#121 in United States, #3 in Illinois, #3 in Chicago
4927 Main Street, Skokie, IL
Service areas:
Chicagoland, Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette
"We adopted our pup from CARE and feel so lucky. He was found on the streets of Chicago weighing in at 6 pounds and near death. He was transferred to CARE who had him shaved because he was so matted and nurtured up to 10 pounds. After being fixed and chipped we were lucky enough to be allowed to adopt him. Pickles (CARE name Homer) is now a healthy 15 pounds and the joy of our lives."
— gerald b.
Adoptee
"Community Animal Rescue Effort is an excellent shelter. We got our dog from them 2 years ago and I have been volunteering there for 3 years. They take excellent care of the dogs & cats there and the shelter is very clean. They are a great organization!"
— dee t.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"C.A.R.E puts animals well being first. All dogs and cats receive loving care from volunteers and staff. If I wanted to adopt a pet, I’d always consider C.A.R.E. first."
— marjorie g.
Volunteer / foster
"The staff here truly care about the animals and ensure safety for all the volunteers. They are knowledgeable, kind and compassionate. I enjoy volunteering and I appreciate everything I’ve learned from the other staff and volunteers."
— pooja n.
Volunteer / foster
"CARE is a great place to volunteer and for the pups! They care and love on them all until they find their forever home. They are so thoughtful and care for each dog as an individual."
— jenna r.
Volunteer / foster
"I was lost. I hit my Lowest level and realized I wasn't myself. I quit every job, I had. A relative told me to fill out their volunteer application and see what happens. I was assigned the dog side (big and strong dog walker). It was only 3 hours a day but since I Had so much time on my hands, I kept going, they welcomed me on every shift and only turned me away when the pandemic happened. Luckily...all the dogs were adopted or found a foster family, no dog was left behind. Weeks go by and suddenly I received a text from the kennel manager telling me to come back and wear a mask... By now... I had learned from others: -breeds -behaviors -appropriate play behavior -how to walk And so much more. I had a goal to adopt my first dog by my 36th birthday. I continued to volunteer and do some research on what type of dogs are best suited for apartment living.... Then in August 2020, a wonderful looking dog arrived in a kennel. All I knew was he was an owner surrender to the pound. He was so cute. Talked with the manager and family about it. I stopped volunteering for a week. I came back and to my surprise He wasn't adopted yet. So, I filled out the adoption application and met with the counselor and He had the BIGGEST smile on his face when we took the picture. We're best friends!"
— brian k.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"The volunteers and staff at CARE are the best. They have such dedication to rescuing animals and finding them forever homes. I am proud to be one of their supporters."
— sue m.
Supporter
"Caring, responsible, safe haven"
— debbie h.
Adoptee
"They really focus on enrichment for the dogs. We always try to 1:1 volunteer to dog ratio so dogs get a lot of time out of kennels"
— vanessa b.
Volunteer / foster
"I have been fostering for CARE for several years. They are the best. They truly care about each and every animal and as a foster I always feel I have the best support."
— carla p.
Volunteer / foster
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs. As one of the most popular types of retrievers, Labs are ideal companions for various lifestyles and are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an excellent breed for families.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a popular breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s. Today, they're recognized by the Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club (AKC) as one of the most beloved companion dog breeds.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a distinct breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Often confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a separate breed of British origin, the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) is considered a medium-sized dog. While both breeds share some similarities, the AmStaff is generally larger and has been developed as a distinct breed in the United States.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, an AKC breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd is actually a native breed to the United States, originally developed to breed on farms and ranches. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were bred for herding beginning in the 1950s. As one of the high-energy breeds, Aussies are known for their boundless energy and need for regular exercise, including aerobic exercise.