Boots beats the odds

Sep 26, 2025

When 5-month-old Boots was found sick and alone on the streets, his future looked uncertain—until a lifesaving rescue changed everything.

At just five months old, little Boots has already overcome more than many dogs face in a lifetime. 

His journey began on the streets of Chicago, where a concerned citizen called 311 after spotting the young puppy suffering from vomiting and diarrhea. He was brought to Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC)—where staff immediately suspected a serious illness. 

Testing confirmed their fears: Boots was parvo-positive, a highly contagious and potentially deadly virus in puppies. Time was critical—not just for Boots’ survival, but to prevent the virus from spreading to other dogs in the shelter. 

That’s when CACC reached out to PAWS Chicago for help. Our Medical Center team responded immediately, bringing Boots into our care that same day. He was placed in medical isolation and began intensive treatment right away. 

Parvovirus is a tough battle, especially for a puppy. Boots needed IV fluids, anti-nausea medications, antibiotics, both plasma and blood transfusions, a feeding tube, and round-the-clock monitoring. But through it all, this brave little guy never gave up. Despite feeling sick and weak, he remained gentle and full of heart, slowly but surely showing signs of improvement. 

After days of care and determination, Boots turned a corner. His appetite returned and thanks to our feeding partner, Kismet, he had all the nourishment and nutrients he needed to recover. His strength grew, and soon his tail was wagging again. Against the odds, he made a full recovery thanks to early intervention, expert care, and the support of animal lovers like you. 

Now fully healed, Boots is ready for the next chapter. He’ll be arriving at the PAWS Chicago Adoption Center soon, looking for a loving family to continue his journey with a new, healthy lease on life. 

Boots’ recovery was only possible because of the generosity of our supporters. Everything we do is funded by donations, and Boots' lifesaving medical care is no exception. We know that another dog in need just like Boots is always around the corner, please consider making a donation to ensure their lifesaving care, too.