Chicago Area Cats And Dogs Up For Adoption (12/16) (PHOTOS)

This week has been a rough one in Chicago when it comes to stories of animal abuse and neglect in the metropolitan area. One Chicago dog owner abandoned her long-time pet in the city streets because she said her new apartment would not allow for pets. The dog wound up being beaten bloody by neighborhood children. Another local dog owner was charged with animal cruelty after he allegedly dumped a pot of boiling water on his pet, severely burning it.

These sorts of stories, though extreme, are not altogether rare. Throughout the city, many cats and dogs endure abusive households. The lucky ones in those situations make it to an area animal shelter. The luckiest ones end up with a new, loving, warm home they can call their own. This week, we're featuring a new group of Chicago-area homeless cats and dogs who are available for adoption.

We also, thankfully, have several adoption success stories to report, though many more pets we've previously featured are still waiting to be taken home -- be sure to visit past weeks' features below the photo gallery.

Photos appear courtesy of the Naperville Area Humane Society, Felines Inc. and Famous Fido Rescue and Adoption Alliance. To our knowledge, all animals are spayed or neutered, microchipped and up-to-date with their tests and vaccinations.

If you have an adoption shelter success story you would like to share, please send a note (and a picture) to [e-mail] and we will be sure to feature your pet's tail, er, tale.

Comments

[beardown]

06:21 AM on 12/20/2011

Hope they all find homes!

[martigras]

08:42 PM on 12/17/2011

Thanks HuffPo for doing this. There are two many great animals spending Christmas in shelters.

[juddydi]

11:19 AM on 12/17/2011

Thank you for highlighting these deserving animals. I volunteer for an animal rescue group where I live. Do whatever you can -- it you can only give a little, do that. It is ALL appreciated.

[aralpharetta]

08:16 AM on 12/17/2011

MY GRACIOUS PAMPERED PETS

[rbarry647]

02:25 AM on 12/17/2011

I think it is time to replace my old kitty Tara who passed away last spring - I will see if I can rescue a special kitty after I return from my holiday travels.

[unionave]

08:28 PM on 12/16/2011

We also have millions of homeless people . You know . Human beings . Cruelty to animals is extremely mean but what our government did , during the GWB administration , to millions of Americans is beyond imagination . And to make matters worst members of our government are perpetuating the conditions blatantly for political reasons . What we need are more people that can afford to care for the animals . But to get that we need a government that puts people before politics .

[Pinkasaurus]

10:52 PM on 12/16/2011

We can care about animals AND human beings at the same time. I agree with you that the government is doing a crappy job of looking out for its citizens, but I don't think that negates the fact that there are abused and neglected animals who need help. I personally like that HuffPost does this feature. I wish I could adopt more animals, but our landlord limits us to one.

[unionave]

11:58 PM on 12/16/2011

f/f ! It is going to take more people with insight like you to move things in the correct direction .

[sjcarl]

06:53 PM on 12/16/2011

There's no place like home for the holidays. And I hope they will all find their forever homes.

[Kaleidoscope1]

06:39 PM on 12/16/2011

Adorable kitties! I hope they all find a new home soon.