PAWS 5K

Chicago, IL

Annual PAWS Chicago 5K Walk/Run For Their Lives!

March of 2019, I took initiative to start doing something I knew I was passionate about — I started volunteering at PAWS Chicago to contribute to their No Kill mission. Being that it was an hour's drive for me, I familiarized myself with all of the PAWS locations to see which would work better commute-wise. Being that I was in school, it was really hard to find time to volunteer. When I learned about the events that PAWS held, I knew that would be the best way I could dedicate my time to their mission.

My first event was the event that changed my life — the Annual PAWS Chicago 5K Walk/Run For Their Lives. This event raises funds to support the life-saving work of PAWS Chicago, the midwest's largest No Kill animal shelter. Welcoming more than 7,000 human and 3,300 dog participants annually, we all come together and take steps to save the lives of homeless pets. This year it was held at Montrose Harbor - Grove 16 on June 2, 2019. It was the best day. I was flourishing and smiling from ear to ear because I felt like I had purpose. My station was the pupp-arrazi station. I offered to hold people's bags while they took pictures with their dogs infront of the 5K backdrop, got the pups' attention for the camera, and explained to old people what a GIF was. The girls I met were great. Karly is pictured above in pink and Casey is in the middle. We had fun checking out the neighboring booths together and making our own GIFs despite not having our own furry friends with us.

✽ About PAWS Chicago ✽

The foundation of PAWS No Kill Model is community engagement. By raising awareness about homeless pets and engaging people in these efforts, they make lasting change for animals. PAWS No Kill pillars are necessary in creating a No Kill society. The pillars are:

1. Prevention

2. Adoption

3. Animal Health & Behavior

4. Volunteers

The time that volunteers dedicate to PAWS enables them to continue to expand services and save lives. With animal care and adoptions being so resource-intensive, it would be impossible to fulfill the mission of a No-Kill Chicago without these volunteers. Every one of us makes all the difference.