User:Kmcgow7/sandbox

Introduction
PAWS Chicago is a non-profit animal shelter organization based in Chicago, Illinois. Co-founded in 1997 by mother-and-daughter, Paula and Alexis Fasseas, the duo started the organization to combat the large problems with strays in Chicago. In high school, Alexis volunteered at an animal shelter for community service hours and realized that many of the animals were not being adopted and instead, getting killed. People were giving away their pets to humane societies for many reasons without knowing that they would most likely be killed within the next 24 hours. Paula and her husband decided to educate the public on what was happening within these shelters in order to fix the issue.

History
PAWS Chicago was founded in 1997 by mother and daughter Paula and Alexis Fasseas. They decided to start their own shelter that did not allow the killing of these homeless pets.

On December 1, 2013 Merrick Pet Care and PAWS teamed up. Merrick Pet Care provides food for all of PAWS pets as well as giving each pet that is newly adopted and their owner a supply of food. Merrick Pet Care makes natural and organic food to ensure a healthy lifestyle for pets.

In August 2016, PAWS drove two vans down to Louisiana to rescue animals that may have gotten caught up in the floods from the area. PAWS efforts were focused on pets who were given up by their owners or had already been in local shelters before the flood hit, to make room for the influx of animals from this natural disaster. PAWS partnered with the St. Tammany Parish Humane Society and the Livingston SPCA. PAWS medically treated the animals who were hurt from the flood and after they were cleared, they put them up for adoption.

Awards and Recognition
Awards:

PAWS Chicago has been recognized throughout the community for many years. PAWS received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. Less than 1% of charities evaluated by Charity Navigator have ever received a 4-star rating 15 years in a row, indicating that PAWS Chicago outperforms most other charities in America. Charity Navigator rates a charity's performance by their Financial Health and their Accountability & Transparency. Charity Navigator believes that PAWS will continue to efficiently use the support they receive. In November of 2012, Chicago Magazine named PAWS Chicago as one of their “gold standard charities” under their Guide to Charitable Giving in Chicago. The guide is a means of navigating which charities readers should donate to when considering charitable gifting during the holiday season. The charities were ranked by a group philanthropic consultants, professors, and Charity Navigator, a non-profit website that rates the practicality of non-profit organizations on a four-scale rating. In 2003, the Chicago Sun-Times PAWS Chicago won a Chicago Innovation Award. The award goes out to ten businesses in Chicago that have presented successful business developments and innovative marketing techniques. Out of the 130 companies that submitted for the award, PAWS was chosen and became the first non-profit organization to win this award.

Recognitions:

In 2008, Oprah Winfrey visited PAWS Chicago during the filming of a three-part series she was airing on puppy mills. The feature showcased good living environments and lifesaving work, which ultimately helped PAWS put their name on the map across the country. Each year since 1994, Chicago has honored a handful of people whose actions have changed life for the better. In January 2008, PAWS Chicago founder Paula Fasseas was labeled a Transformer by Chicago magazine and honored as Chicago Magazine’s Chicagoan of the Year.

Events
PAWS Chicago has been throwing an annual 'PAWS Beach Party' to raise money for its organization in hopes of saving more animal lives. Located on North Avenue Beach and set on Castaways yacht, the party offers a chance for pets and their owners to enjoy a day in the sun while raising money for a good cause. The party offers raffles, silent auctions, an open buffet and bar, as well as a doggie buffet and “pawdicures” for the pets.

PAWS hosts another annual event called ‘Fur Ball’. This black-tie event has rescue cats and dogs for adoption. In addition, they have auctions, dancing, and buffets.

Northwestern College in Bridgeview, IL hosted a 5K Run/Walk in September 2018 to benefit PAWS Chicago. Dubbed "PAWS for a Cause", the family-friendly event is open to the public and is designed to bring students, alumni, staff and the Bridgeview/Burbank/Bedford Park communities together to raise funds for helpless animals in need.

PAWS Chicago's 5K Walk/Run was named one of Chicago's Top 100 Events in 2016 and 2017, and Top 10 Athletic Events in 2017 by BizBash. In this event, owners and their pets are allowed to participate in a 5K and choose to either walk or run. In addition to the race, there are also events to follow such as food and games.

The Holiday Adopt-A-Thon is intended to be a get-to-know event before taking an animal home as your own. It is a two-day adopt-a-thon that occurs each holiday season. Usually with other animal shelters, the holiday season is too busy and short-staffed so more animals are likely to be detained which is why PAWS has this event each year.