'It Takes A Village To Get A Dog Out Of Animal Welfare League'

OAK LAWN, IL — Sometimes it takes a village to get a lost dog out of Animal Welfare League in Chicago Ridge. Community members poured on the heat when stories surfaced this week on neighborhood Facebook groups that a woman was not able to reclaim her dog, who was picked up as a stray and taken to the shelter.

Michelle Castellanos said her blue-eyed, French bulldog, Jack, slipped away Tuesday evening, after he was outside with her husband while he cleaned out his car. According to Castellanos, she learned that Jack was picked up by Oak Lawn police and brought to AWL when he was spotted walking in the street near 91st Street and 49th Avenue.

“I had just taken Jack into the house, but he wanted to go back to be with my husband,” Castellanos told Patch. “He went back outside without his collar because he hates it and I take it off when he is inside.”

Just before 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oak Lawn police received a call from someone who said they were holding a stray dog near 91st Street and 49th Avenue. An Oak Lawn community service officer arrived at the home of the caller, who noted that Jack had no collar and no chip to identify his name, address or owner.

“We couldn’t return it to its owner, so the dog was brought to Animal Welfare League,” the report said.

After learning that Jack had been taken to AWL, Castellanos went there on Wednesday to claim her dog, but was turned away because she had no proof of vaccinations. The only proof of ownership she brought with her was Jack’s AKC registration and receipt of sale. She also claims that she was not allowed to view the AWL’s stray-hold, which is required under state law.

Castellanos told Patch she only had Jack for six months. She had been planning to take Jack this month to get him vaccinated, when her other dog, Max, was due for his yearly rabies shot.

She returned to AWL a second time Wednesday along with Jack’s breeder, a friend of Castellanos’ husband. Castellanos told Patch that the breeder brought his AKC license, ID and Jack’s papers.

“He showed them the information that he was the original owner,” she said.

But they left AWL empty-handed.

Meanwhile, Castellanos’s sister, Gabriella, began posting about her sister’s plight to recover her dog on the neighborhood Facebook groups.

Community members began calling their state representatives and senators, and the Illinois Department of Agriculture, which oversees animal shelters under the Illinois Animal Control and Animal Welfare Acts.

Jaclyn Macewko, of Hometown, said she filed a formal complaint Thursday against AWL with the state agricultural department.

“I have been working in lost dog recovery for over 15 years, and we’ve watched multiple dogs go to Animal Welfare League and owners report the same problems claiming their dogs,” Macewko told Patch. “The local police department brings them in and then wash their hands of it.”

>>> Family Says Animal Welfare League Held Their Lost Dog Hostage 16 Days

In February, Paul Buck’s dog, Lady, dug a hole under the fence and escaped. Buck lives across the street from St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Evergreen Park. When Buck, 68, learned that Oak Lawn police had picked up Lady and brought her to AWL in Chicago Ridge, he immediately went over there to claim his dog.

Despite dozens of time-stamped photos of Lady with Buck and his grandchildren, the family said AWL wouldn’t release the dog without vet records. Having found the dog right before the Thanksgiving, Buck hadn’t found the time to take Lady to the vet amid the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Buck went back to the animal shelter 13 times. After 16 misery-filled days, Buck was able to adopt his own dog back from AWL for $190.

“I did get the senior discount,” Buck said.

Prior to Buck, Patch was notified about a family in 2022, who never gave up searching for their lost dog for over a year, eventually locating their dog after intermittent postings on the Lost Dog Illinois Facebook page. The dog was apparently being held at Animal Welfare League for 18 months.

Ashley Tamburrano, of Bartlett, shared a similar experience trying to get their elderly Maltese, Missy, back from Animal Welfare League.

>>> 'This Is Not The Shelter Where You Want Your Fur Baby', Dog Owner Says

“My dad tried showing them pictures of our family dog along with vet records showing she needs her medicine as she has congestive heart failure, but they still turned him away and would not accept the medicine,” Tamburrano told Patch in 2022.

The family was able to get their dog back, but not without “causing an uproar” and persevering to get Missy back.

On Thursday, Castellanos went to the Oak Lawn police station to fill out a police report, stating that AWL would not return Jack because the dog didn’t have his rabies shot. Castellanos left before being assisted by an officer, the report said.

“I know it’s my fault because I didn’t get him the shots,” she told Patch. “If I have to pay a fee, I’ll pay it. I told them I’d pay for vaccination. I just want my dog back.”

Moments after Patch emailed AWL executive director Christine Higens on Thursday, informing her that Castellanos and the breeder were on their way over to the shelter, Castellanos received a message from Higens in reply to a Facebook post: “You can come in this afternoon anytime from now until 7:00 p.m. Please bring [the breeder], along with his photo I.D and all documentation. A rabies deposit, along with impoundment fees, will be required.

After paying a $180 impoundment fee, plus $45 for the rabies vaccine, Castellanos came out with the blue-eyed Frenchie, happily reunited with Castellanos’ 7-year-old daughter, who cried herself to sleep for the two nights Jack was gone.

“He’s not just a dog, he’s like another kid,” Castellanos said.

Higens sent an update to Patch, stating that Jack was returned to his “rightful legal owner” and thanking Patch for the opportunity to comment.

“Due to lack of documentation, we had to research the information provided to us. Our goal is to always make sure the information is correct,” Higens said in her email. “We cannot redeem an animal to just anyone without proper documentation.”

Jack was also given a complementary microchip, courtesy of AWL.

“We have encouraged the owner to promptly register the chip, in the event he should ever get lost again.”

Higens also asked Patch to “please take this opportunity to educate the public on the importance of popular registration and documentation."

Pet owners are advised to get their pets microchipped and register their pet’s information with the microchip company, along with updating their registration if they change phone numbers or transfer ownership. If you forget which microchip company you registered your pet with and need to update your info, ask your vet or take your pet to any Petco or PetSmart that can scan your pet’s chip. Pet stores offer rabies and microchipping clinics, as does Cook County Animal and Rabies Control.