Pets Are Forgotten Victims of Poor Economy

As the economy sinks, more and more pets are paying the price. Across the country, many animal shelters have seen a huge increase in abandoned pets due to mortgage foreclosures, lost jobs,and general downsizing. Here at Red Door, we, too, are finding more pets abandoned outside--cats and rabbits in boxes or shopping bags, dogs left wandering on their own. Red Door is currently experiencing an increase of 39% in abandoned animals and requests to take in cats, dogs and rabbits. Your tax refund or economic stimulus check will provide shelter, vet care, and food for Red Door cats, dogs, and rabbits--many of whom are victims of the currently dire economic situation. Please make a donation today.

Get Ready to Walk Your Tail Off!

Be sure to sign up for the 8th Annual Red Door Gimme Shelter walk for the animals. This is guaranteed to be a fantastic time for you and your pooch!

Sunday June 1st, 2008
Registration begins at 9am, walk starts at 10am.
Indian Boundry Park
2500 W. Lunt Ave
Chicago, IL

For further information on this fun event, and to pre-register, see the website at www.reddoorshelter.org.

See you there!

Adoptions in A-Ville

Red Door held an adoption event for some of our pups, kittens, and even a rabbit at White Attic in Andersonville. The event went out great, and Red Door received a lot of support. Even more importantly, most of the animals at the event were adopted as a result! Thanks to the Red Door Board, as well as volunteers to helped to make this day a success. Look out for Red Door to make a return to White Attic over the summer.

Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!

Red Door dog Glory was adopted over the weekend! Her new adopters are looking forward to taking her for walks, and giving her all the love and attention she deserves.

Rose the rescue duck finds a home

Remember the party favor ducks? Days-old and passed out at a kid's party several months ago? Well, another "party favor" turned up recently. Rose had been living in an apartment since the party, but she grew up. Red Door took care of Rose--who was strongly imprinted on human beings-- for a week, then she moved to her home.

Here she is enjoying herself and learning to make friends with other ducks. We hear that Rose is now one of the girls--she's living happily with three other female ducks. Thanks to Heather Miller, who gave Rose a home, and to Illinois Duck Rescue.

Clooney Disapproves!

Clooney, adopted from Red Door, makes the Disapproving Rabbits web site! He disapproves of the whole thing, particularly that he is a "Clooney Eclipse." Read all about disapproving rabbits at http://www.disapprovingrabbits.com/2008/04/clooney.html

Adopt a Rabbit in Chicago Area

Your best friend could be a rabbit! Adopt one now from Red Door, the only no-kill shelter in the metro Chicago area that rescues and adopts out rabbits--plus cats and dogs!

www.reddoorshelter.org

Time's Running Out for Spring Raffle

Don't let this opportunity to rescue animals AND win prizes slip away! The Spring-to-Life Rescue Raffletends Tuesday, April 15th at 7 p.m. Drawing is at 7:30 p.m. You could win a Nintendo Wii gaming console, a case of wine, a portable DVD player, and many other great prizes.

Go to www.reddoorshelter.org and buy your tickets online. We'll fill out the stubs for you. Good luck!

One kitten, two kittens, three kittens!

The Chicago Cubs organization would be proud of the latest trio of kittens admitted to Red Door. Cubbie, Addison, and Wrigley are three kittens about 3-5 weeks of age transferred from Chicago Animal Care in Control. The three were found outside and were very dirty, smelly, and were fighting off an internal infection. The kittens are well on the way to recovery, and hopefully will be available for adoption sometime in May.

Kelly, Kelly, Kelly, K-E-L-L-Y...Why?

Because Red Door knows a cute, well behaved dog seeking a new loving home when it sees one! Kelly is a year old Shih Tzu-Poodle mix who was taken in by Red Door after her owner decided she didn't have enough time for her. Kelly is very sweet, seeks attention and affection, and will soon be looking for a loving home. She's not fixed for vaccinated yet, but be on the look out at the Red Door website for her picture when she's ready for adoption!

Spring time means Spring-to-Life Raffle. Buy tickets at Jewel this weekend.

OK, it won't be this warm this coming weekend, but still it's supposed to be sunny and bright. Look for Red Door volunteers at the following Jewel stores, selling Spring-to-Life raffle tickets. Buy a ticket and get a chance at winning some fabulous prizes, including a Nintendo Wii game console, a case of French and California wine, a portable DVD player and more.

