Building healthier neighborhoods by investing in Chicago’s dogs and the neighborhood's that they call home.
For generations we’ve responded to crisis.
The approach to healthier neighborhoods begin long before a dog enters Chicago Animal Care and Control.
That’s why we’re building something different.
The Future of Chicago Dogs Starts in Chicago Neighborhoods.
It starts where families and pets live together.
Keeping pets healthy. Keeping families together. Building stronger neighborhoods.
The future begins before crisis ever happens.
Starting Where the Need Is Greatest
Chicago already tells us where help is needed.
Using intake trends from Chicago Animal Care & Control, M.A.S.H. will prioritize neighborhoods that experience the highest rates of companion animal intake.
Instead of waiting for families to reach the shelter, we’ll bring prevention directly into the communities where it can have the greatest long-term impact.
By returning to these neighborhoods on a regular basis we’ll build trusted relationships, expand access to care, and work toward reducing preventable shelter intake over time.
Prevention Begins With Trust.
A vaccine becomes a conversation.
A conversation builds trust.
Trust gives families the confidence to ask for help before surrender becomes the only option.
That’s how healthier neighborhoods are built.
Building Chicago’s Prevention Infrastructure.
M.A.S.H. isn’t simply a mobile clinic.
It’s the first layer of a neighborhood based prevention system designed to bring veterinary care, education, and support directly into the communities where they’re needed most.
Designed for Chicago.
As we developed M.A.S.H., MCP partnered with and learned from Animal Balance, an internationally recognized leader in community based companion animal health and population management.
Their work has demonstrated that lasting change happens by meeting families where they are, returning consistently, and investing in prevention before crisis occurs.
Chicago now has the opportunity to build upon those proven principles and create a model uniquely designed for our city’s neighborhoods, families, and pets.
Launching November 2026
Starting in Garfield Park
This November, M.A.S.H. launches in partnership with The Salvation Army Garfield Park Corps Community Center, bringing affordable veterinary care, prevention services, and family support directly into one of Chicago’s neighborhoods.
It’s the first chapter in a long term commitment to returning, listening, and investing where the need is greatest.
M.A.S.H. will begin serving neighborhoods through recurring community clinics that provide affordable spay and neuter services, vaccinations, veterinary care, education, and essential resources.
This is the beginning of a long term investment in Chicago’s neighborhoods.
Five Year Goal
By consistently returning to Chicago neighborhoods with the greatest need, our goal over the next five years is to build lasting community partnerships, expand access to veterinary care, and contribute to a measurable reduction in preventable shelter intake at Chicago Animal Care & Control.