Community Impact

The Safe Humane model is an unprecedented community-wide alliance and collaboration of non-traditional partners. It creates safer, more humane neighborhoods by combating violence and promoting compassion, caring and respect for animals as well as people.  Comprehensive programming targets neighborhoods most affected by violence and in need of resources using schools, churches and community groups.

The campaign trains and mentors community members to educate the public about responsible pet ownership and safety; promotes programs that stop the violence associated with dog fighting and animal abuse by providing positive, beneficial activities; and connects pet owners to available resources.  By taking steps to instill kindness and to reduce violence in our communities, it creates safer, more stable homes and environments for animals and people.  It reduces the number of animals that need to be saved.

In 2008 alone Safe Humane Chicago organized or participated in 122 documented training or educational events (not counting Court Advocates in courtrooms, described separately) involving more than 2,000 documented volunteer hours. These events represent at least 150 event hours reaching more than 2,000 adults and more than 2,200 children. Besides the 600 animals supported by Court Advocates and some dozen Safe Humane Chicago ambassador dogs, we do not yet know the number of animals helped by the proactive, safe humane messages and resources. However, beginning in 2009 we are documenting animal-related needs indicators in Chicago over time.  We also reach the general public through the Internet, answering emails and voice messages, updating our website, and participating in "tabling" events at neighborhood festivals and expositions.  

A Safe Humane goal is to change the way people interact with, care for and ultimately think about animals in communities, block by block, person by person.  In 2008 Safe Humane Chicago trained some thirty community members to deliver Safe Humane messages with at least a dozen Safe Humane ambassador dogs and their handlers. The local ambassador dogs are key to successful outreach.  Some are at-risk-type dogs themselves, rescued from abusive situations.  All of them meet and greet people and other animals, demonstrate good manners and remarkable skills, and even perform public service.   

Individual programs:

• Kids, Animals, and Kindness is offered to participating faith-based and community organizations in targeted neighborhoods.   In 2008, four churches initiated pilot programs that reached 125 children in after-school and out-of-school programs and more than 30 adult ministers and support staff.

• Youth Leaders for Safe Humane Chicago is a partnership with Chicago Public Schools.  Our program was piloted at Walter Payton College Preparatory High School as part of the seminar program.  A seminar for high school students of all ages, it was successfully launched in the spring semester of 2008 and has continued since.  During the two 20008 seminars, 57 high school students worked with Safe Humane facilitators and dog handlers to develop the messages of a "safe humane" curriculum for younger children.  They traveled with their partners – ambassador dogs approved by Safe Humane Chicago trainers – and their handlers to six elementary schools in at-risk neighborhoods, interacting with 719 children and 43 principals, teachers and support staff.  Part of our impact can be seen in thank-you letters written by the elementary school students.   

• The 2008 Lifetime Bonds program focused on older teens under the supervision of juvenile probation officers. Five sessions reached 83 juvenile offenders in the criminal justice system and 12 probation officers and criminal justice professionals. They viewed both dogfighting videos and videos of positive interactions with companion animals; participated in sessions with Safe Humane ambassador dogs and their handlers; learned about laws governing animals in communities; and enjoyed positive experiences with animals as companions and friends.  In 2009 we have added an option of working with a Safe Humane Chicago trainer in training classes with their own dogs.  

• It's All Connected is programming that educates older teens and adults in targeted communities about why they should take dogfighting and animal abuse seriously. It emphasizes the significant connection between violence toward animals and violence toward people, as well as the important bonds and care-giving skills engendered by the humane treatment of animals. It also trains government officials about the need to take animal laws seriously. In 2008, through presentations and ongoing distribution of informative materials, 120 juvenile probation officers were trained, along with numerous police officers and judges.  

• D A W G Court Advocacy: In partnership with D.A.W.G. (Dog Advisory Work Group), Safe Humane Chicago continued an already successful Court Advocacy Program for animal-related court cases that started with a partnership with the Chicago Police Department in December 2000. In 2008, 71 people attended three scheduled training sessions to become court advocates.  They learned about animal laws, their successful prosecution, available remedies and the fate of the victim animals. They joined 30 other previously trained court advocates to stand up for more than 600 victimized animals in more than 125 court cases. Their commitment adds to the understanding of violence and abuse that this program has developed in 4,000 courtroom hearings. It has also increased the seriousness with which these cases are addressed, ensuring that offenders are given the education they need or are removed from neighborhoods.