Every ticket you buy helps us spring into action and save more animals in need. That's a win/win situation!

Here is where we will be:
Saturday, April 5
10 am - 4 pm
Jewel, 1128 Chicago Avenue, Evanston

Saturday, April 5
11 am - 3 pm
Jewel, 4250 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago

Sunday, April 6
10 am - 4 pm
Jewel, 5516 N. Clark, Chicago

Sunday, April 6
10 am - 2 pm
Jewel, 3630 N.Southport, Chicago

We'll see you there!
P.S.: Isn't this koi pond great? It belongs to a Red Door volunteer.

Magnolia Finds a Home!

Magnolia came to us because her person had died. After that, she was neglected--stuck in a small cage outside. She came to Red Door grossly overweight and very depressed.

We kept her in an exercise pen in the office--she was the big white bunny, if you visited the shelter. Now she's happy in her new home, where she is showered with the love she deserves. Guess what? She's blossoming!

1st Easter bunny of 2008 arrives

Meet Avery--who is less than 4 weeks old and measures 8 inches long. She or he (it's too early to tell yet) is the first 2008 Easter bunny victim at Red Door. Thanks to an animal lover who saved Avery from her doorman, who had purchased Avery as a gift--a gift that wasn't wanted. Currently Avery is in a foster home, where this little Dutch has a lot of growing to do.

Talk about one picture being worth a thousand words: Here's why rabbits should not be sold for Easter.

Ramona officially adopted at Red Door

You might remember reading about a poor kitty that came to Red Door almost one year ago today. Her name was Ramona, and in her 5 years, she had been through alot...prone to kidney and urinary stones, shot with a BB gun, living in a household with a dog that made her stressed and miserable. After she came to Red Door she perked up, got healthy, relaxed, and became the ultimate (and we do mean ultimate!) lap cat. We're happy to say that Ramona has officially been adopted this week! She's fitting in wonderfully, and has no worries in her new loving home.

All The Love He Can Bear

Red Door resident senior feline Bear went to a loving home this week. Bear has rewarded his new home with Bear-hugs and finds things to be quite Bear-able. Here he is playing "Bear in a Blanket".

Red Door on Best Friends Animal Sanctuary Volunteer Network

Read about Red Door on the Best Friends Network!

http://network.bestfriends.org/chicago/news/23694.html

Adopt a Dog in Chicago Area -- Meet Shelby!

Looking for a hug? Sweet little Shelby will give you one. She's quite accomplished at putting her front paws around your neck and giving you a hug. Shelby is 2-years-old, good on her leash, fine with cats, children and other dogs. She passed her temperament test with flying colors!

Shelby is looking for a loving home. Please consider adopting a dog from Red Door.

St. Catrick's Day Update

Last Saturday was St. Catrick's Day at Red Door--the day that all the Red Door cats are Irish. Any cat adopted went home with a catnip-filled shamrock; his or her new human companion received an Illinois Lottery Shamrock lottery. The lucky cats included: Grey; Lex; Grace, Biscotti, Forrester, and others.

Easter Bunnies -- The Right Way!

It's that time of year again. And once more, Red Door is getting the word out about not buying pet bunnies for Easter. Our ad--designed courtesy of board member Toni Greetis--has run in The Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Reader, Pioneer Press. It is also displayed in pet supply stores, libraries, and community centers in the metropolitan area.

Here's hoping it's a good year for rabbits.
Thanks to the Anti-Cruelty Society for their help in getting the word out.

Heading South - The Ducks Are Going Home

The five ducks who were given out as party favors at a kid's party have found a new home. Since being rescued by Red Door, these ducks have grown up from cute balls of yellow fuzz and now they will be moving to a wonderful home just south of Joliet. They'll have their own heated duck house, swimming pool, and a secure nighttime place to sleep. The Duck Road Trip is scheduled for Sunday.

These three have been fostered by Dr. Gia Gallegos--a huge thanks to her! The other two have been fostered by Kari Maclean--another huge thanks! Also, we want to thank Illinois Duck Rescue, Holly Richards (who helped us track down two of the party favor ducklings), Barb Manny for being the driver on the Duck Road Trip, and Animal 911 for all their help.