Welcome to Chicago Alliance for Animals
We believe every animal deserves dignity, protection, companionship, and freedom from harm, including intense confinement — and we work every day to make that a reality and create lasting change for animals across Chicagoland and beyond.
Who We Stand For
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The "exotic pet trade"
Spur, and Thousands of Wild Animals
A giant African Sulcata Tortoise, named Spur, has languished at The Animal Store, in Lincolnwood, Illinois, for more than 35 years.
Advocates have observed and recorded her countless attempts to escape each day. Along with traffic, light, and noise pollution. The store is on Touhy Ave. and Lincoln, right off 94.
In the wild, those of her species enjoy digging and burrowing yards underground, yet Spur is being inhumanely kept on hard tile floor, unable to express basic natural behaviors. If Spur had sand or soil, she would surely escape.
In nature, sulcata tortoises are meant to travel vast landscapes– miles each day.
Spur, on the other hand, is only allowed to take a couple of steps in either direction, try to climb out, fall, and repeat again. Spur is trying to signal something. She wants out!
Those who profit off her continued confinement, such as exotic vets in the area, say sulcata tortoises only need a space at least 4x their carapace length to survive. But survival is not the same as enrichment.
The little bit of hay in her hard empty prison is all Spur has. She has absolutely nothing natural to her life. Spur has been unfairly confined to a 3'x5' cell for more 3 decades.
You can urge Lincolnwood officials to simply enforce – rather than waive – the law that prohibits the keeping and sale of wild animals.
Shelters Full; Rabbit Dumping Continues
Rabbits are being bred and sold out of Lincolnwood. Often marketed as Easter gifts and "starter pets", rabbits are an expensive, long-term investment, and not suitable for children. Rabbits are prey animals. Many rabbits are maimed by children, who do not understand their vulnerability. This is why thoughtful, informed adoption is so important.
Rabbits bred for pet stores are often sold misgendered, pregnant, or ill. Families are hit with specialized vet costs, behavioral problems, illnesses, pests, and surprise litters. Unaware buyers are lured into a 15-year non-returnable and non-refundable commitment.
Rabbits are frequently abandoned outside. But contrary to popular belief, domesticated rabbits cannot survive in the wild. They often fall prey to predators, succumb to the elements, are eaten alive by pests, or are hit by cars.
Meanwhile, hundreds of rabbits and other small mammals are already in need of good homes.
In 2025, Red Door Animal Shelter in Rogers Park had 92 stray rabbits in their care; 279 surrender requests; and 169 field rescues.
The cause of this concentrated cycle of suffering is The Animal Store (once again), in Lincolnwood. We need your help in urging Lincolnwood's Mayor and Trustees to align with Cook County's humane law which prohibits the sale of rabbits.
Coyote Paces 8 Years Alone in Cage Near Chicago
Coyotes are pack animals.
Yet Rocky, the lonely coyote, has been confined to a small cage, outside and alone, in Northbrook, IL since 2018 (8 years).
As a puppy, Rocky was mistaken for a dog. Yet this isn't how one would house a dog. Nor a would-be-wild animal.
Rocky can be found pacing...
We are calling for Rocky's transfer to a sanctuary in Colorado. At the very least, a companion.
Video speed is at 1.3x to highlight movement patterns
