Famous Fido Rescue No Kill Advocacy Wellness & Learning Center
3.7 from 380 reviews
Address 3124 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60618
Phone Number +17739070305
Description Famous Fido founder, Gloria Lissner, has been rescuing homeless dogs since 1975. She was driven to reduce the staggering number of adoptable animals destroyed every year in the Chicagoland area. In 2009 more than 15,000 companion animals were destroyed. Gloria, her staff and all the volunteers at Famous Fido are passionate about raising the profile of the problem. We want to forge an alliance with other like-minded individuals, organizations and shelters, to put an end to the countless deaths of adoptable animals caused by overpopulation' and a chronic inability to match up animals in a timely manner with loving guardians.
A Google User
So I first of all want to start my story with thinking Gloria for being such an amazing human being and everything she does for these animals that she rescues. I am a mom of A beautiful cat named Charlie and we’ve had them for about 10 years and he has had a chronic condition. It has really exhausted us financially we’re family, low income family, and we have taken out loans and CareCredit to care for our cat.. This week Charlie started to get sick again and at this point, I knew that it was extreme and that it was gonna cost us thousands of dollars I was trying to figure out What I was gonna do because we did not have the money. So one of the last thoughts in my brain was to surrender him to a shelter, a no kill shelter and I just found Miss Gloria and when I called her, I was very desperate and basically I didn’t know what to do and she stopped me and she said I can’t take your cat, but what’s going on? I explain to her how Charlie had not been able to for a couple of days and I think he was having an infection and how he has suffered from this in the past and we have exhausted our financial resources to help him not even an ER visit would be in our budget. She was like you need to do something for your cat. I will help you. We started making phone calls and thank God we were able to find an affordable clinic and Miss Gloria has offered to match whatever I can raise in my go fund me for my cat Charlie today is May 31, 2024. So far we have almost $1100 the procedure if he needs surgery is gonna be about $4000 and hopefully he doesn’t need the surgery and Gloria is working on her and her magic to help me out even though she doesn’t have to do that so I’m leaving this amazing review for her because she is a passionate person who cares about what she does and unfortunately sometimes we can’t save every animal but just the littlest bit counts so if you guys can donate to her shelter, anything food money time She is working that place and I know that shortstaffed and we are just very blessed to have an angel like Gloria https://gofund.me/d953dbc9 I have included Charlie’s go find me and I will donate from that money back to the shelter. If there is any remaining money left over if you guys could share the link for the GoFundMe or donate, we would be so grateful.
A Google User
My eyes are still watering from the stench of dozens of dirty litter boxes. I saw this place while passing, and assumed it was a pet store. From the outside, you can see many cat trees and also many random knickknacks and kitchy items. The second I opened the front door I was hit with an overwhelming smell of stale animal urine and feces. Upon opening the second door, an old woman in a chair immediately RUDELY told me this was not a store, it's an adoption center. She made much unfriendly conversation, and after I explained how I'm interested in getting a cat, she let me walk through to view the cats. they have up to a dozen cats in each room, and every litter box was absolutely filthy and full. It was very early in the day and those litter boxes should be routinely cleaned. Outside of the cat rooms, there are many shelves filled with random items, porcelain dolls, glassware, etc. I'm convinced this old woman just needed another space to fill her hoard. Dirty, cramped, and rude. I heard employees having conversations in the back rooms, when they could have been cleaning the disgusting full litter boxes or keeping the cats company as they were starved for attention. This place SHOULD NOT be open. It should be shut down. Disgusting and SAD. I should have taken pictures of the disgusting litter boxes to post here. For anyone reading this review, go inside and take pictures. It is not a good space.
A Google User
If I could give this place zero stars I would based off of their customer service alone. Call to ask a simple question spoke to a woman named Gina who was very judgy and condescending. I was asking her simple questions about surrendering a dog that had bitten a child and all she kept saying was that's a death sentence to that dog as opposed to offering up any actual help. Saying things like why didn't you separate it from the kids and things like that, well the dog had never bitten a kid before so I didn't know she would buy the child. I have several other dogs that don't bite children. I understand that certain dogs need more work but I can't take the risk on it severely injuring one of my children. I don't appreciate her attitude about it at all, especially when you're already having a hard enough time even considering surrendering her. A few simple answers, that's all that was needed! Thanks Gina!
A Google User
Something is not right with this place. A friend recommended that I see a cat I might be interested in rescuing. Before I even got the front door fully opened, an older gentleman and a lady in a chair started yelling at me, “ WE ARE NOT A STORE, WE ARE NOT A STORE ….. “. The old man walking briskly to the front door to escort me out. I managed to say I was here just to look at a cat I was interested in adopting. They physically and verbally insisted I left, and the lady said “We are a rescue”. To which I tersely responded “ I know you are a rescue, that is why I am here. So how do you go about rescuing cats then?” All she could do was smile knowing she was being incredibly rude. She goes “ oh well you need an appointment”. I responded, “Well that’s how you should have started the conversation.” She then reluctantly said ok you can go look. Wanting absolutely nothing to do with this place whatsoever I tried for 10 seconds to spot my cat and left. It’s fine to be appointment only, but why let some people in and others not without an appointment. Why did she only let me in after I had to call her out? Why would you berate and demand a person leave your shelter before they even get the door open, when they are most likely there to rescue a cat or volunteer? I read the reviews of this place after my experience and see a clear pattern of toxic behavior and even instances of potential fraudulent use of donation funds. I do not recommend going to or donating to this place. The best thing for the cats might be investigating this establishment.
A Google User
Gloria is horribly rude and unprofessional. The way she speaks to you, her lack of tact, lack of compassion, it’s “disgusting”. Her favorite word to use. Had a death in your family? She doesn’t care. She will still criticize you and your situation. How does she run this place? Who would ever want to adopt from them when she is so horribly rude and the shelter is completely disgusting?
A Google User
I love volunteering at Famous Fidos! Gloria loves animals so much! She does her best with everything, to take in Owner Surrenders, and adopt to well Forever Homes! Donations provide great food, litter and medical! There are merchandise for all rooms, grooming and complimentary beverages too! Still the multitude of furries need volunteers and monetary donations. So don't be shy. Stop on by and say hi! And check out the furries online too!
Business Hours
Monday:09:00AM - 18:00PMTuesday:09:00AM - 18:00PMWednesday:11:00AM - 20:00PMThursday:09:00AM - 18:00PMFriday:09:00AM - 18:00PMSaturday:10:00AM - 17:00PMSunday:10:30AM - 16:00PM
Popular Times
Service options
- Onsite services
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
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Services
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