Dog Adoption Event at Sit! Feb. 9th

Come meet great Red Door dogs like Gus on Saturday, February 9th, at Sit! Boutique, 2316 W. Leland, Chicago [in the Lincoln Square neighborhood]. We'll be there from 12 - 3 p.m. Sit! offers quality pet food and toys.

Gus's portrait by www.petraits.com

Red Door on WYCC TV Sunday, Feb.10th

Don't miss the segment on Red Door on WYCC Channel 20 on Sunday, Feb. 10th. Listen up between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Adopt a Rabbit in February!

February is Adopt a Rabbit Month...so what better time!

As you can see, Phillip agrees, and he's ready for adoption! Come see the rest of the great bunnies at www.reddoorshelter.org.

We're Dancing with Joy -- The Contest is Over!

Well, it appears that in spite of a tremendous amount of support, Red Door didn't win the $50,000 challenge in the Network for Good contest.

But still, Courtney's jumping for joy -- and so are we. Approximately 200 people helped us raise over $4600! The animals couldn't be more thankful.

Adopt a Dog in Chicago Area -- Give Gus a Chance

You'll never meet a more lovable guy than Gus. He's just a big lug [56 pounds] of sweetness and friendliness. He's currently living in a foster home with 7 cats--so that should give you a good idea of Gus's easygoing nature. He is dog-friendly. Gus is 2 years old. If he looks a little more "aged" than that, it's because of his background. He was abandoned outside in a dog exercise pen. His owner just left him and his sister Missy [already adopted from Red Door] and vanished. Gus had to deal with no shelter, little food, lack of water, no relief from fly bites on his ears. So if he looks a little weatherbeaten, you know why.

But this neglect never touched his heart. He knows he's not the prettiest guy around, but is definitely one of the sweetest.

What's in Tandem with Tikki? Adopt a Cat in Chicago Area.

What is that sticking out of the middle of Tikki's back? It looks like little angel wings? Or tiny rabbit ears?

Nope! It's her kitten Tandem. Tikki and Tandem were found outside, fending for themselves. We're happy to provide them with a warm, safe place.

Adopt a Dog in Chicago Area - This Chocolate Lab Has Zero Calories!

Weatherby may have a very proper British-sounding name, but he's still just a happy chocolate lab looking for a home. He's house-trained, knows sit, loves people, is dog-friendly; he could benefit from some training on how to walk on a leash. And we know he'd love a yard or regular exercise!

Please consider adopting Weatherby. This is one helping of chocolate that's non-fat.

Don't Call Her "Chicken!" She Was Running Down Ridge Avenue.

Luckily, a driver saw poor Zsa Zsa running down Ridge Avenue, dodging cars. This person stopped, risked her own life to capture Zsa Zsa, and bring her to Red Door. This Japanese Bantam chicken is very sweet and really likes being around people. We have no idea how she got in the middle of a busy Chicago street--we're just glad we could help rescue her.

2007 -- That's a Wrap!

It was a good year for the animals at Red Door--if you doubt it, just check out Cadbury, who was transferred from ACC to RD. Here he's relaxing in his foster home, which lets him run the house. We're not sure that Cadbury's ever to be formally up for adoption--but many other wonderful animals are.

Please think of the cats, dogs, rabbits--and even a chicken!--when you or your friends are ready for an animal companion.

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!