Safe Humane Chicago

We absolutely loved our visit from Maria Saucedo Magnet School! Students in their Adventures in Dreambuilding after-school program are wrapping up their work on a service project to educate their school community on the needs of animals. Last week, some of them visited Chicago Animal Care and Control with their families to learn more about their community shelter and spend some hands-on quality time with the dogs and cats of CACC. What an inspiration to see young leaders already making an impact. Thank you!

We are privileged to partner with Chicago Animal Care and Control to offer group volunteer opportunities that bring community members into the shelter for hands-on service and experience. These visiting groups have an immediate impact and help over the longer-term to build and sustain a network of awareness and support for Chicago's animals at CACC.

And they come ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work! Thank you to Harris and Harris and ComEd for helping us this past week to get our outdoor spaces ready for the season!

Sunday’s Friends and Family IKE Day at Chicago Animal Care and Control marked one year since we began organizing these events, and we want to sincerely thank all the amazing CACC volunteers and their guests who have made these days so special. As volunteer Anjan says, “It’s hard to put into words what it feels like to volunteer here, so it was meaningful to be able to show it in person to my partner.”

These events offer an opportunity for teams of volunteers and their guests of all ages to work together, providing meaningful engagement, in-kennel enrichment (IKE) and some hands-on time with animals. The camaraderie, shared commitment and purpose on display at these events is truly heartwarming and inspiring.

Volunteer Meaghan’s mom, Sandy, shared that she was “happy to be able to give them a few moments of attention and diversion, and I have a deep appreciation for all the wonderful volunteers who devote their time to give some much needed love and care.” Her daughter Avery confirmed: “The dogs were all so sweet and adorable, and Waterford was the best snuggle bug!” Anjan’s wife, Rukmani, told us, "Meeting Geno and Tarzan was amazing! I was a little nervous at first (and so were they), but they just wanted treats and pets." And volunteer Lisa's six-year-old niece (and Friends and Family regular), Scarlett, summed it up: "That was so fun! I love all those dogs."

Same, Scarlett. Same.

ComEd volunteers truly do just about everything a volunteer can do during their visits to Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC) with Safe Humane Chicago—and they do it with much joy, as you can see in these photos.

On Friday, they spread straw, set up sunshades, built Kuranda beds, prepared and distributed in-kennel enrichment in the pavilions, and even spent time playing with a few dogs, among many other tasks. Volunteer Kerri shared, “Every time I work with Josey’s ComEd group, I am exhausted afterwards--in the best way. I got 10k+ steps with them in those three hours. They’re amazing.” Their impact is immediate. Volunteer Lisa mentioned that while walking dogs that evening, “the straw on the ground is absolutely amazing.”

And they don't just do it once. ComEd dedicates time and resources to serve at CACC every single month. Grateful doesn't even begin to cover it. Thank you, ComEd!

When Mamadou Diakhate was promoted from Shelter Manager at Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC) to Operations Manager in 2012, he became an effective and compassionate City liaison for animal abuse cases and the Safe Humane Chicago Court Advocacy program. He had already shown himself to be a dedicated advocate for the Court Case Dogs. His commitment continued when he became CACC Executive Director and at Cook County Rabies and Animal Control. Without soon running out of material, we could post daily gratitude for his tireless efforts and unwavering dedication to CACC, Safe Humane Chicago, and Chicagoland animals and their people. We wish we had more photos of this iconic man. He is a vital part of our legacy. We miss him. Rest in peace, power, and love, Mamadou!

Thank you Live Like Roo Foundation & Bosly's Backyard for celebrating and supporting Baby Grand our 1,000 court case dog 🧡

Two Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC) volunteers who we are proud to say are also Safe Humane Chicago volunteers will each receive the Humane World for Animals (HWA, formerly HSUS) Trailblazer in Animal Welfare Award at the 2026 Animal Care Expo in Pittsburgh this April. Congratulations, Ed Wang and Imri L. Brown! Well deserved! The Trailblazer in Animal Welfare Award recognizes the unsung heroes in animal protection who are breaking barriers and forging new paths toward a more equitable and inclusive animal protection movement. Trailblazer in Animal Welfare Award recipients are animal welfare professionals and advocates who represent, work in partnership with and serve historically marginalized and underserved communities to provide equitable access to animal care support services.

