A frightened kitten with green eyes staring out from a cage

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Before the New Year arrives, REALTORS® to the Rescue will make donations that will aid in the adoption of numerous homeless animals in Chicago, says veteran REALTOR® Debbie Maue, president of the organization.

REALTORS to the Rescue logoLast December, REALTORS® to the Rescue donated $300 each time a dog had been in the Chicago Animal Care & Control facility for more than 45 days or was considered “senior” as these are the most “unadoptable” dogs facing euthanasia. The effort saved 25 dogs and numerous cats at a total cost of $7,500, says Maue, a broker associate at Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty in Chicago.

In addition, REALTORS® to the Rescue will be donating collars and leashes for Chicago Animal Care & Control to give to the prospective pet owners and looking at assisting with the flu vaccine.

“REALTORS® to the Rescue is about assisting the pet rescues and shelters in Chicago. The holidays are the perfect opportunity to help,” says Maue, who adds that various real estate offices in Chicago have collected toys, treats, newspapers and towels to be dropped off at Anti-Cruelty Society. In fact, this can be done anytime by anyone, not just during the holidays.

realtors_give_back_xmas_BLOGREALTORS® to the Rescue was founded by Suzy Thomas, a Chicago REALTOR® in 2005, during the downturn of the economy. She thought REALTORS® could find homes for pets when clients moved and couldn’t take their pets with them or when they would find them in abandoned homes. With the help of many volunteers, the not-for-profit organization has grown to help support shelters and pet rescue organizations. In 2009, the Chicago Association of REALTORS® (CAR) established REALTORS® to the Rescue as a strategic partner and program of CAR, helping the organization expand its reach.

“During the past year, we have raised more than $60,000,” says Maue. “We raised $20,000 at our Second Annual Cubs Outing and at our First Annual Bark Ball last month, we raised more than $40,000. We have given away more than $25,000 this year alone with a goal of more than $75,000 next year.

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“We helped rescue numerous cats and dogs from abandoned buildings when REALTORS® have reached out to us. We assisted with the care of kittens in the Chicago Animal Care and Control’s foster program. We will host our Third Annual Cubs Outing May 14 with an expected attendance of 750 pet lover REALTORS® and our friends as well as a membership drive and various ‘Yappy Hours.’ We are always looking for new members to our team who are passionate and dedicated to working hard to better the lives of animals in need.”

For more information, and to become a member, visit: www.RealtorstotheRescue.org.

(This blog post is one in a series of blog posts about charitable community work performed by local Illinois REALTORS® during the last six weeks of the year. To see all the stories in the series, search for “charitable giving.”)