PAWS Chicago kicks off annual pet Adopt-a-Thon push

Angelina Leshchinskaya and Wendy Acosta both walked into PAWS Chicago’s adoption center at the same time on Friday for different reasons.

Acosta, who lives in Portage Park, was sure she was going to adopt and had been doing research to bring home a new friend for her chihuahua, Hazel. Leschinskaya, of Buena Park, just expected to browse for what would be her only dog.

Both ended up leaving with puppies — chihuahuas named Twinkle and Sparkle — from the same litter.

“Literally, within the first couple of minutes, I was drawn to Twinkle right away,” Leshchinskaya said. “I was like, ‘OK, this is a sign.’”

PAWS’ annual adopt-a-thon event started Friday with a goal to get 200 animals adopted by the event’s end on Dec. 21.

Even in the early hours of the event’s first day, PAWS’ adoption center, 1997 N. Clybourn Ave., was full of visitors meeting cats and dogs and receiving adoption consultations. Visitors were welcomed with snacks and warm beverages.

Celene Mielcarek, head of program operations, said the Adopt-a-Thon is PAWS' biggest adoption push each year.

“The Adopt-a-Thon is not just about bringing a pet into a home at this wonderful time of year,” she said, “but also about enabling us to rescue more, save more, with the space that opens up in our shelter.”

Mielcarek said the holidays are already a time for increased traffic at PAWS. With many off from work and spending more time with family, people are more inclined to add a pet to their home. The Adopt-a-Thon takes advantage of that timing.

And this year the event is especially critical for the animals. While pandemic restrictions keeping people at home increased pet adoptions, now there is rising pet homelessness and relinquishment.

“We’re seeing that happen all year,” said Paige Krueger, an eight-year volunteer veteran at PAWS, “and those numbers are increasing.”

Krueger said increased care costs for pets and few new veterinary offices are to blame. Getting as many as possible adopted is crucial right now, so shelters can find some relief and not risk the lives of pets in overwhelmed facilities.

To help reach their adoption goal, PAWS has extended hours on select days during the event, and every day there are additional appointment times for those looking to adopt. Walk-ins are also accommodated.

Before potential adoptees come in, PAWS recommends filling out their "comPETability" survey. Once at the adoption center, counselors help visitors look through different options and get settled with their pet. If an adoptee lives in what PAWS considers a pet food or resource desert, Krueger added, they may qualify for free pet food, leashes or crates.

Leshchinskaya and Acosta said their experience shows how easy the adoption process is and encouraged people to consider adopting instead of going to a breeder. They also plan to keep in touch so their new dogs can see each other in the future.

And Acosta, who is taking home Sparkle, can’t wait for her two dogs to start playing together.

“[Sparkle] wagged her tail once she met Hazel,” she said, “and when she did that I knew that these two were gonna be best friends. It just was like, ‘Where do I sign?’”