Did That Tree Come Decorated?

Check out Benny, formerly known at Red Door as Carlton. He's enjoying his new home!Now, if he could just figure out how to keep this tree around all year.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like

the holiday season for this Red Door alum Lucky Buta. If you'd like to help spread some holiday cheer, go to www.reddoorshelter.org and make a secured donation. That way other animals can be as "lucky" as Lucky Buta.

Rabbit Rescue--Life's Not a Day at the Beach for the Foster Avenue Bunnies

At first it was one email, and then--less than 24 hours later--Red Door was hearing from everyone about two rabbits abandoned at Foster Avenue Beach in Chicago. Emails, phone calls, an alderman's office--everyone wanted the two extra fluffy rabbits rescued.

So we sprang into action. Round one--the morning: board member Steve Williams--recovering from knee surgery, no less!--went to the garden near the Foster Avenue field house and captured the brown bunny. We named him Foster, for obvious reasons.

Round two--in the afternoon: board members Emilie Johnson and Marcia Coburn went back to the park for the tan bunny. He did not want to be captured at all and he was quite adept at running under bushes, around tall dried grasses, under fences, and out of people's grasp. Finally, a homeless gentleman joined the rescue effort and the last rabbit was captured. The name of the guy who helped: Jimmy. And so that became the tan rabbit's name.

Underneath all their fur, Foster and Jimmy were very skinny, and Foster had a few bite marks on his skin [Hey, knock it off, Jimmy] and a scratched cornea. Now they are both doing well, Foster's scratch has healed, and they're ready for new homes [both boys would be happier going to separate new digs].

Thanks to everyone who let us know about the plight of these rabbits--they wouldn't have lasted long outside. And a special thank you to those who donated some money towards the care of Foster and Jimmy.

Rachel -- At Long Last, Home for the Holidays!

Rachel came to Red Door in 2001. She was living a good life in one of our adult cat rooms, where she got to bask in the bay windows, take naps on fleece blankets, and hanging out with her feline and human friends. But....it's not the same as having a home of one's own.

We're thrilled to announce that, following our Home for the Holidays? plea, Rachel has been adopted! She left Red Door for her new home--with a long-standing Red Door adopter and volunteer--yesterday. We couldn't be happier for her.

A Real Snow Bunny!

You might remember Anka, or her twin sister Inga. Earlier this year, these Flemish giants were rescued from a horrible life in a so-called "petting zoo" in the southern part of the state. Both of them have been happily adopted and are enjoying a wonderful life of leisure and big salads.

Here are recent photos of Anka, who enjoys going outside [with total supervision, of course!] for brief frolics in the snow.

Three Wise Animals - Adopt or Foster a Dog, Rabbit, or Cat in Chicago Area

Weatherby, Cadbury, and Penelope are just a few of the great Red Door animals looking for a fresh start in 2008. Please consider bringing one home for the holidays--either as an adoption or to foster.

Bunny Bonding: Red Door Rabbit Update

Chip--the handsome fawn-colored lop, is a Red Door alum. He has a great mom--and for awhile, he was bonded with Lenny, an older Dutch who had been abandoned. When Lenny passed on, Chip settled back into his single bunny ways--as illustrated by the photo showing him passing time on a nearby bookshelf.

But then along came Bradley, a brown and white mini lop. Bradley's family couldn't take care of him any more, so he came to Red Door. He's very sweet--unlike most rabbits, Bradley loves to be held--but he has some major teeth issues. Right now, Bradley needs all his salad lettuce and parsley torn into small pieces. He also inhales bowls of Critical Care, the wonderful chopped-up hay product made by Oxbow Pet Products.

Chip's mom just couldn't leave Bradley at the shelter, so she took him to foster. And Bradley made a new friend. Chip likes him so much, he's willing to share his salad with him!

A Partridge in a Pear Tree?

No, that wasn't a partridge--in or out of a pear tree--that someone brought to the shelter's door. It was a bobwhite quail, found on a city parkway next to some parked cars. The quail is currently being treated at Animal 911 and then will be transferred to our wildlife rehab friends, Flint Creek Wildlife [www.flintcreekwildlife.org].

What's next? Seven swans a-swimming? We hope not.

Home for the Holidays?

As many of you know, we lost Mama Sue--who was the heart of the adult cat room. I know many of us still miss her and expect to see her sweet face when we enter the room.

Mama Sue arrived at the shelter in 2000 [the year we opened] and for seven years she lived in the adult cat room. Prior to Red Door, she lived outside so I am sure the shelter seemed like paradise to her--food, warmth, and other cats to love. During her early days at the shelter, she was wary of people, but always loving to other cats. She grew to love the company of volunteers and she was often the first to greet visitors at the door. Since her death, several volunteers have said that they had considered adopting her....

