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.