The Rosenthal Family Foundation

The Rosenthal Family Foundation We are a 501 C(3) whose mission is to support the preservation of wildlife, environment, animal welfare, animal rescue and humane treatment of animals.

As a foundation whose mission is to support local rescues—especially Chicago Animal Care and Control which remains at ca...
06/12/2026

As a foundation whose mission is to support local rescues—especially Chicago Animal Care and Control which remains at capacity—I am constantly exploring different ways to encourage rescues to pull the dogs most in need. Inevitably, many of those dogs are pitties.

But rescue is no different than retail: if organizations can't move dogs into homes, they can't keep bringing more in. We can't expect rescues to continue pulling pit bulls if they don't have the resources to support them or adopters willing to give them a chance.

That's why we are proud to be the main sponsor of tomorrow's Walk of Love with Heartland Animal Shelter. This partnership allows us to support a model that not only saves dogs from CACC but helps them reach the finish line.

Since April, this sponsorship funding has helped cover medical expenses in part for 22 dogs pulled from CACC. Now, we're taking it one step further by helping cover adoption fees as well—removing another barrier between these deserving dogs and the homes they deserve.

Saving lives doesn't end when a dog leaves the shelter. Every pull from CACC js a victory, but every forever home is the goal.

Let's make it happen for these dogs.
Come to the walk, stop by the shelter, and show your commitment to local rescue by opening your home to one of these incredible dogs.

Every one of them has the support and backing of Heartland Animal Shelter behind them, so when you leave with your new family member, you're not doing it alone. Heartland will be there every step of the way. All that's missing is you.

ONE PERFECT MATCHSometimes in rescue, I find myself asking: Where do these adopters come from?It's not like I need a hun...
06/11/2026

ONE PERFECT MATCH

Sometimes in rescue, I find myself asking: Where do these adopters come from?

It's not like I need a hundred of them. I just need one. THE RIGHT ONE. And somehow, when every piece of the puzzle is in place except the last one, they appear.

If you knew Raul at CACC, I'm going to tell you right now that this story has a happy ending, so it's safe to keep reading.

Raul hadn't been at Chicago Animal Care and Control very long, but it was clear he was struggling. The kennel stress was overwhelming, and his separation anxiety only made things worse. The story circulating was that he had been found alone in an apartment after his owner passed away. This was a dog who had lost his person.

He wasn't built for shelter life. He didn't have the resilience to endure it for long, and he certainly didn't have the kind of kennel presence that helps dogs make a quick exit—or sometimes any exit at all.

Then PAV C underwent maintenance, and Raul was selected for the April 29 Sleepover Program. Maybe it was meant to be a brief escape from the noise, stress, and chaos of the shelter. Maybe it was supposed to be a final hurrah. Or maybe something bigger was put into motion.

What most people don't see is that every dog who leaves for a sleepover has a team of volunteers fighting for them behind the scenes. Every single one. Volunteers posting, networking, emailing rescues, making calls, and hoping someone will say yes.

Raul headed off to spend the weekend with a volunteer who actually boarded her own reactive resident dog so she could take him in.

Those 48 hours changed everything.

When Raul returned to CACC, the volunteer made sure everyone knew just how desperately he needed to get out. Including me.

The very next day, I was at Border Tails Rescue having Beckett, my sleepover pull, evaluated. As I was leaving, they welcomed Beckett and then sent me right back to CACC with one instruction:

"Go get Raul."

The six weeks that followed were a reminder that rescue is rarely a one-person/one-solution job.

There was managing his anxiety (I truly don't know what I would have done without gabapentin). There was tackling his excessive hu***ng (thank you, Pet Correct). There was teaching him how to play and interact appropriately with other dogs (thank you Wiggly Tails Dog Daycare because he never would have fit into a home with three resident dogs without that foundation). And there was the endless support and guidance from the staff at Border Tails Rescue, who patiently answered every question that came with fostering a dog struggling with separation anxiety.

One by one, the pieces fell into place.

And then came the final piece.

Ginger and Stephen. The adopters every rescue dog dreams of.

Four days ago, Raul—now Wally—officially became part of their family, joining his new siblings: Millie, a fellow black pittie, and two Dobermans, Letty and Daphne.

Wally's story isn't about one person saving one dog.
It's about what happens when the rescue community refuses to give up until the last puzzle piece clicks into place.

And judging by the photos and videos below, I'd say that piece fit perfectly.

All Creatures Great and SmallI'm no rural vet—just a North Shore mom who runs a Puppy Penthouse. But thanks to Raul's ad...
06/10/2026

All Creatures Great and Small

I'm no rural vet—just a North Shore mom who runs a Puppy Penthouse. But thanks to Raul's adoption (more on that tomorrow), I had an open room this weekend. In rescue, that's a big deal.

