazing organization doing great work in the community

I am a volunteer at Paws once a week for the last 2 years. It's such a pleasure to go and help out with these pets looking to be adopted to a forever home. The staff and other volunteers put forth a top flight effort for the well being of these animals.

My brother-in-law passed away in mid May. Donations in his memory to PAWS were requested. I made one and selected a notification card I really liked to be sent to my sister. This morning she told me PAWS never sent her anything and there was a list of people who had made donations that she didn t even know about. Additionally, one friend made a donation and wasn t even on the list. Come on, people- you are doing a magnificent job with the animals but you need to show good stewardship to your supporters as well. Imagine how good my sister would have felt a month ago knowing her husband had been remembered in this way.

To many chiefs and not enough Indians........Some of the volunteers were very nice and some were very rude and not very knowledgeable about animals. You get what you pay for! No one seems to know what is going on or really cares. Dog area smells like pee. All these people standing around you should be able to eat off the floor. I guess its a good way to waste a day and meet new people.

There are so many wonderful things I could say about PAWS Chicago, and it frustrates me to see some of the negative reviews on here. As a fellow volunteer, yes nothing goes 100% smoothly most of the time, but that s because we re a non profit operation that relies on donations and volunteers to stay in business! PAWS does incredible work for the city of Chicago and all of the animals that end up at CACC. Thank you PAWS for taking care of the animals that would otherwise get left behind!

Treated like we were not welcome. Appeared to not be too anxious to provide an animal to African Americans. Will never go back.

I have had my cat for 8 years now sadly she passed, she was such a sweet heart and I will not be suppressed if you to find a caring cat such as mine and I definetley recommend paws. The only reason I did not give paws 5 stars is because when I adopted my cat they said she was one years old and a few weeks ago when the vet tested her age she turned out to be 16! Not 8 like we excepted that means when I got my cat she was actually not 1 but 8.

Very confusing. Not clear answers and a lot of sass and excuses for not emailing or calling back. But the dogs and cats were kept in nice square rooms and not cages.

Rude people there. Only friendly one was one of the women at the front desk and a volunteer. Long paperwork just to be able to interact with the animals. If you're not 100% ready to adopt they won't take you seriously and you'll be wasting your time.

Love what they do but the staff is too snooty for me.

Cute place adopted from them as well years ago - very kind staff - genuinely nice people

Absolutley great community that make a difference in all the lives they come across

I got my cat from them back in 2014. They were great, and made sure we were prepared before we took her home.

If I could give it zero or negative stars I would due to 1 very important thing they failed to do. Aside from that, the process wasn't bad, although felt a bit rushed. I went to register my adopted pet in my town and could not until I went to Cook County Animal Control and got the information of the owner fixed on her rabies certificate. It still had PAWS listed and the address on Clybourne. Both my town and the county told me that this is something that should have been done by PAWS on the day I adopted to list me as the owner with my address on her rabies certificate and this is a normal thing that is done for animal adoptions. More importantly I was told by the county that if she was lost or ran away, because PAWS was on file with Cook County and not me that me presenting paperwork of the rabies certificate would not verify that I was the owner of the dog and would have not been able to get her back. No matter how the rest of the process was, the fact that something so important easily fell through the cracks is somewhat distressing. I hope this is not happening all the time. Fail PAWS!!!

Adopted a chihuahua, 6 years old. Took us almost a year to find the right diet. Until then many vet trips. Now he s perfect.

Love the people and the environment. I appreciate the fact that they find pets great loving homes

400 dollars for a dog, I don't know if that's a rescue or a business, however if you wanna help a cute animal this is a please you can go and make one happy

Great for finding and giving a special needs animal a home.

I adopted a kitten yesterday and was impressed by PAWS determination to provide great homes for their animals. From the initial on-line application process to the introduction to kitten candidates to the final interview process, everything was efficient, thorough and heart-felt.
And, the veterinary background information provided to me for my kitten ensured me that he was in good health. When I completed the adoption and brought "Marco" home, I could tell that his PAWS foster parents had treated him very well. Marco is a very healthy and happy little guy. Thank you, PAWS!

Got rejected from adopting a cat last December because my last dog had passed away from diabetes and I didn't take my dog to the vet on time? If they only knew how loving of a pet owner I was but they didn't give me a chance. Ended up buying a cat instead.

Well this place is supposed to help animals in need find a forever home, but we were turned away in a SUPER RUDE way because our amazing dog is not currently neutered even though she is a house dog and will not be bred, this is a place that is "anti cruelty" and they want me to go and mutilate my baby or otherwise you just aren't a responsible and worthy person to adopt an animal in "need" they could have saved me the pain, time and effort that my kids and I endured if they only let us know before we fell in love with one of their kitties, it's just not fair to make us go through all the hoops and turns before shutting us down. one male worker in particular was very snobby and overly opinionated.

