Animal Rehabilitation


The Bruckner Rehabilitation & Treatment Center

Cat Alcove #2Over 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, underage, or behavior-problem animals.

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 additional 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 8 weeks of age). Others come down with 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.
The new 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 two veterinarians and several veterinary technicians, the new clinic will have 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.

By supporting The Virginia Butts Berger Cat Clinic, you will be helping to give so many precious cats and kittens a second chance to live a healthy, happy life with loving families.

 Bruckner Center Alumni

Holly and her PupsHolly came to The Anti-Cruelty Society from a shelter in Missouri shortly before Christmas in 2004. This 4-year-old, 45-lb. sweetie was pregnant when she was admitted and soon, she was surrounded by 10 furry pups which we named for Santa’s eight reindeer, plus Rudolph and Jolly. Holly and her pups remained here in the Bruckner Rehabilitation & Treatment Center, being socialized by our behaviorists and fellow staff. By Valentine’s Day, the pups were cleared for adoption and they all found loving homes, including mom!

Ed the Bruckner Center Alumni Cat! Ed was also transferred to The Anti-Cruelty Society from another shelter. He was sick and unwanted, and was moved to our Bruckner Rehabilitation & Treatment Center because he suffered from an upper respiratory infection. Even though he felt miserable, Ed was a real trooper. As the days went by, he started feeling better and better and his truly endearing personality came out. After a few weeks, he was cleared for adoption and found a loving home!

Holly and Ed's are just a couple of the many success stories to come out of the Bruckner Rehabilitation Center, with many more to follow!