Animal Rehabilitation


The Bruckner Rehabilitation & Treatment Center

Over 2,000 puppies and kittens, cats and dogs have gotten a new lease on life since The Anti-Cruelty Society opened its 1,200 square foot Bruckner Rehabilitation & Treatment Center in the fall of 2004. The Bruckner Rehabilitation & Treatment Center provides space for approximately 140 sick, injured, or underaged animals or those with behavioral issues.

A generous gift from Charlotte Schmitt, a long-time board member, provided leadership funds for the project. The Center was named in memory of her late father, William Bruckner. “During the 1930’s, my father was the number one banker in Chicago,” commented Mrs. Schmitt. "He helped Mr. Wrigley and many other prominent families survive the depression. I hope that this Center keeps his memory alive while helping the animals that he loved.”


The Center tackles a significant challenge faced by many shelters: finding the space and medical resources to care for ill but treatable animals. Many of the animals that come through The Society's doors have illnesses that are treatable, such as kennel cough in dogs and upper respiratory infections in cats. These diseases are highly contagious but curable with the tincture of time and good medical care. The Society's goal was to create a space where these animals can be treated and ultimately adopted into loving homes.

The Bruckner Rehabilitation & Treatment Center has four discrete wards, each containing between thirty and thirty five recuperation spaces. An adjacent examination and treatment space facilitates on-site care by one of the six veterinarians together with their veterinary assistants.

 

The Virginia Butts Berger Cat Clinic

The Virginia Butts Berger Cat ClinicMany of the cats and kittens that come to us are sick, injured or are simply too young for adoption (they must be weaned). Others contract illnesses brought on by stress or through contact with a contagious animal. The Virginia Butts Berger Cat Clinic will provide significant expansion of our existing rehabilitation and treatment space.

This clinic is named in memory of a caring and compassionate woman who loved animals and recognized The Anti-Cruelty Society’s commitment to caring for them. Three wards containing stainless steel kennels will house up to 150 cats and kittens at a time. Staffed by our veterinarians and veterinary assistants, the  clinic has its own examination area and a germ-free environment.

Of the thousands of animals that we receive each year; more than 60% are cats and kittens. The new cat clinic is a continuation of our commitment to saving lives and finding a home for every adoptable and treatable animal in Chicago.

 Rehabilitation Center Alumni

Harper
Harper, previously known as Jade, came to the Anti-Cruelty Society in pretty bad shape. A wonderful community member found her severely injured after being hit by a car and brought her to The Anti-Cruelty Society because they knew the organization would save her life. She had a broken leg and had ruptured her bladder. Standard policy is to send all stray animals to Chicago's Animal Care & Control for the mandatory 5 day hold to allow the owners time to find them, but because Harper needed crucial veterinary treatment and time to heal before she could be adopted, she stayed at the Society and was treated for her injuries.

After surgery to repair her leg and bladder, The Anti-Cruelty Society soon found a foster family to take care of the dog in a home environment where she would have the love and attention of a family to help her through her recovery. Her foster family loved her so much they decided to adopt her.

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Angel
Angel was about 5 weeks old when she was found near the wheel-well of a caring woman's car. The woman brought the tiny cat to The Anti-Cruelty Society where she knew the cat would receive good care. The kitten needed special care for a wound, fluids to nourish her tiny body, and time to heal. Our veterinarians took care of her and our Shelter Director fostered her for a few months until she was well enough for adoption. The lovely woman that brought her to us found a great family that was happy to give little Angel a loving home. Angel now lives with an 8 year old girl who couldn't love her more!

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