Oak Forest Animal Clinic Comes to Rescue of Canine Haven

A petitioner seeking to move a medical marijuana dispensary into building space at 157th and Cicero Avenue recently found themselves barking up the wrong tree.

Dog daycare and boarding facility 4 Paws Playhouse has been a tenant at 15711 S. Cicero Ave. for six years, and when its owner decided to make an offer to purchase the property, he found himself bidding against the petitioner.

But 4 Paws supporters weren’t about to let their pooches’ playplace be chased out of town.

“When you combine medical marijuana and animals, those are two topics that people care about and will speak up about,” said owner Dave King.

As word spread of a planned public hearing on the topic, local animal lovers teamed up, calling the city and voicing concern on behalf of the business. King was distraught that the 500-plus furry clients would no longer have his place to call a home away from home.

“He was pretty devastated,” said Dr. Craig Welbourne, of neighboring business Oak Forest Animal Clinic. “They bought that business, and had been building on it, with nowhere to go.”

Welbourne couldn’t let his neighbor lose their cherished home in the community. He decided to buy the building and lease the space to 4 Paws.

“We just didn’t feel comfortable the way they kicked ‘em out like that,” Welbourne said. “That was our feeling about it. It’s an existing business, they’re doing a fine job. Patients and clients take their pets over there, said they do a great job. It’s the best for everyone involved.”

King couldn’t believe it.

“It’s a great story of one small business helping another,” he said.

The offer has been accepted, with just the final paperwork to complete, Welbourne said.

“I’m unbelievably relieved,” King said. “The support was overwhelming. I’m just happy that my staff, my customers and I are going to be able to continue and people rely on 4 Paws for boarding and other needs.”