In the wake of this week's blizzard, a number of family pets have been lost around the city. But a German Shepherd that broke loose during the storm in Chicago Heights has been rescued by volunteers at the South Suburban Humane Society. more ›

State Senator Bill Brady, still a contender for the GOP nomination for Illinois Governor, is backing off a plan to authorize the mass killing of stray animals in shelters that he introduced earlier this month, just days after the primary election. Brady, from Bloomington, sponsored the legislation which would allow animal control facilities to kill more than one animal at once in a carbon monoxide chamber. more ›

The Red Cross announced its campaign yesterday, promoting pet safety in the event of disasters or extreme weather. Along with the Humane Society of the United States, the Red Cross is urging people with pets to be prepared for emergencies and disasters. more ›

The Wisconsin Humane Society had a near-record number of adoptions over the weekend, following its announcement that the animal welfare organization had purchased and closed down the Puppy Haven Kennel in Markesan, WI, rescuing over 1,000 puppies. "We're confident we can provide these animals with a loving family for the rest of their lives," says Jill DeGrave, Education Director of the Wisconsin Humane Society. more ›

The University of Chicago and the Humane Society released a new study on the causes of urban dog fighting earlier this week. The study was conducted by interviewing current and former dogfighters in Chicago, focusing on why young men and boys in the city get into the illegal practice. more ›

More bad news for and from the Sun-Times: business editor Dan Miller, a 2006 inductee into the Chicago Journalism Hall of Fame, resigned today as seven non-union employees were laid off, including editorial board members Michelle Stevens, Lloyd Sachs and Michael Gillis, and Assistant Managing Editor Avis Weathersbee. Miller wrote in an email that he thinks the Sun-Times will be sold in a matter of months. [Crain's, Trib] more ›

Todd Stroger, today is not your day. The panel he appointed to analyze Cook County healthcare announced today that an independent board should take over because the County has so royally fucked it up. Oh, and his tax plan ain't so hot either; the $4 per phone line is actually illegal. Two people were arrested for stealing vases from Chapel Hill Cemetery in Oakbrook Terrace. Loehmanns! On State Street! The old lady in all... more ›

In a truly gruesome story, 153 cats, 97 dogs and 30 birds were rescued from a house in Rochelle, Ill. (about 80 miles west of here) this weekend. Today, Lee County State's Attorney Paul Whitcombe announced that the house also contained about 200 carcasses. Whitcombe told the Trib, "a lot [of the carcasses] had deteriorated to the point where it was hard to tell whether you were looking at two, three, four or 10." Uh,... more ›

A new ruling from the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals may finally put an end to the Cavel horsemeat slaughter saga that has been on our radar for some time. On Friday, the court upheld the Illinois Horse Meat Act, effectively shutting down the DeKalb County-based slaughterhouse. The ever-prolific Richard Posner penned the 15-page opinion. In his trademark witty style, he writes, But even if no horses live longer as a result of the... more ›

Phil Vettel, in a post late yesterday to the Tribune's "Stew" blog, wrote about how restaurants around the area are joining in on a boycott of Canadian seafood to protest that nation's ongoing annual seal hunt. The boycotts range from simply not offering Canadian snow crab - many crab fisheries are also involved in the seal hunt - to not buying seafood from a specific region or not buying any Canadian seafood. The boycott, sponsored... more ›

Easter’s coming up faster than we realize, as always. While we’re looking forward to the meager excuse for shoving our faces full of all things Cadbury, we regret that we never took part in one of the cornerstones of the holiday. No, it’s not welcoming Jesus back from the dead; it’s the classic hunt for Easter eggs. We figure since we’re all growns up, we missed out on the chance to get in on the... more ›

Don't tell Pamela Anderson — the Humane Society of America has uncovered a fashion conspiracy involving dog fur peddled as faux fur. more ›

A couple of years ago, Alderman Gene Schulter of the 47th ward (and Chairman of the License Committee) was made aware of some scummy kennel operators in his area and was disgusted by what he found going on at their operations (e.g., dogs without food and water). He headed up a task force of sorts to ensure that kennels, grooming and other dog day care facilities would be held to some sort of standard in... more ›

Chicagoist knows you’ve been thinking long and hard about what to get your special sweetheart for Valentine’s Day… perhaps a dozen fuzzy red roses, tipped with the fur of a white fox? Or maybe a heart-shaped box of beaver pelt-filled chocolate delights? Oh, how about a romantic candlelight dinner and a bottle of mink? more ›

The urban bunny is on the rise, according to “anecdotal evidence” and the Sun-Times. One homeowner estimated a 25 percent increase, although it is not clear how he arrived at this estimate. more ›