PAWS Chicago Sets New Record Surpassing 21,000 Spay/Neuter Surgeries in 2025

Jan 19, 2026

Our amazing team was featured on WGN-TV highlighting the lifesaving work happening every day at PAWS Chicago's Lurie Clinic.

In 2025, the PAWS Chicago Lurie Clinic completed a record-breaking 21,327 spay/neuter surgeries. Adding to this achievement, the Lurie Clinic earned national recognition with a 2025 Snippy Award nomination as the #1 High-Volume Spay/Neuter Clinic in the United States. PAWS Chicago Chief Program Officer Celene Mielcarek and Medical Director of Surgical Services Dr. Anais Alamo spoke with WGN’s Sean Lewis about what this recognition means for the organization.

Watch the feature here!

Building on this momentum, the Lurie Clinic is expanding access to spay/neuter services for Pit Bulls and large dogs (40+ lbs.) through $25 spay/neuter surgeries — supporting the pets most at risk of euthanasia and most frequently seen at Chicago Animal Care & Control. The initiative targets 21 Chicago ZIP codes with the greatest need, helping remove financial barriers for families enrolled in Medicaid or CountyCare.

Since its founding in 1997, when more than 42,000 pets were killed in Chicago, PAWS Chicago has helped lead an 89% reduction in homeless pet euthanasia citywide. Together, these milestones reflect PAWS Chicago’s leadership in addressing pet homelessness at its source through data-driven, community-focused solutions that deliver measurable, lifesaving impact.