Anti-Cruelty

An Open Door to Compassion

Anti-Cruelty has been on the forefront of animal welfare and humane education since it was founded in 1899. As one of Chicago’s oldest animal welfare organizations, our history is as large as our hearts. What started with just a single meeting would grow to be an entire community selflessly committed to helping pets and educating people.

MISSION

Anti-Cruelty builds a healthy and happy community where pets and people thrive together.

VISION

Build a humane Chicago for pets and people.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

BEST CARE: Animals deserve the best care.

OPEN DOOR: We welcome all.

HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND: We celebrate and nurture the connection between pets and people.

STRATEGIES

BEST PLACE + BEST RESOURCES = BEST CARE

BEST CARE FOR ANIMALS Provide the highest level of comprehensive care for every animal in our care and to the families we serve in the community.

BEST CARE IN COMMUNITIES Expand best care services beyond the shelter, directly into communities to celebrate and preserve the human-animal bond.

BEST CARE FOR PEOPLE Provide the best place for people by inspiring and engaging both internal and external animal advocates through access to training and animal careers.

VALUES:

INCLUSION: We embrace respect, fairness and dignity for everyone, in everything we do. We are a diverse organization committed to inclusion and equity. Since our founding, we work daily to build an equitable and just organization, which is integral to our success.

ACCESS: We are an open door committed to providing any animal in need with access to the care they require. We are committed to reach beyond our shelter walls to establish a community of caring with an open heart to all communities.

TRUST: We hold ourselves to the highest professional standards through transparency, accountability and stewardship. We get things done, honor our commitments and support each other with empathy and honesty.

HOPE: We bring hope to pets and people in need. Through leadership and innovation, we strive to be the best we can be to support animals and their humans.

PASSION:

We ignite passion about our mission and the impact we can have on animals and humans. We live our values and work as a team to spread joy and compassion. We achieve our goals and maximize our impact.