PAWS Chicago Rates Among Nation's Best Animal Charities

During the "season of giving," PAWS Chicago is gaining national attention.

Not only has a leading charity evaluator given the North Side charity the highest national rating within the Animal Rights, Welfare and Services category; but Chicago Magazine recognized it as among the best nonprofits in the city.

The Charity Navigator ranking is based on the efficient use of donor funds and the list is intended to help donors make more informed giving decisions.

In addition to this achievement, Charity Navigator has also awarded PAWS Chicago with a 4-star ranking for nine consecutive years.

"This is an exceptional accomplishment for as only 1 percent of charities evaluated by Charity Navigator have ever received a 4-star rating nine years in a row," PAWS representatives said, in a news release.

In addition to the Charity Navigator props, PAWS received a nod from Chicago magazine in its December issue. It features the publication's annual Guide to Charitable Giving, in which PAWS Chicago is named as one of 15 "gold standard"charities.

“There are still 25,000 or so nonprofits in the area clamoring for your dollars. The big question: Which of them will make the best use of your money?” asks writer Mark Sorkin, in the write up. "... Chicago quizzed professors, philanthropic consultants, and the brains behind the website Charity Navigator—a nonprofit that rates the viability of charities on a four-star scale—to come up with key guidelines for sizing up an organization."

PAWS offiicals thanked their staff for their endless hours spent volunteering, according to a post on the organizatin's website in response to the honors.

"With your hard work and commitment to the animals, we continue to make a difference in the lives of homeless pets and are building a No Kill community," they said.

Congratulations to the 15 Gold Standard charities:

Hunger and Homelessness

• Greater Chicago Food Depository
• Habitat for Humanity
• Inspiration Corporation

Environment

• Alliance for the Great Lakes
• Environmental Law & Policy Center

Health

• American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest
• Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation
• United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Chicago

Kids and Education

• Big Shoulders Fund
• Ronald McDonald House Charities
• SOS Children’s Villages Illinois

Pets

• PAWS Chicago

Culture

• Chicago Public Library Foundation
• Joffrey Ballet

Global

• Rotary Foundation of Rotary International

Editor's note: The above information was provided by PAWS Chicago.