The Garrido Stray Rescue Foundation serves the animals and families of Chicago, Illinois and the surrounding areas. Our primary goal is to reunite pets with their owners.

This 100% volunteer based, 501(c)(3) non-profit, rescue organization was established in March of 2017 by Anna and John Garrido. Both founders hold professional full-time careers, but chose to fulfill their passion helping animals in their free time.

As a little girl, Anna brought home stray, hurt and abandoned animals and cared for them until they recovered with hopes to find them a home; however, none left her house. John also grew up with animals, but his true passion did not develop until adulthood. Anna and John’s more serious involvement in animal rescue started in 2001 when they rescued a malnourished dog from PAWS Chicago. Since then they have been involved with PAWS Chicago and even though they are busy with their own rescue, they still find time to volunteer at PAWS Chicago a few times a year.

Here is what they say…

We are a City of Chicago stray-hold approved rescue organization. Our goal is to defer animals from going to a local shelter and to reunite them with their owners. However, that’s not always possible. These animals are placed in foster homes or boarding facilities we partnered up with. Once these animals are treated medically, we ensure that through an extensive adoption process, a loving home and a pawfect match is found. Some animals come to our rescue abused, tortured or even deceased and for these animals, we established a Court Advocacy Program to help seek justice and to be their voice.

Animals that come to our rescue are in need of medical care. We partnered up with veterinary clinics and hospitals throughout the Chicagoland area and ensure that these pups receive everything they need from microchipping, vaccinations, spay/neuter, to extensive surgeries, hospital stays, dental work, x-rays and more. Dogs that are extremely matted receive a much-needed spa day.  Dogs with behavioral issues receive training and we also provide an extensive training session for every adopted dog.

We support “no kill” community coalitions that are committed to reducing the number of cats and dogs in that community who are at risk of becoming lost, abandoned or relinquished to shelters.

We also strongly believe in Proactive Redemptions. One of the most overlooked areas for reducing killing in animal control shelters are lost animal reclaims. Primarily shifting from passive to a more proactive approach—has proven to have a significant impact on lifesaving and allow shelters to return a large percentage of lost animals to their families.

We are able to make a difference in the Chicago community and in the lives of animals every day because of donor support. Veterinary visits and care are costly.  To learn more about how you can get involved and how your donation can make a difference, visit our donations page.