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].