This month is “Back in Black” month, sponsored by Best Friends Animal Society. Black and dark colored cats and dogs are often overlooked and this month is their month to shine.  Bookmark is my name, just to make sure that you come back to me often. While I might not have been the most welcoming kitty in the past, I am making progress thanks to the loving socialization I am getting from some of my friends around here at Save-A-Pet. I often prefer to hang out with other cats and can most times be found sleeping, bunking with a group of other felines. I am also quite playful, even in a group of …

The first thing you notice is that we always smile. I'm Dodger, the black and white one, and that's my sister, Lani, the golden brown one.  We are still together, even though it has been tough losing our family. We still have to keep our spirits up. We lived with two small kids and a cat and did very well with everyone. I am an active guy, always ready to run and check out any action that might be going on. If Lani and I are in a fenced in yard and we see a dog walking by, we proudly bark to say hello. We don’t really want to admit it but we are a little bit stressed being here at the shelter…

To describe me, you just need two words - outgoing and social. After all, I came from a family with four kids, ages 7-11.  I am accustomed to being loved and petted a lot. This means that I have adjusted rather quickly to my new living quarters here at Save-A-Pet and I am always more than happy to take as much petting as people are willing to give me. So what is a girl like me doing here? For some reason, I really didn’t care for the dad too much but he said I was great with all the kids and the other cat. I even lived with a dog. I enjoy comfy beds and I am quite a playful and active cat. Of…

If you want to keep up with me, run as fast as the wind! Yep, I like to tease my brother in chasing me and you should see how I can take sharp turns, all the while barking and keeping an eye on him to make sure he hasn’t abandoned the chase. Don't worry - we don’t do too much tumbling around. When I need a break, I take a quick jump in the baby pool. I also love toys and playing tug of war with my brother. I am speedy and an active, energetic dog but I also love to just get some attention. From Save-A-Pet: Jerry is about 4 months old and is neutered. He is up-to-date on routine shots, …

I’ll be the first one to recognize that I get quite anxious when I am left alone, but I am lovable. Who doesn’t prefer to have company during the day? Unfortunately, over the years, my family said that my separation anxiety had gotten worse and felt that they could no longer provide the best environment for me. I lived with another dog and two cats and did well overall with them. I can be a bit protective of my bones and toys around other dogs but that can easily be handled. They said that I was a great listener, even off-leash. I am very affectionate and love to snuggle under covers. I am …

I am a very quiet and unassuming guy. I am very sweet and I love to be brushed with a fine tooth comb. I can be timid with people and can get scared easily until I get to know you, but once I do, I am very affectionate. One volunteer said that when she first approached me, I hissed, but she could tell it was all show. Once she started petting me, I showed her that I love neck scratches and petting under my chin. I even rolled on my side and started purring. Once she showed me I could trust her, I had nothing to hold back! I lived with a young child and cats and I was good with all of them. I …

Come and watch me perform the perfect German Shepherd trot! OK, maybe I can’t really brag about this because this is all natural to me. Hey, anything to get someone interested in me. The first part of my life was mainly spent outside and then I found a family a little less than a year ago where I got to experience being a real family member. They had two small kids, ages 4 and 6 and I got along with them just fine. I do get too excited around small animals so a home with no cats or small dogs is best. Unfortunately, when they no longer had a home, I lost my family too. They took good care of …

Don’t try to sneak up on me! I am deaf, so please approach me slowly so I can see you before you start petting me. To say that I am stressed here doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel. I am always on alert, watching shadows moving around, feeling trepidations--this is all so exhausting. I try to avoid the limelight as much as possible even though some of my friends here think that I have the total Hollywood glamour look: white fur with blue eyes. I’d gladly skip all the paparazzi and flashing cameras for a quiet home, with of course no kids, just so I can finally relax again. Since being …