Please join us in congratulating Ed and Imri AND helping them continue their impactful work in our city. We are delighted that CACC and Safe Humane volunteers are getting nationwide recognition.

We are honored to partner with Embarc Chicago to help provide impactful experiential learning for Chicago students. Over the past year, we have had the pleasure of working with several schools as they visit Chicago Animal Care and Control. The students engage with sheltered animals, providing care and enrichment while gaining first-hand insight into the operations of their public shelter and learning more about the needs of communities and the animals within.

Thank you, Embarc, for connecting us with Chicago Tech Academy High School, Tilden High School, Chicago Academy High School, Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy, Michele Clark Academic Prep Magnet High School and James H. Bowen High School.

We look forward to our continued partnership.

We are so fortunate to work with such a wonderful network of corporate and community partners who choose to devote their valuable time and resources to a day of service at Chicago Animal Care and Control.

We are so grateful to Revantage, who joined us last week and provided much-appreciated attention, care and enrichment to the dogs of CACC. Thank you, Revantage...we can't wait to see you again!

Featuring:
Happy-go-lucky, playful Draven hamming it up with the group (inexplicably, CACC's longest stay dog)

And Patchwork, working the whole circle of new friends
Patchwork needs a rescue due to likely ortho/medical needs.

Safe Humane took a trip to Maria Saucedo Magnet School yesterday to visit with students in their “Adventures in Dreambuilding” after-school program. One of the goals of their group is to complete a service learning project, and they chose helping animals as their theme.

We talked about ways to interact with dogs in order to help both humans and canines remain safe and comfortable. Trainer Daphy Snafu's dog, Riot, was a perfect helper and quite a hit with the kids! We also discussed the needs of sheltered animals, particularly those at their local shelter, Chicago Animal Care and Control.

To say that these kids, ages 6-11, were prepared and engaged is an understatement. We were blown away by their thoughtfulness, knowledge and compassion. With these impressive young minds at work, we are eager to see what impactful project they come up with and we hope to see them for a visit to CACC soon!

Thank you DoorDash for your recent day of service with Safe Humane at Chicago Animal Care and Control! Your generosity, hard work, enthusiasm and engagement truly made an impact! Because of your time and efforts, many dogs and cats were able to enjoy supplemental enrichment, care and attention that is so very needed and appreciated. We are delighted to work with amazing partners like you while helping to grow the network of awareness and support for Chicago's animals at CACC.

Featuring: ADOPTABLE DOG, DRAVEN (intake date 12/23), who was happy to show off his sweetness and skills!

From unimaginable cruelty to a life filled with love:
Rocky was just 6 months old when he was found malnourished, severely abused, with broken hips, broken legs, and untreated past injuries. Named for the location where he was discovered by a neighborhood dog and owner in a Chicago park, his future looked uncertain.

But today Rocky is thriving. Thanks to exceptional after-care from foster parents who also adopted him, he has been recovering and is now living the life every dog deserves—safe, healthy (though understandably he walks stiffly, says his mom), and deeply loved.

Justice, however, is still in progress.
The felony cruelty case against Rocky’s abuser is still ongoing in Cook County Criminal Court, and Safe Humane Court Advocates are following it. At a December hearing, one of our longtime advocates met Rocky’s adopter in court. This encounter captures why this work matters so much.

“It was so good to see an owner come to court seeking justice for their dog. And to know that a dog who was emaciated, with broken hips and legs, is now doing so well in a loving home.”

They’ll meet again at the next hearing this month. Stories like Rocky’s are not uncommon in the 25 years Safe Humane has provided court advocacy for abused and traumatized animals (including our Court Case Dogs), but each one is profoundly meaningful.

Court Advocacy is impactful because of dedicated volunteers and professionals. But these cases still need funds for sponsorships, training, vet care, supplies, and even court costs (including necropsies when necessary).

You can help ensure that justice and healing continue by donating here: https://www.safehumanechicago.org/donate Every contribution supports animals like Rocky and the people who stand up for them when they cannot do so themselves.
To learn more about Safe Humane Court Advocacy, email [email protected].