It meant I could help not one, but two dogs in need of a temporary place to land.

First, there was Bruno—the small creature in this story. If you follow Garrido Stray Rescue Foundation, you probably know Bruno. He needed a quiet, safe stopover before heading to his foster home, so we welcomed him in.

I'm not going to lie... it was my daughter's graduation weekend so Bruno spent more time in a kennel than I would have liked during his 36-hour stay. But he got some great walks and a chance to take in the North Shore landscaping before continuing on his journey.

When Bruno headed out Saturday night, I headed to CACC on Sunday afternoon to pick up P*e Wee for Just Giants Rescue, Inc

P*e Wee is the great creature in this story.

An English Mastiff weighing in at 136 pounds, he is officially the biggest dog I've ever fostered.

And I'm not gonna lie... he made me nervous.

But he needed out, CACC was at capacity, and I had space. Every time I foster, it's an opportunity to learn something new while helping save another life.

Yesterday's mission was simple: get P*e Wee neutered before he headed to his long-term foster in Wisconsin.

Getting him neutered in Northbrook: $160.

Getting him neutered in Wisconsin: $1,200.

Sometimes rescue is about saving lives. Sometimes it's also about saving resources so rescues can keep saving lives.
P*e Wee was picked up early this evening and is already on the next leg of his journey toward a forever home.

Funny how quickly things change.

Yesterday I wouldn't look him directly in the eye.

Today, when I stopped petting him, he nudged me with that giant head like a seal asking for more. VGB.

I've sponsored CACC dogs that Just Giants has pulled before, but this was my first time fostering for them. Writing a check helps, but nothing replaces opening your home.

This weekend reminded me that rescue comes in all sizes. Sometimes it's a little dog who needs a safe place to rest for a day or two. Sometimes it's a 136-pound Mastiff who needs a ride to surgery and a place to crash.

Either way, when there's an open room and a dog in need, I am happy to say yes.

AND THE BEAT GOES ON! School is out but CACC IS IN SESSION!COME PLAY FOR THE DAYS AND CATS at Chicago Animal Care and Co...
06/08/2026

AND THE BEAT GOES ON!
School is out but CACC IS IN SESSION!

COME PLAY FOR THE DAYS AND CATS at Chicago Animal Care and Control THIS SATURDAY JUNE 13TH AND SUNDAY JUNE 14TH!

PERFORMANCE SLOTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM 12-4PM! Sessions are 45 minutes long on the hour! OPEN TO MUSICIANS OF ALL AGES AND SKILL LEVELS!

SIGN UP HERE:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044EAEA92AA7FCC07-64361478-cacc

BUSY THIS WEEKEND? JOIN US ON SATURDAY JULY 18TH AND SUNDAY JULY 19TH FOR "PUPAPALOOZA!" Help us fill all the dog pavilions with live music!

Great kids. Great dogs. Great hour.On Saturday, I posted about my frustration with the state of local rescue. It's hard ...
06/02/2026

Great kids. Great dogs. Great hour.

On Saturday, I posted about my frustration with the state of local rescue. It's hard to ignore the reality that in a city of 2.7 million people (Chicago), on a page with 111,000 followers (CACC Dogs), we sometimes have to practically beg to find a single foster home for a dog in need who has clearly run out of time.

But rescue isn't just about the short game. And every day you have to reset.

So yesterday, five students showed up to see what rescue looks like behind the scenes at Border Tails Rescue. Having taught middle schoolers, I know they don't always say much—but the wheels are constantly turning.

They folded laundry, delivered clean bedding to kennels, sorted donations, and got a glimpse of what rescue really is about. Kennel after kennel of dogs waiting for homes. Dogs lucky enough to have made it to that in-between place—safe for now, but still waiting for someone to choose them.

And before the hour was over, they met Tony—a former street dog from Mexico who got his rescue ride on the big blue bus and received life saving treatment to make a full recovery from cancer. He already got his happy ending. He just needs a family to celebrate it with. But meanwhile, he got some love from a great group of kids.

Maybe that's how change happens. One dog, one kid, one hour at a time.

In life I ask myself have I shown up?For weddings, for funerals, for my kids soccer games and recitals, for friends and ...
05/30/2026

In life I ask myself have I shown up?

For weddings, for funerals, for my kids soccer games and recitals, for friends and family in time of need, and yes.. for dogs in need.

420 COMMENTS FOR Chicago Animal Care and Control URGENT DOG LILAC. And NOT ONE viable FOSTER OFFER. And the two people who expressed interest... well they never responded.

It was only after a message from someone I knew that she could commit to this sick girl and see her through adoption that Lilac was able to get her rescue ride.

