Relaxing at Home

In a rare moment of repose, we show you Dora the Explorer--now re-named Adelaide--relaxing in her new home. She earned her shelter name easily, by wanting to see everything she possibly could. A weekend in a foster home confirmed she had been aptly named--she took off up a steep staircase without a moment's pause.

But Adelaide is a great name, too. We're fans of Guys and Dolls, too. And this bunny is a doll. Her new mom writes, "She has no fear. If Lucy the cat hisses, she just charges her....Whenever I come home, she runs around the apartment, jumping around in the air doing a binky."

In this photo, Adelaide seems to know that a hearth is the heart of the home, especially when occupied with a beautiful bunny.

Dog Wash Sept. 12 at Whole Foods

Don't miss our dog wash on September 12, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Whole Foods South, 1111 N. Chicago Avenue, Evanston. Wash is $10, or for water-phobic dogs, a brushing and a spritz is $5.

All money goes directly to the animals at Red Door, the no-kill, cageless shelter for dogs, cats, and rabbits.

In Memory of Blanche

We rescued Blanche a year ago in January. She was left outside in the freezing snow and, for awhile, it seemed like touch and go whether the vets could help her recover from her frostbite. Blanche was supposed to be a big white chicken, but she was skinny and pathetic-looking when we first took in. Her feathers were stained and falling out. But we wanted to do what we could to help her.

Chickens like Blanche don't live very long lives--on average, six or seven months. They're bred for their meat, so they gain weight quickly and then their systems give out. So once we had Blanche on the road to recovery, then what? Most of our regular chicken adopters weren't interested in her.

But we found a great chicken-experienced guy named Wade. He was interested in adopting Zsa Zsa, the orange bantam hen who was hit of the shelter. And he agreed to take Blanche, too. That was 18 months ago.

These photos show Blanche and Zsa Zsa in their new home. As you can see Blanche blossomed into a beautiful white chicken, who --acording to Wade--was always the first to greet him at the door of the coop.

She lived a long and happy life with Wade, Zsa Zsa, and several other hens. We always hoped she would beat the odds stacked her against her--and she did. We're happy we got to know her and helped her find her home.

A New Rabbit Rescue--In the Rain, Under a Car

Red Door received a phone call on Sunday that a bunny was hiding under a car during the thunderstorms. When the rains let up, a volunteer drove to Albany Park to help capture the bunny.
Given that her breed, New Zealand, is a meat rabbit, it is likely that she escaped becoming someone's dinner. Bella must have been outside for at least several days, as she had grease down her back, tar and debris stuck to her bottom and was a little thin.
She was brought to Chicago Exotics in Skokie on Monday morning where she received medical treatment and a BIG bath. Bella is so happy to be clean again!!

Dog Wash August 8

Don't miss this Saurday's Dog Wash! It's a benefit for the animals at the shelter. It runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at Whole Foods Evanston South, 1111 Chicago Avenue, Evanston. Wash is $10. And if your dog is phobic about water, you can do a brushing and a scented spritz for $5.

See you there!

Ophelia finds love and a forever home!

In November of 2008, a good Samaritan brought a beautiful lop bunny to Red Door. She had rescued this rabbit from a neighbor who was about to make it Thanksgiving dinner. This poor rabbit was so heartbroken that her family didn't love her, that we decided to name her Ophelia. It soon became apparent that Ophelia was very ill. She spent the next 3 months in isolation battling a severe respiratory infection. With little socialization, we were worried she would come out of isolation a very shy bunny. But Ophelia was healthy, happy and eager to meet new friends when she made her debut. Soon, she had a date with a handsome boy named Pickles, they hit it off and now they live together with the Olson family.

Goliath Gets a Big Send-off to New Home

Goliath is a medium-sized dog with a big heart. He was rescued from someone who could no longer care for him. And he deserved a better life--before he was crated all the time and given little love and attention. Red Door was happy to take in Goliath (we don't know wehre he got that name!) and a wonderful foster family welcomed him into their home. Thanks to your support, our work, and wonderful photographs by Sheri Berliner at petraits.com, Goliath found the home of his dreams.