The shelter saves many animals from horrible fates, but it certainly is not a home. And Mama Sue, as loved as she was by so many of us, never experienced the joy, comfort, and unconditional love of a real home.

Can you help a long-term resident make it home for the holidays this year?

Now is the time--please give that special cat the ultimate gift: a home for the holidays and forever. You won't regret it.

There are so many lovely cats waiting for someone special--Penelope, Rachel, Nina, Halla, BBC, just to name a few. If you would like more information about long term fostering or special needs, please email Kristin or Matt at info@reddoorshelter.org

Jumbo Gumbo Settles Down

Finally! At long last, Gumbo, the survivor of Hurricane Katrina, has settled down and been officially adopted with his long time foster home. Gumbo was brought back to Chicago after Red Door volunteers went down to New Orleans to help in the aftermath of Hurrican Katrina. Gumbo was in and out of foster homes for most of his stay in Chicago, until one Red Door volunteer couldn't resist this charming hulk of a cat! Here you see Gumbo doing his impersonation of "The Thinker" and taking a moment to be thankful and ponder how wonderful his new life is!

Thank You! 3rd Gift Bazaar Helps Homeless Animals

Red Door's 3rd annual Fall Gift Bazaar & Toute Sweet Cookie Walk on Nov. 18th was a huge success this year! Thanks to everyone who supported it -- Red Door raised over 3times the amount of money made at last year's bazaar!

Here are photos from the beginning of the event---soon there were times when it was impossible to see across the room at Indian Boundary's Cultural Center. The evergreen wreaths sold out, the cookie table--over 35 varieties of homemade treats!--was a popular stop for visitors. And so were the wares at the artisans' tables.

We'll see you next year!

Adopted Cat Lets It All Hang Out

Check out this scandalous picture recently sent to us from Templeton. He obviously feels comfortable and happy enough to bare all in his new adopted home. Poor Templeton was found outside with a rather sizable bite wound that quickly formed into an abcess. He healed up and was placed into foster care, where he remained until he was adopted. From his adopter when she took him home:
"...Templeton was frantic to check out this strange new place he landed. Initially he had a little trouble with the slippery wood floors, but seems to be doing better now. He loves to explore (hates closed doors). I can hear him talking to himself as he wanders around..."

Red Door talks to the Red Eye about adoptions

Thanks to the Red Eye newspaper for interviewing Red Door about why people should adopt an animal rather than buying one for a store. The paper also brought up shelters' return policies on pets, since the recent Ellen Degeneres brouhaha over a dog.

Read more here: http://redeye.chicagotribune.com/red-111907-pets-return,0,2703952.story

Adopt a Rabbit in the Chicago Area!

Tell your friends about the great rabbits available for adoption at Red Door. Check them out at www.reddoorshelter.org

Adopt a Dog in the Chicago Area!

Tell your friends about the great dogs available for adoption at Red Door. Check them out at www.reddoorshelter.org

Adopt a Cat in Chicago Area

Tell your friends about the great cats and kittens available for adoption at Red Door! You can check them out at www.reddoorshelter.org

Another Speed Dating/Rabbit Adoption Success!

Winston came to Red Door as a transfer from the city's Animal Care and Control. He was adopted months ago into a happy home. Twila was found outside the Evanston Nature Center and rescued by Red Door.

Can the city bunny and the suburban bunny find true love? Yes, through Red Door's special bunny speed dating service. Putting 2 rabbits together isn't easy, but Red Door specializes in making such matches. Winston and Twila are the living proof.

Why Does that Bunny Want Money?

Because November 4th was Red Door's first Tag Day! Held to coordinate with national Animal Shelter appreciation week, Tag Day sent Red Door volunteers to Jewel stores and to the neighborhoods of Lincoln Square, Andersonville, Lake View and the suburb Evanston. The results were great: over $1400.00 raised in a couple of hours. Thanks to everyone who worked Tag Day, thanks to everyone who made a donation, and a big thanks to Liz Sharp, who got the Bunny to work for Red Door that day.

A Howlin' Good Time!

It was a howling good time in October at Urbanimal, 1257 W. Devon, Chicago. Red Door took photos of dogs who were decked out in Halloween finery--including Tucker as a pumpkin and Loki as a skunk [although we think he looks more like Dracula!]. Both Tucker and Loki are Red Door alums!

Lights, Camera, Action

Red Door now has the ability to upload short, 5-10 second videos to Petfinder. Be on the lookout for videos of your favorite cat or rabbit!

Trick or Treat! Have a Howl-a-ween Good Time.