In a city that screams for transparency in rescue, when a call comes out that this urgently ill, sweet pup needs to leave in 24 hours or she's not going to make it.. there are comments, criticisms, sympathy and prayers... but no one to actually do the work.

And yes....sponsorships help....but they are worthless without one person to show up.

420 comments...If you aren't willing to answer the call to action, stop tying up the lines!

THANK YOU Border Tails Rescue for pulling!

THANK YOU CHERYL for fostering!

THANK YOU ERIC AND TAYLOR for making the drive on a late Saturday afternoon to transport. At 51 minutes out to the burbs my guess is that the return trip will come close to two hours.

Dear Beautiful Family,You don't know me but I want to thank you. This past weeekend you saw our boy Beckett at Border Ta...
05/26/2026

Dear Beautiful Family,

You don't know me but I want to thank you.

This past weeekend you saw our boy Beckett at Border Tails Rescue and made room for another.

Beckett was my 2 night Sleepover Pull on April 29 from Chicago Animal Care and Control. I was supposed to return him that Thursday evening but I missed the drop off window (silly me).

Instead, that Friday I took a drive to BTR where they knew instantly Beckett was one of theirs! And because of that I drove away the same day to CACC and saved another.

He was my shortest foster ever- three nights. But although short in time he found a place in my heart. Sometimes I wonder how long does it take for a dog to imprint.

I kept checking the weekend roundups hoping I would see our boy find his forever home. But there was no mention. Yet I knew you would come.

This past Friday I went to BTR to pick up some meds for my current foster and in my true know no limits- advocate for my fosters self I started telling this woman in the waiting room she had to check Beckett out.

But wait... as I was going on...one of the staff behind the counter interrupted to let me know that he had left earlier that day. And then they showed me this photo.

I knew you would come.
And you were certainly worth the wait.

Liv, Laugh, LoveMy goals are pretty similar to many in rescue: every dog has a home or at least they have their person t...
05/24/2026

Liv, Laugh, Love

My goals are pretty similar to many in rescue: every dog has a home or at least they have their person to see them through to the end. No matter how old... it's never too late.. that is the goal.

So when Chi-Town Pitties, Inc. PULLED LIV, a 10 YEAR OLD FEMALE PITTIE FROM Chicago Animal Care and Control YESTERDAY (OVER A HOLIDAY WEEKEND WHICH IS ALWAYS SO NEEDED) that had been found wandering in a Chicago alley, they knew she would likely require a good amount of medical intervention. She had several masses that needed removal and they believed she likely had cancer.

However things seemed off with Liv when arriving at the foster. So she was taken to VSC, where an emergency evaluation indicated pyometra- a life threatening bacterial infection. The surgical team removed her infected uterus along with the masses. She was so anemic that she required a blood transfusion overnight.

Today...she is recovering.

The cost of surgery: somewhere between $7,000-$10,000.

WE ARE SUPPORTING LIV'S RECOVERY WITH A $500 CHICKEN SOUP MATCH FOR THIS SWEET SENIOR.

A LITTLE LOVE FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE GOES A LONG WAY IN RESCUE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOUR DOLLARS ARE DOUBLED.

Let's help Chi-Town Pitties, Inc. in supporting Liv's healing and future treatment. TO DONATE PLEASE SEE BELOW:

PayPal [email protected]
Venmo
Website https://chitownpitties.org/donations/
And please note “Liv ” in the notes.

School may be almost out for summer… but CACC is IN SESSION with our music outreach! 🎶🐾Huge thanks to the incredible 6th...
05/22/2026

School may be almost out for summer… but CACC is IN SESSION with our music outreach! 🎶🐾

Huge thanks to the incredible 6th graders from Ms. McGannon’s music class at Catherine Cook School who traded their classroom for kennels Wednesday, filling Chicago Animal Care and Control with ukulele music, smiles and a whole lot of heart for the dogs and cats waiting for homes.

Special thanks as well to Tracy with Safe Humane Chicago for giving the students a behind-the-scenes tour and helping them learn how CACC serves both animals and the community every single day.

And of course, the best part of the afternoon: endless tummy rubs for our beautiful pittie girl Emryn, who has now been at CACC for EIGHT weeks. For long-stay dogs like Emryn, this extra love, attention and time outside means absolutely everything.

Want to bring a group of student musicians to CACC this summer? Email Michelle at [email protected] and help us keep the tails wagging. 🎵

Rest EasyYour Girl Neveah Has A HomeThank you Cassandra and Miguel♥️
05/18/2026

Rest Easy
Your Girl Neveah Has A Home

Thank you Cassandra and Miguel♥️

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Highland Park, IL

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+18477107337

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