Many of you know how important the Evanston Animal Shelter Association (EASA) is to me. It is so rewarding to watch animals thrive and be able to help families in need. But doing this work has also been transformative for me.  It's been so rewarding to create the amazing friendships that come from working together to accomplish a larger goal.

EASA took over management of the municipal shelter in Evanston in 2015 and transformed the shelter from high-kill to no-kill overnight. Since then I've watched talented and dedicated people take great care of the animals while developing and expanding programs to help community members in all sorts of ways. These are some of the programs that EASA offers to help animals and their families: 

Food Pantry: Our food pantry provides dog food, cat food and cat litter for those who struggle to care for their pets. We also distribute donated collars, harnesses, leashes, beds and other supplies. During the pandemic, the food pantry expanded overnight, and we distributed over 20,000lbs of food.

Custodial Program: Our custodial program takes care of pets for up to six weeks when their families face an extended hospital stay, or a short-term housing crisis resulting from events like domestic violence, foreclosure, or a fire. While the animals are in our care, we bring their shots up to date, provide spay/neuter surgery, and address any medical issues they might have – all free of charge. Over the past four years 48 animals have stayed in our custodial care for a total of 2,195 days. I cared for Tyson and Shadow for two weeks of their custodial stay and watching their reunion with their mom was priceless.

Senior Safety Net Program: This program helps seniors on a fixed income pay for unexpected costs like ear infections, eye infections, or the need for thyroid medication, that can stretch a senior’s budget. The program pays up to $500 per animal per year to cover non-catastrophic illness when the pet owner is 63 years or older.

More Than A Shelter Clinic: This annual clinic provides free rabies vaccinations and microchipping for companion pets.

Forever Foster: This program places senior animals or those with special medical needs into hospice foster homes where they can live out their lives in a loving environment. We cover all medical costs and provide food if necessary while the foster homes provide the love.

A donation of any amount helps!!  Thank you all so much from the bottom of my heart.

Brittany (and Bowie and Boots)

We're back in person for Trot for Tails 2021!

Join us for the 2-mile walk on June 26 at Centennial Park or participate virtually from wherever you are!

Here's how you can support your favorite animal shelter:

1. Register to participate or make a direct donation without registering. Click here for step-by-step registration instructions.
2. Create or join a team and set a fundraising goal.
3. Call, email, text, or pay a visit to your family and friends to ask for donations! Need help with the ask? Click here for talking points!
4. Walk with us on June 26 or walk/run/swim/roller skate from wherever you are!
5. Post photos of your walk on social media using the hashtag #TrotOn.

Have fun. Be safe. Support a great cause. All proceeds go to the Evanston Animal Shelter.