A Perfect Valentine's Day!

We had gotten a phone call about a pet rabbit running around the Irving Park and Greenview neighborhood in Chicago. Mike and Meghan had tried to catch her. Then Mike went back by himself and got close to catching her, but the bunny ran away.

So on Valentine's Day, Toni, Liz, and Marcia went to the neighborhood. After a lot of scouting under porches and in backyards, they saw the little lionhead-mix bunny hiding under a bush. They circled in and -- Valentina was on her way to the warmth and safety of Red Door.

Since arriving, this bunny has shown her sweet personality by being friendly and outgoing to everyone. And she likes to sit on laps--now that's a romantic bunny.

Dog rescued from uncertain fate

Last Saturday a Red Door Board Member saw a dog wandering around outside. The dog appeared to be frightened, thin, and very injured. She was bleeding from her hindquarters, and needed medical attention. Thankfully the Board Member and a Red Door staff member were able to corral the dog and get to the vet. The dog, now named Laney, needed sutures to repair the wounds on her legs. Once she got cleaned up and looked at by a doctor, Laney became a real charmer. Laney will be available for adoption soon, so be on the lookout!

Have a Heart Art Auction

Join us at Woman Made Gallery, 685 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, for a wonderful art show. The work is bound to make your heart beat faster! Auction of art work ends the evening--with all proceeds going to the animals at Red Door. Admission is free. Cash bar for wine, soda, and heart-healthy pomegranite martinis--with proceeds going to the shelter animals.
Red Door cat Jade does her best DaVinci impersonation, showing off her tipped ear.

February is Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month!

In addition to snow and Valentine’s Day, this cold month gives us the opportunity to celebrate all things bunny. Rabbits are the third most commonly found homeless animals. Many potential rabbit parents don’t even realize that they can adopt a rabbit! Spread the word and hop over to Red Door to visit with some of the great adoptable rabbits.

Sweet Home Chicago

Red Door took a call in December from a shelter in Colorado about a cat they claimed was chipped to us. As it turns out, it was a Red Door cat named Cassie. She had been adopted from Red Door in 2001. At some point her adopter had moved to Colorado, and eventually lost their house to foreclosure, and surrendered Cassie to the nearest shelter. Cassie had literally one day left to live at the traditional shelter where she would have been euthanized in order to make room. A woman in Colorado answered an ad to be a temporary foster home for Cassie, then with the help of volunteers and friends of Red Door, we were able to get Cassie transported back to sweet home Chicago. Come and visit this sweet girl and let her know how glad you are to have her back home!

Pictures with Santa Paws

Thanks to Sit! Boutique (2316 W. Leland, Chicago) for being Red Door's little Santa's helper this holiday season. They sponsored a Santa Paws photo session with all the donations going to the homeless animals at Red Door! Here are a few of the pets who got to whisper their wishes to Santa at Sit! From the shelter animals, a big "Thank You!" and an even bigger "Happy Holidays!"

Gloria is Ready for her Close-Up

Gloria, one of Liz's chickens, didn't feel she got enough camera time with the Trib. Now she's ready for her close=up. Gloria is a chicken rescued by Red Door and adopted by Liz in 2007.

Urban Chickens, including one from Red Door!

Congratulations to Red Door volunteer Liz Sharp for her stellar interview in today's Chicago Tribune, promoting the beauty and wisdom of urban chickens. You can catch the entire story, including a videdo of Liz in her chicken coop, here:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-city-chickens-15-dec15,0,5400529.story

Santa Baby! Photo Session Dec. 14 Benefits Red Door Animals

This year, get a great holiday photo of your pet! Come to Sit! Boutique on December 14, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. for a photo-with-Santa pet session. All proceeds from the photos benefit the homeless animals at Red Door. Also that day: elves! refreshments! cookies! Sit! Boutique is a great place to buy quality cat and dog food, toys, and pet beds. The boutique is located at 2316 W. Leland, Chicago, in the Lincoln Square neighborhood.

Red Door Dogs Hit Andersonville Streets - Dec. 21st

Look for the Red Door donation dogs on the streets of Andersonville on December 14th. They will be wearing their donation pouches, like Benji here, and looking for any spare bills or coins you can donate for the homeless animals at the shelter. The dogs will be out, starting around 5225 N. Clark Street, around 12 noon.

Ugly Holiday Sweater Party December 6th

Don your most ugly holiday sweater and head over to The Fat Cat Bar & Grill, 4840 N. Broadway, Chicago, on December 6th. The party starts at 7 p.m. Cover price is $30, which gives you all you can drink of beer, wine, well liquor, or soda. A portion of every cover price ($5) goes to the homeless animals at Red Door. Don't miss this fun event! OK, we'll let you in even if you aren't wearing an ugly holiday sweater--but remember: many of us will be wearing horrible holiday cheer!

City of Chicago Chooses Dog City Sticker

Congratulations to the City of Chicago for choosing a dog as the art work for the 2009 city sticker. This sticker, designed by Chicago high school student Denise Ferguson, will appear 1.3 million car windshields in June 2009. Let's hope that's another step in making Chicago a no-kill city for animals.

More Bazaar Fun!

Photos by Meghan Schromen. Thanks, Meghan!

Bazaar Fun!

This year's Bazaar & Toute Sweet Bake Sale was the best! Check out some of the fun. Thanks to everyone who came! And thanks to all the bakers!

Ahoy! Pirate-Themed Spa Day a Huge Success!

Our last Spa Di Dah day was a huge success, thanks to all the rabbits who came to be groomed and then photographed "sailing" the seven seas. Here are only two of the great shiver-my-timbers results.

Take A Chance on Chapa

You can meet Chapa and other adoptable Red Door Animals at the 1st Annual Howl-o-Ween event sponsored by Chicago Area Shelter Alliance. The event will be held on Saturday October 25th from 10am-7pm at Navy Pier.

What's Up, Doc?

The answer is lots! You don't want to miss an exciting thing, so be sure to check out the Events page at www.reddoorshelter.org

October 3rd is the Mars Gallery Opening
October 11th is White Attic adoption event in Andersonville
October 18th is Spa-Di-Dah Day, with a Pirate Theme
October 25th finds Red Door at a gala adoption event at navy Pier

And we will keep adding more fun events, all to help out the homeless animals.

2nd Dog Wash at Whole Foods a Splish-Splash Success

Red Door's second dog wash at Whole Foods Evanston South, 1111 Chicago, Evanston, was a huge, splashy success. We loved all the dogs and they were very well-mannered. Maybe it was that five-minute massage that helped?

Thanks to all our supporters! And a big thanks to Whole Foods.

In Memory of Alice

From a Red Door volunteer, in memory of Alice:
Alice will always be very dear to me. She would greet me every day. I loved kissing her nose, and sitting with her on my lap. She was a charming and gentle bunny, and was adored by everyone. Alice, you came to Red Door to be cherished, and I will miss you dearly, Sweet Girl. Bev

Serving! Red Door Volleyball Team

Thanks to this great crew who represented Red Door at beach volleyball this summer. We know their serves were great and their animal-loving hearts were in the right place.

You're the best!