Old Dogs Need New Digs

Animal Welfare League touts advantages of mature dogs.

There is plenty of yapping, barking, meowing and an occasional chirp, all sounds destined to draw pet lovers to the Animal Welfare League in Chicago Ridge. Now there is another reason to visit the shelter, a special on older dogs and on dogs who have already been neutered or spayed. Cats haven’t been forgotten. Cats over the age of three will be adopted out for half of the normal fee. There’s a variety of breeds of older dogs available like West, the seven-year-old chihuahua-mix who came from an overcrowded shelter, or Tracer, the 11-year- old beagle who was left behind by his family. How about Fiona, a 10-year-old miniature Pinscher who loves to cuddle. There are advantages to owning a senior dog, said Cory Berndt, the marketing and …

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Dog Lovers Team Up for National Dog Day

National Dog Day is Aug. 26. What will you do to celebrate man's best friend?

Aug. 26 is National Dog Day. That's the day animal advocate Colleen Paige has designated for honoring all those dogs who bring in the paper, and all those dogs who are neglected. And who better to celebrate with than the Animal Welfare League of Chicago Ridge. The league finds forever homes for hundreds of homeless dogs, cats, bunnies, birds and any other animal species that lands on its doorstep. A raid on an animal shelter? Dog-fighting in the south suburbs? Chances are if there is an animal abuse story in the news, those animals are taken to the Animal Welfare League for rehabilitation, tender loving care and ultimately adoption. The shelter cares for 18,000 animals, and reunites 1,500 lost pets with their owners annully. The league …

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Lorraine Swanson

5:23 pm on Sunday, August 26, 2012

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Cops Investigate Possible Animal Cruelty

Neighbor reports dog howling inside garage for hours, police say.

A neighbor called Oak Lawn police to report a dog in distress at a house on the 9200 block of South Major Avenue. Police met with the neighbor around 1 p.m. on May 21 and were told that a dog had been howling inside the garage for hours. The neighbor was concerned that two dogs—a pit bull and mastiff—were being abused. The homeowner wasn’t home, but police did locate the mastiff, Bella, in the garage. The dog appeared to be in distress and there was no food or water, police said. Police decided to remove Bella from the garage. According to reports, there was little space for the dog to move around because of jet skis, a bike and a car parked inside the garage. The mastiff appeared emaciated and was defensive when police removed her from …

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Adopt Me

This Week's Pet: Brewster

Every week Patch highlights animals available for adoption at local shelters.

Brewster is an eight-month-old cat that has been living in a shelter for the last three months. Brewster's owners had to give him up after they could no longer care for him. The black and white cat loves to cuddle and would make a great addition to any family. You can find Brewster and many other loving pets at the Animal Welfare League in Chicago Ridge.

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Adopt Me

This Week's Pet: Reese

Reese is a sweet, mellow calico kitty looking for a forever home.

Meet Reese, a gorgeous year-and-a-half-old calico cat now available for adoption at the Animal Welfare League in Chicago Ridge. Reese's friends at the Animal Welfare League say she is a sweet, mellow cat who is looking for a couch to cuddle up on in a forever home. Reese's owners had to give her up because of a family member's allergies. If you're interested in adopting Reese or one of the many other pets available for adoption, contact the Animal Welfare League in Chicago Ridge at 708-636-8586 or visit the organization's website. Adoption fees for cats are $73 and include spaying/neutering, vaccinations, a pet chip and cat carrier.

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Adopt Me

This Week's Pet: Beef

Where's the Beef? He's at the Animal Welfare League in Chicago Ridge, and he's waiting for his forever home.

Meet Beef, a 5-year-old, male boxer who was brought into the Animal Welfare League as a stray on Dec. 31. Beef is a big boy. He'd do well in a home with a large yard where he can romp and play. Beef has a lot of energy. He's well socialized, and gets along well with other dogs and children. Sometimes Beef can be a little exuberant, so he'd do well in a home with children age 10 or older. (He might knock down smaller kids because he's so playful and doesn't know his own strength.) Beef is also a blood donor. He's saved at least one life since he came to the Animal Welfare League. He's microchipped and up to date on all his shots. Beef was running around so much he didn't stop playing long enough for us to see if he was neutered. If he's not…

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Adopt Me

This Week's Pet: Punky

Five-year-old dog seeking a forever home.

Meet Punky, a five-year-old West Highland Terrier mix looking for a place to live. Punky is an active pooch who loves to play. He came into the Animal Welfare League of Chicago Ridge three months ago as a stray. Volunteers said Punky is sweet and easy to get along with. He is up-to-date on his shots, partially trained and microchipped, but will be neutered before adoption.   Adopt Me is a weekly video feature highlighting one of the pets available for adoption at the Animal Welfare League of Chicago Ridge. To find out more about any of these pets, call the shelter at 708-636-8586 or visit www.animalwelfareleague.com

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Adopt Me

This Week's Pet: Onyx

Four-year-old cat Onyx is looking for a home.

Meet Onyx, a four-year-old domestic shorthair cat who's looking for a place to live. She has short, black fur and a long tail. Onyx has been at the Animal Welfare League of Chicago Ridge since the end of October. She came in as a stray with an infected back leg that eventually had to be amputated. "She's a trooper," said a volunteer. Onyx gets a little nervous around other animals, but loves cuddling and walking on the shoulders of humans. She is up-to-date on her shots, microchipped, but will be spayed before adoption.   Adopt Me is a weekly video feature highlighting one of the pets available for adoption at the Animal Welfare League of Chicago Ridge. To find out more about any of these pets, call the shelter at 708-636-8586 or visit www…

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