GRASSROOT BEGINNINGS
Founded by Evanston resident Ashlynn Boyce at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Paws and Claws is the culmination of a long-time commitment to saving the cats at the highest risk of being overlooked by other organizations and individuals and at an increased risk of euthanasia.
In 2020, 11,000 animals were euthanized annually in Illinois alone. Ashlynn felt compelled to aggregate many of the best practices she had seen through her work with other rescues and build a nurturing environment for both felines and the people who love them.
Isolation and loneliness was felt by many during the height of the pandemic and a craving for companionship and community was greater than ever. Within just the first two years of the organizations history, hundreds of individuals had come forward to foster and adopt providing a home for felines in need and filling a void during an incredibly hard time.
In May 2023, the organization opened its first facility: the Paws and Claws Cat Adoption Center located in Evanston. 829 Chicago Ave is the heart of Paws and Claws' operations and houses free-roaming cat rooms for adoptable cats, an isolation space for sick cats, a treatment room for new cats coming from other shelters, a surgical suite for on-site spay and neuter surgeries, storage space, offices and a hub for community events and gatherings.
As of February 2025, the organization has rescued over 2,300 animals from 40 different municipal shelters across the Midwest and southern part of the United States. They have partnerships with 12 local veterinary clinics and have a contract with an in-house vet tech and veterinarian. The rescue currently relies on its network of over 120 foster families in the Chicagoland area to open their hearts and homes to its animals until they are matched with their forever homes. Paws and Claws sees itself as a community of "crossing guards” for these vulnerable animals, helping them move from their past —whether that be from a traumatic home, a kennel, or a euthanasia list— to a safe and loving forever home.
Paws and Claws is based in Evanston, but serves all of Chicago and its suburbs including, but not limited to: Glenview, Northbrook, Morton Grove, Skokie, Wilmette, Des Plaines and Lincolnwood.
