Health & Fitness
Lucky Dogs Score Big with “Four Off the Floor” Program
Until now, homeless dogs at Animal Welfare League's have slept on cold, cement floors. But, thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers, the dogs are now a bit more comfy while waiting to be adopted.
Since early December, a group of volunteers have been working diligently on collecting donations to purchase Kuranda Beds for all of the dogs at Animal Welfare League... a program dubbed “Four off the Floor”! These lightweight yet durable beds are unique, cot-style dog beds that are soft and comfortable and help to keep dogs “Off the Floor”. They are easy to keep clean, odor free and, most importantly, CHEW-FREE! A total of just under 250 beds are needed to fully accommodate all of the homeless dogs at the AWL.
Since the start of the campaign, the volunteers have collected enough funding and found dozens of donors to furnish 33 beds. On September 19th, an additional 53 beds were installed into the remaining kennels in what the shelter calls “Main Adoption”. These 53 beds for this room alone, came from a very generous donor living in Las Vegas who heard about the program and really wanted to make a difference in the dogs lives.
AWL's dedicated volunteers, along with firefighters from Chicago Fire Department, Engine #123, were on hand for the big install on September 19th. Chicago’s bravest have been instrumental in helping to assemble and deliver the beds as they were donated. The firefighters at Chicago Engine House #123 wanted to help the shelter in some way since earlier this summer when their firehouse dog, Hogan, went missing for over a month. Shelter staff and volunteers recognized the pup after she was brought to the shelter as a stray and happily reunited them.
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The shelter is still hoping to raise additional funds to be able to provide a bed to all the dogs in their care. They still need over 150 beds to complete the mission! Financial donations for the “Four Off the Floor” program are accepted via mail, phone and internet. Those interested can also go directly to the Kuranda Bed Website, select “Donate a Bed”, select “Animal Welfare League of Chicago Ridge” and they can purchase the bed online which will then be sent directly to the shelter.