I wish I could give this place more than 5 stars. PAWS does so much community outreach to underserved areas of Chicago. Great place to adopt a cat or dog.

Best place in the city to adopt a pet. Adopt don't shop.

Not for nothing is this the #1 rated animal welfare charity in the nation!

This is my happy place! The staff really cares about the dogs & cats and make every effort to ensure they all go to a good home. Those who don't find homes are still loved in a warm, safe environment either at the facility or in foster care.

PAWS is incredible. I volunteer there, and it really is such an amazing place. If you are looking to foster or adopt, please go and support paws in any way you can. They deserve it.

I didn't put an applications since May and I know that you got to put in every six months but have no one got back in contact with me I looked through my emails all the time and unfortunately no one called me no one wrote me no one text me and told me to come in and view any little small Chihuahua dog or any dog that is very very small so and petland is a joke I don't think y'all want to get a dogs up so someone give me a call

We were not planning to adopt but once we met Bentley (we now named him Paws) we fell in love. He needed some work and training which we have been and will continue to do but he has taken over our hearts and has helped us heal from losing our other dogs. The Paws' adoption process was not bad and the staff was helpful and friendly. I would recommend Paws Chicago to anyone.

I CALLED 1st before driving down, finding parking to donate PILLOWS. The lady on the phone told me yes. The semi rude older lady in person....was like NO, we can't. They can't be washed. So, we can't. Blah. Just inform your staff. I made the trip...for that

I've adopted three cats from PAWS now. The staff takes amazing care of their charges until they find their forever homes! Emaline (who left me last year), River and Brix (adopted September 2012) are the sweetest, mildest-mannered kitties I've ever met. All my friends marveled at how well socialized and loving they are I can take a little credit, but most of it goes to the folks who cared for them pre adoption.

Just amazing what they do for our 4 legged friends. We thank you!

INTERN HERE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!! I interned with their community outreach department last summer and while i was out in the field, I had someone open my passenger door (I was inside their van) and rip my phone out of my hands. I filed a police report and appealed to the director of the community outreach and my direct supervisor for help (my phone was on a lease and I had well over $500 left to pay). They wouldn't even consider helping me and turned me away. They hid behind a wavier I assigned that acknowledged I was aware I would be interacting with animals and I could be physically injured. My phone was in no way related and yet they still wouldn't even consider helping me. Their apology doesn't make up for their poor inadequate safety training their staff has. This is an organization that heavily relies on volunteers and interns to run, but yet they have no compassion or appreciation for them. Great mission and services but again, INTERN HERE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!!!!!

I adopted my dog here about 2 years ago after volunteering for a bit and found the experience to be mostly good. The place is clean, the staff is friendly and helpful, and the adoption was quick and painless. The only downfall is that the shelters focus seems to be adopting out as many animals as possible to increase adoption rates year over year. That means that there isn't a whole lot of time spent determining whether the animal you're adopting is the right one for you. This is an understandable problem though given the shelters dependence on volunteers.

Reading some of the other, negative reviews is a bit disappointing. Having volunteered at this shelter for a short while I think that people need to keep in mind that a lot of the day to day care of the animals is done by volunteers, and very few of them at that. Staff is always shorthanded, so if you feel that the conditions here are poor please take time out of your day to volunteer here. The more volunteers the better each animal gets taken care of.

Likewise, if your adoption experience was frustrating, keep in mind that the person who handled your adoption was most likely a volunteer. If you didn't like it, please volunteer as an adoption coordinator and make that experience a better one.

What it comes down to is, if you had a poor experience here keep in mind that that only reflects upon the individuals you had contact with, not the organization. This place runs on volunteers, so if you had a bad experience, volunteer and make it a better one.

The cleanest and nicest shelter you can ever visit. Animals are in rooms not cages. Very clean. Well socialized animals.

Hello my name is naihomy i have a question why do we have to call

The staff was amazing in helping us get matched with our dog and extremely helpful with all our questions. We have had our loving pup for 3 months now, thanks PAWS for all your help in matching us with our fur baby!

I filled out an application a week ago to foster a dog who has bitten two staffers here and is perfect around me. No return phone call, no email, no nothing. Poor dog has been there two months and every time I go there the staff are playing on smart phones and tell me they are too busy to read my application.
I have a dog business and vvolunteered here for years.
Poor dogs have to sit in pens bc of incompetent workers !

