Chicago Cubs Becoming a Bonded Pair with Local Animal Shelter

By Paul M. Banks

The Chicago Cubs continue to strengthen their bonds with PAWS Chicago, a leading local animal shelter. Last week the team hosted a pet-friendly animal adoption event at Gallagher Way, adjacent to Wrigley Field. The event which saw three shelter dogs find new homes, included free pizza and live music by Chicago-based band The Allstars.

Even club President Jed Hoyer made an appearance on the green to meet the canines. GM Carter Hawkins and his wife Lindsay were on hand, as they will co-chair PAWS' main annual fund-raiser later this year.

The list of Cubs players in attendance included Nico Hoerner, Adbert Alzolay, Drew Smyly, Ben Brown, Mike Tauchman. Javier Assad and Yency Almonte.

Lindsay Hawkins previously worked with an animal shelter in Cleveland when her husband Carter was with the Indians/Guardians.

Sean Doolittle poses with former White House service dog in 2019Photo byU.S. Navy photo

On a trip to Pittsburgh last summer, she happened to be seated in front of Emma Hendricks (wife of Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks) on the chartered jet.

"So I struck up a conversation and we talked about our mutual love of PAWS," Hawkins told me last week, "and said wouldn't it be great if we could team up for an adoptions event with the Cubs wives and PAWS.

"And she didn't even hesitate to say yes, let's do it."

Last week marked the second time that the Cubs and PAWS held an adoption event, and the first collaboration saw five shelter puppies get adopted.

Additionally, former Cubs outfielder Albert Almora was once on the cover of PAWS Chicago magazine, due to his philanthropic efforts with the shelter.

This is a partnership that seems perfect on multiple levels. Said Tom McFeeley, Associate Director for Media & Community Relations of PAWS Chicago:

"They came to us, they wanted to help us, the good thing about PAWS is that it is such a Chicago institution, so we get the opportunity to link up with brands like the Cubs, Broadway in Chicago and all these big iconic organizations."

There will definitely be more teaming up between the baseball team and the animal shelter in the future.

Said Heather Way Kitzes, Cubs Director of Community and Government Affairs:

"The Cubs are really active in the community and sponsor a lot of events, and Fur Ball (the charity fund-raiser in November) is my favorite, you get to bring your dog with you if you want to, and they have little activities for the dogs."

To see photos of each dog and puppy that were at the Cubs adoption event, or to find a potential fur child of your own, please visit pawschicago.org.

Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He currently contributes to Ravens Wire, part of the USA Today SMG’s NFL Wire Network and the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.