Here are a few shots of Goliath outside the shelter, both with his foster family and his adopter. Happy New Home, Goliath!

Splish Splash Dog Wash Update

Our dog wash at Central Bark, on Pulaski Avenue in Chicago, was a slip-sliding success! Even the dogs had fun, as you can see.

Thanks, Central Bark, for helping us out! Check out our Events page to find the next dog wash in August.

City of Catterly Love

Red Door took a call a couple of weeks ago from a traditional shelter in Philadelphia, PA about a cat of ours that was surrendered to them. After researching the microchip number, it was confirmed that the cat, Henrietta (renamed Kaya), indeed was adopted from Red Door in 2000. The original adopter surrendered her because they were moving (after they had already moved with her to Philly). Red Door sent out an urgent email to volunteers asking for help to bring Kaya back to Chicago. We only had a few days to work with before the admitting shelter would run out of space. As it turns out, a Red Door volunteer happened to be visiting with her parents in Philadelphia, and with the help of some neighbors who offered to foster Kaya, were able to pull her from the shelter.
The volunteers parents happened to fall in love with Kaya, and wanted to permanently adopt Kaya into their home. From all reports, Kaya is doing great in her new home in Philadelphia. The Red Door animals are lucky to have such great volunteers working for their welfare!

Gimme Shelter! Walk Update -- Raffle Prizes

It was a great 2009 Gimme Shelter! Walk this year. The rain held off and fun was had by all. You can read a detailed report in the upcoming Summer Newsletter.

Not on our mailing list? Send your mailing address to: info@reddoorshelter.org

Thanks to our wonderful donors who contributed great raffle prizes:
Siren Salon, 3143 N. Lincoln, Chicago
Double Door Night Club
Santullo's Pizzeria
Chicago Wolves
Six Flags Great America
Anne Leuck Feldhaus
Belgian Chocolatier Piron
Luxe Salon & Spa
East Bank Club
Theatre Building Chicago
The Fireplace Inn
Shedd Aquarium
Raven Theatre
Rockwell's Neighborhood Grill
Second City
Urban Oasis
Women & Children First Bookstore
Southport Lanes & Billiards
Malia Designs
Carol Schulz Animal Communicator
Roger's Bark Pet Salon

Aaaaaattt Laaaaaasst!

Etta James couldn't have said it any better herself. Long time resident Gabriel was officially adopted on Saturday to his forever home. Gabriel was a favorite of the staff and volunteers at Red Door, and was well known to people in the neighborhood as "that big gray Maine Coon in the window". Gabe was often known as "King Gabriel" for his regal attitude and big furry coat. Not to mention the way he was respected like a king by the other cats in the shelter. Gabriel was adopted and returned an astonishing 3 times, and fostered & returned once. Most people didn't understand Gabriels true nature, and didn't want to give him the time, patience, love, and respect he deserves. His new home offers him that and so much more!

Gabriel's new mom adds:

"He has this new routine when I get up in the middle of the night. He will crawl up me when I get back into bed, and lay partially on my shoulder and pillow and then he'll head butt his forehead against my chin or back by my ear, with his wet nose pressing against my neck, all the while purring very loudly. It sounds kind of wierd when I describe it, but its really quite sweet."

Everyone at Red Door is really happy for Gabriel and his new companion!

Some day my Prince will come

Midge has found her Prince Charming!
This past winter, Red Door received a call that a guinea pig had been found outside. We were delighted to discover that guinea pig was actually a dwarf lion head rabbit! Her unusual looks got lots of attention, but few adopters were ready to deal with her sassy personality. This weekend, a wonderful boy lion head bunny, aptly named Dr. Zaius, came to Red Door for speed dating. It wasn't love at first sight, but mom Nicole decided to take Midge home to see how things would develop. Nicole and Zaius showered Midge with affection and a beautiful new home...a castle for a Princess!