Here is this week's featured animal, available for adoption at Save-A-Pet, a no-kill shelter in Grayslake: Dog walkers, I will be your best friend! I am going out to have some fun! Long walks, sweet; going into a play yard, just awesome; finding a squeaky toy, heaven…I can even play by myself. Nothing can however replace all the loving and petting I get from people. What can I say? I see the good in everything that happens and that’s because I was lucky to come here. After all, I may look like a grown-up doggy but I am still just a puppy at heart, trusting of everyone and always ecstatic at …

“One cool cat” is what a volunteer had to say about me. Pretty sweet! I enjoy spending my time hanging out on one of the cat trees, supervising everything that is going on in the lobby in the hope that someone will finally notice me. So far, no such luck…I am a little on the mellow side and always ready for a quiet petting session or just spending quality time with my human and feline friends. I do however have a bit of a sporty side as I can be tempted into a game of chase with my friends when the laser light comes out, or a feather toy. He is about 4 years old, neutered, up-to-date on …

I lost my home when my guardian was forced to move and couldn’t find a cat-friendly new home. She said that I was the best cat she had ever had. She went on to say that I am caring and extremely cool, crawling over people, affectionate and outgoing…boy I feel like I am blushing all the way to the tip of my whiskers. I am, however, not too keen on other cats. I am playful at times and can get quite active chasing the laser light around. At other times, I prefer to chill out. I have to say that I am probably more of the couch potato type. Some days I can be very affectionate, even rolling over …

On Feb. 20, a young tortie cat whom we've named Special was brought in to Save-A-Pet. Special appeared to have been recently hit by a car. She was sent to Mundelein Animal Hospital where they assessed her and started pain medications.  They found that her jaw is shattered and she possibly has head trauma so they were not comfortable leaving her unsupervised overnight. Special is blind as of right now, and may or may not have neurological effects from the head trauma, if any. We sent her to AETC for IV pain meds and monitoring Sunday night and she was transferred to Dr. Stapleton in Barrington…

My name is Jax, but I also answer to Maximilian. My family got me as a puppy from a breeder and a few years later decided that I couldn’t get along well in their household. According to them, I was very protective of my female person and of socks and flip-flops! I’m a silky terrier who is intelligent – I even know some commands. I’m a sensitive little guy and I would do best in a calm environment with an adult only family who is willing to work with me on some of my issues. Sometimes I feel the need to take charge and can get a bit feisty. I therefore need someone committed to helping me …

Hi, I'm Lilly. Life has been tough for my family. Our mom was rescued from a kill shelter and we were lucky that we all made it. If this wasn’t enough, my siblings and I all got sick when we were still little puppies so we missed out on a lot of things. As a result, most of us ended up a bit on the shy side. While out and about, I am fine meeting people but at home I tend to get scared and uncomfortable when people I don’t know come in to visit.  I am an affectionate girl, however, and I love attention. I was adopted to a family with three kids and a mom where I spent five wonderful years. …

I am a big solid guy who can often be found standing proudly on top of a cat tree or kitty condo, surveying my domain and hoping to be the first one to spot my new family. So let me introduce myself (I know my friends here think I am quite handsome but I really don’t care). My hobbies are: getting loved and brushed, playing with feather toys and eating kitty treats, especially the beef/turkey jerky ones. I am an active and playful fellow; after all, when you enjoy food, you need to burn these calories. I don’t especially enjoy the company of dogs, but other cats are fine. I can be independent…

This is just one of the dogs and cats available for adoption at Save-A-Pet, a no-kill shelter in Grayslake: Hi, I'm Cybil. The first thing you will notice about me are my ears! I hear that all the time. No need for me to wear antlers although a Santa hat might make me look more festive. Then again, my happy personality is always ready to celebrate whether it be playing with toys in a fenced-in yard or getting a belly rub. I was relinquished to another shelter and when my time was up, I made the drive to Save-A-Pet. I am a very playful and active girl, always ready to do some jumpy running – …