Blog — Category_Social_Mission

5 Things to Know About Rescue Dogs Dogs are man’s best friend, but a lot of pups are still looking for a home. If you are thinking about adopting a four-footed companion, here are five things to know about rescue dogs.   There are a lot dogs in animal shelters Each and every year, approximately 3.3 million dogs are taken in by animal shelters. The annual shelter adoption rate for dogs is about 1.6 million per year, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. That means at any given time there are millions of dogs...

Shelter Dogs: How Can We Help? Here at SparkySteps, it’s no surprise that we absolutely love dogs! When we heard that some of Chicago’s animal shelters were overcrowded to the point of possible euthanization, we just couldn’t believe it. We all know about how canine companions can enrich our lives, almost as much as we enrich theirs. But when thinking of adopting a dog, many wonder why they should look at shelters and rescues. So we’ve compiled a list of 4 reasons you should adopt a shelter dog, and 4 things you can do if you aren’t quite ready to adopt. Why...

Updated 12/24/2025 The Gift of a Second Chance: 3 Reasons to Adopt a Shelter Pet Choosing to bring a new pet into your home is a life-changing decision. While many people gravitate toward breeders or pet stores, there is a world of incredible companions waiting for their "forever" moment in local shelters. At Sparky Steps, we believe in Community Commitment and Compassionate Care. When you choose to adopt, you aren't just getting a pet—you’re joining a movement. Here are three compelling reasons why your next best friend is waiting at a shelter.  1. You Save Two Lives at Once It...

Sparky Steps - Chicago Pet Sitters on a Social Mission My name is Michael Jaurigue and I'm the Founder here at Sparky Steps. We started this company with a mission, a social mission. To help with the issue of animal homelessness. Before we opened up, my co-founder, Laurie and I would go and volunteer at the local animal shelters. I realized that volunteering was easy and fun! It was sad for us to see so many pups without homes. That's when we decided to do something about it. We created Sparky Steps to create a place for people who really...