Rabbits Rescued from Kuwait Meat Market at Red Door

Here's the story:

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6811338

Thanks, ABC-TV Channel 7!

Check 5 pm News on ABC-7 Tonight!

Please check the 5 p.m. news on ABC-7 tonight. You'll see a special report on the two rabbits Red Door rescued from Kuwait. Yes, Kuwait. Someone had rescued them there and was willing to fly them to Red Door. The bunnies are safe and sound, and waiting for their big TV moment tonight.

Buttercup the Duck Finds a Home

If you visited the shelter in the past two weeks, you might have met a sweet Pekin duck who was living in the office. We called him Wesley--but "he" turns out to be a girl! And at her new home, her name is Buttercup.

Buttercup was purchased at a county fair and passed around to several different homes--that's a lot for any duck, let alone a young one like Buttercup, who is only 2 to 3 months old. While Buttercup enjoyed the social life in the shelter office, and her trips to a nearby back yard for a little swimming in a baby pool, we know she's very happy at her new home with her new duck friends.

We hear she's fitting in swimmingly [sorry, couldn't resist]. This is the same wonderful duck rescue home that took Rosie, the last Red Door duck who was saved. Thanks to Heather of the Illinois Duck Rescue for helping Buttercup out.

Oprah Show on May 15th!!

OK, animal lovers--the Amazing Animals show with Oprah Winfrey is scheduled for May 15th. Watch for two rescued Red Door rabbits to appear on the show!

Check your local ABC-TV listings if you don't know when The Oprah Winfrey Show comes on. Of course, everyone knows when Oprah is on! In the Chicago area, you can catch her at 9 a.m. and then again at 11.05 p.m.

Thanks to Oprah Winfrey for doing a great show on amazing animals and the human-animal bond, and thanks for including Red Door rabbits. Thanks, too, to Chip and Drake--and their people Julie and Toni--for making the effort to let everyone see how great rabbits are.

Boots adopted!

Boots the cat has been a resident at Red Door since 2003. He was originally found living under someone's front porch. He was extremely shy when he 1st came here, and wouldn't even allow anyone to touch him. Over time Boots warmed up, and he's become a favorite of the Red Door staff and volunteers. Most importantly, he was the gentle giant, and father figure in the kitten room, and was frequently found with his "harem" of cats snuggling with him. Earlier last month Boots was adopted to his new home! Here's what his adopter had to say:
"Boots is doing very well. He was a bit shy the first couple days, but he was eating and exploring right away. He and Kai are now to the point where they are chasing each other around all night! He does like attention when he gets up from naps and loves to be brushed."

As you can see from the picture, he absolutely loves his new friend, and his new home. :)

Hooray for Boots!

Hold That Thought! Oprah Show Postponed

Don't worry about setting your VCR--at least, not for right now. The Oprah Winfrey Show on Amazing Animals, featuring rescued Red Door rabbits, will be scheduled for an upcoming date.

We'll keep you posted.

Watch Red Door Animals on Oprah Winfrey Show May 6th!

Watch Red Door rabbits on The Oprah Winfrey Show airing May 6th on your local ABC-TV station. Thanks, Oprah, for the wonderful show about amazing animals! Thanks, too, for highlighting the wonderful human-animal bond. And thanks, too, for inviting rescued rabbits from Red Door to come see you.

Hooray for Savannah!!

After a year at Red Door, a failed relationship and a few foster homes, Savannah the dwarf is finally bonded and adopted! She met her new husbun, aptly named Bun, last Sunday. Thursday morning I received this message:

"I am very pleased to report that Savannah and Bun are officially
bonded! Things changed this afternoon when they cuddled and
groomed each other! Bun even let Savannah have her way with him.
Her Humpalump (Savvy's stuffed guinea pig toy) seemed to bring
them together. It started with Bun grooming Humpalump, and then
Savannah. Thank you for everything! Both bunnies seem
very happy."

Thank you to all the volunteers who help turn Savvy from a sassy dwarf (is that redundant?) into a sweet princess.