Ever wonder what happens to shelter dogs that are not perfect, are considered too young, too old, too sick or who have special needs?

Traditionally, these animals were automatically euthanized at area shelters. However, today, Chicago Canine Rescue Foundation exists to give many of these animals a second chance, too!

CCRF was founded in 2001 to help find permanent, loving homes for homeless dogs in our city. In just over five years, CCRF has saved the lives of over 1,600 dogs, cats, kittens (yes, we have started helping a few felines each year, too!) and puppies.

CCRF assists the animals that are the MOST vulnerable in our city - the dogs and cats that are slated for euthanasia because they are too old, too young, too injured, have disabilities, or have simply been overlooked for too long by potential adopters at other shelters.


Betsy and Buster (photographed above with their special collars on to prevent them from chewing on their IV lines) were admitted to CCRF because at 5 weeks old and only one pound each, they were too young to survive in a shelter because they were very ill and dying. CCRF hurried to pick them up along with their SEVEN other healthier siblings who were also in danger of contracting disease at such a young, vulnerable age.
Betsy and Buster were immediately brought to an Emergency Veterinary facility where they began receiving the life-saving treatments that they required. The rest of the gang was put into foster care, so that they could be cared for until they were old enough to be adopted out into families. Betsy and Buster, and so many others like them, deserve the second chance that CCRF can provide for them, but only with your help!
Sadly, the costs of caring for dogs and cats, like Betsy and Buster, are sometimes overwhelming. CCRF receives no public funding and is therefore entirely dependent on donations from individuals and businesses who believe that these animals are worth saving, too.

Below are more before and after photos of CCRF Alumni who would not be living today without the intervention and medical care of CCRF. Today, they are ALL beloved family members.

You can make a difference for the animals today!


Please support our efforts by making a monetary or supply donation to CCRF.