Have a howling good time at Urbanimals this Saturday, October 22, from 12-3 p.m. Treats for dogs and humsns, meet Red Door dogs up for adoption. And get your dog's photo taken --in or out of costume -- at Urbanimal. All money from photos benefits homeless animals at Red Door.

Yipper Tipper!

Recent Red Door addition Tipper, whose genetic identity is a mystery to one and all, was adopted this week. Tipper's story is quite sad: she spent most of her life being loved by her companion, who lived in a nursing home. Tipper would sit on her owners lap for hours on end, and love to be held. Then suddenly her companion passed away, and Tipper was left homeless. She came to Red Door, and within a matter of days, was able to find a new home with a new companion who promises to love her just as much as her old one.

Happy Go Toby

Former Red Door resident Toby (aka Oscar) is living it up at his new digs with his new pal Riley. Toby has room to run and play, and quickly made good friends with Riley. As you can see from the postcard he sent us, they're getting along famously!

Red Door Animals OK -- Nearby Fire Didn't Reach Shelter

A fire started last night in an apartment above one section of Red Door. We had people on the scene quickly and no animals were hurt. The fire never reached Red Door; rather, it was contained in that apartment.

Thanks to the Chicago Fire Department and the Chicago Police Department for doing a great job -- and for letting us inside the building to check on the animals.

Thanks, too, to our animal-loving neighbors, who notified us promptly about the fire.

Animal Quacker Update

You might remember Guthrie, the duck we rescued in a blizzard. He lived in the shelter's office for several months as he recovered. We're happy to report that Guthrie is well and happy at his new home, where he hangs out with his new "flock" --several dogs! When they bark at someone walking down the street, Guthrie throws in his quacks, too.

Can Anyone Help Us?

Sure, we can!

When these two little kittens showed up outside Red Door Tuesday night, they were filthy, flea-ridden, and scared. They were also having trouble breathing because they were so congested. After a trip to the emergency clinic, they're looking so much better! But they're so little that they need round-the-clock care for a few more weeks. Now they're safe in a foster home.

Sarah Rocks It

We love Sarah Cunniff! Some of you might have met Sarah when she worked at Red Door (which was until recently). She's one of our best ambassadors. Recently, Sarah organized an information booth and fundraising raffle at the Riverview Music Festival -- which resulted in $1200.00 to help the shelter animals.

Sarah is the proud adopter of Jett, a Red Door rabbit; and we're proud of this RD alum. Thanks, Sarah!

On the Town

Check out Whitey and Kristin Avery, shelter adoption director, at a recent adoption event. Red Door animals are appearing all over town--don't miss them September 22 at Urbanimals in Chicago. See www.reddoorshelter.org for the latest information on events.
P.S.: Whitey is now in a foster home, who just might end up adopting him. Photo thanks to Sheri Berliner [www.petraits.com].

Yet Another Rabbit Confiscation!

Here is the sad news that there has been yet another rabbit consfication from a breeder, similar to the Watseka, IL case that captured headlines earlier this year. [These photos are from the earlier Watseka rescue.]

This time the 100 rabbits are in Louisville, KY. We'll bring you updates from the Metro Animal Shelter in Louisville.

Don't Miss this Saturday at FEED!

Saturday, August 25th, is THE day to go to FEED restaurant, 2803 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago. FEED will donate 20% of every meal sold to help feed the homeless animals at Red Door. That includes brunch, lunch, dinner, and carryout! We're always looking for a good excuse to eat some of FEED's down-home, southern-style cooking -- and this is it!

FEED is BYOB, with an outdoor patio. See you there!

Safe at Last: Rufus the Red Beagle

Poor Rufus--when he turned up at another shelter, he was a mess. There were bites from bigger dogs all over his hip and leg. The other shelter loved him, but they didn't have room, so Rufus's fate was uncertain. On Sunday, Rufus arrived at his Red Door foster home and, as you can see, he looks very happy.


Thanks to Mary Ann Hetreed for helping with Rufus's transportation.

Space to Roam

You might have read about Anka last February on the blog;she was rescued from living in a barn. Certainly, if you've visited Red Door in the past five months, you've noticed Anka. She was the big rabbit--all 12+ pounds--who was living in a pen in the office area. Even if we'd wanted to put her in a cage [which we didn't], she would never have fit.

We knew it would take a special person to fall in love with a big girl like Anka, someone who could appreciate the size and personality of a Flemish Giant--plus someone who had enough space for Anka to live a free-roaming life. We're happy to say that our wishes for Anka have been fulfilled. She was adopted last Saturday.

Above are photos of Anka in her new home. Finally, she says, a place big enough for my ears!