Our Mission
As a licensed 501(c)(3), no-kill animal shelter, Felines & Canines is dedicated to providing a safe and loving shelter to abandoned, injured, abused and neglected animals until their permanent adoptive home is found. We strengthen the human/animal relationship through counseling, education, and compassion.
Our Values
*To assist in ending the euthanasia of adoptable cats and dogs through rescue, rehoming, education, and spay/neuter efforts.
*To provide exemplary medical and emotional care, in addition to the warmest, most home-like environment possible to the animals in our care.
*To offer an outstanding adoption experience, with emphasis placed on human / companion animal matchmaking, education, and respect – never judgment.
*To embrace and promote the idea of “forever family.” Once an animal has joined the Felines & Canines family, we make a lifetime commitment to care for that animal. When an animal has been adopted, we promise to be an accessible, supportive resource to that family forever.
*To never become complacent. The needs of animals and the community are constantly evolving and changing; therefore it is our responsibility to do so, as well. We will never settle for good – we strive for greatness.
Our History
Founded in 1977 as one of Chicago’s first cage-less, no-kill cat shelters, Felines & Canines operated as Felines Inc. for more than 30 years. Located in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood, Felines Inc. provided exceptional housing and care for more than 200 feline residents, with a focus on “special needs” animals.
In 2002, under the leadership of Executive Director, Abby Smith, Felines Inc. blossomed from a relatively unknown, sanctuary-style rescue, into a bustling adoption center.
Between 2002-2012, Felines Inc.’s adoption numbers increased by nearly 1000% (from 49 adoptions in 2002 to almost 400 adoptions in 2012.)
In 2012, after evaluating the needs of both the animal welfare and local community, Felines Inc. expanded both the facility and program to become Felines & Canines, a cage-less, no-kill cat and dog shelter.
Between 2012-2018, Felines & Canines adoption number increased from approximately 400 adoptions annually to 1,900 adoptions on an annual basis!
In 2018, Felines & Canines expanded once again to develop, construct and begin operations in June 2018 of Felines & Canines "The Hunter Stephenson Rescue Center" in Northern Alabama. Our high-volume rescue and relocation facility is the very first of it's kind in our nation and is on-track to save an additional 4,000 dogs and cats on an annual basis!