I adopted a cat in April but I had to return the cat due to behavioral issues. I tried to re adopt today from 1997 north clyborn and Sara was very rude. She asked me a bunch of questions on why I returned the cat. I explained. She was very rude and unprofessional. She treated me like I was unable to care for a cat. I never have been this disrespected in my life. I felt discriminated against. I ve had cats all my life . I feel she treated me like that because I am black. I hope she sees this review and work on her attitude and learn how to talk to people

Quality of staff has dramatically changed over the years since my previous adoptions. I have adopted two cats from PAWS, and will no longer be supporting this community.

Nice volunteers, exceptionally rude adoption staff! One woman was barking orders, talking down to her peers (trainee), very standoffish to us, and other customers. She created an atmosphere of tension and animosity that eventually led to us leaving empty handed. Expect to be treated like you are clueless with animals here. Seems as if they will take any means possible to not allow an adoption.

Each person on your lease has to be present to adopt a cat even if they won't be taking care of the cat. Adoption lady demanded to call my landlord and had the phone conversation outside privately without us around. Despite providing a lease, having primary care takers present, and landlord approval, she still denied us our adoption.

The only reason this isn't a one star review is because of Chris. She was very fun to be around and showed us that she truly cares for the kitties and wanted us to find the best cat we could. Ultimately, we spent a solid 2 hours trying to find the best fit for our household, only to be denied because other roommates weren't present. Such a crummy policy considering roommates are temporary and pet ownership is for life.

Will gladly take my business and love for cats somewhere else where I will be treated with respect by staff that encourage pets to go to loving homes.

Great organization with a great cause and a really solid community of volunteers around the city. Plus they have adorable cats and dogs that you can adopt same day.

This place made me feel like a complete a*hole for trying to come in and get my dog a companion. This old lady in the front kept going on and on about how it was a bad idea when she doesn't even know my dog. She doesn't see that she's sad and I wanted to have her someone to be around. Just honestly made me feel terrible.

It s amazing that they are a non profit organization and it seems like they have a nice mission.
However, the people who work there are VERY disrespectful. I ve never felt so uncomfortable being in any facility than this one. When asked to meet a dog, I was immediately spoken to as if I wasn t serious about the process and almost as if i were ignorant. When speaking to one of the employees and literally nodding and saying right, yes, i understand he literally responded with okay but let me finish my protocol. i m talking. i wasn t cutting this guy off or being rude. I was just simply responding with how I understand what he s saying. There is a huge difference in telling something about your process/how you operate and treating people like they re ignorant and don t even know anything about animals. These people made me so uncomfortable and I will not return to this place. Prepare for something to practically speak to you as if you were a child instead of having a proper adult to adult conversation. I ve seen so many people say that their staff is disrespectful. I wish I listened.

Very nice facillity for pets looking for homes, but not the brightest people working as volunteers. Recently went in to look at adopting dogs and had requested to see two dogs and during our interactions in the play room we were told "sorry this dog is considered for adoption" Not the best way to run operations but I do understand when you have puppies in they do not stay long...
"How long have you been looking for a dog for....

They do wonderful work here and have so many sweet animals looking for homes (foster or adoption) with you. They offer great support for their foster parents and animals. Come by, find a new friend. Or just say hi and drop off a little donation.

In addition to helping new pet parents bond with their new pet, PAWS staff provides ongoing information & support to the new pet parents re: any concerns that that they may have. These services are delivered by caring & knowledgeable certified staff who are invested in keeping you & your pet together.

This place is great. Really amazing place to adopt an animal. It's very clean and all the animals are taken care of

we fostered then adopted a dog that was a westie mix.he was so sweet.i recommend paws chicago,wright way rescue , and cca pound for adopting dogs and cats.

PAWS Chicago is a great animal shelter! The staff are friendly and the animal are well cared for.

I went to a few shelters, fell in love with a dog and then after filling out so much paper work only to have the dog given to someone else. I lost my boy Romeo a few weeks ago and have his sister Bell. Today I saw a Daschund and fell in love. I ran over to PAWS and was told he is going into a foster home today. I filled out all paper work, talked honestly with anyone I needed to speak with. Had to have my dog visit before I could adopt Sylvester the skinny longest Daschund boy I ever saw and he was very timid to humans. I was not leaving without that dog unless someone that day could offer him a better home. I was shocked how genuine everyone was to do what they could so I did not go away empty handed again from an adoption facility. Thank you so much. Sylvester Now is Charlie -is getting used to his new home. He likes his new older sister more than me right now and since she is older she lets him sleep in her tent. When in the tent humans are not allowed. He goes in and comes out to explore and Bell is an amazing big sister. So Excited to have him in our family. I knew he belonged with me when I saw his picture and fell head over heals for him when I met him. THANK YOU PAWS for making the process so easy and letting me have him right away. He is wagging his tale and warming up to humans.

Excellent place to find a new family member. Also look into volunteering, they can always use help to care for the animals.

I volunteer here. Best place to adopt a rescued dog.or cat in the Chicago metro