PAWS Chicago: Clean Air for People and Pets

We spoke with William Naples, the Director of Animal Care Operations and Facilities Management at PAWS Chicago. This animal shelter -- a national leader in standards for animal welfare – welcomes guests and houses animals year-round. William works to make this environment safer and healthier for every human visitor, and every animal the shelter cares for. We spoke with William about the importance of clean air in PAWS’ Chicago facilities, for both people and pets.?

Why is air quality a concern in your facilities, for both animals and humans??

Air quality is of great concern to PAWS Chicago in preventing the spread of contagious illnesses and creating a welcoming environment. Especially during the pandemic, protecting against the spread of airborne germs and viruses has been essential to keeping our people and pets safe. Removing unwanted odors from the air is also crucial to maintaining a pleasant work environment for our volunteers and staff, as well as creating an inviting atmosphere for potential adopters and donors.?

What effects of poor air quality have you seen on the animals and/or humans at your facilities???

We’ve recently had a major influx of puppies, which means a major influx of smells. Though these unwanted odors aren’t necessarily harmful, they do have a major impact on our client experience and are taken as indicator of the overall care we give. Air purifiers help create an environment that’s more conducive to adoptions and donations, reflecting the exceptional standard we set in animal welfare.?

How do you anticipate the air purification systems positively impacting your facilities? If so, how?

This generous donation of 30 air purifiers is anticipated to boost contagious illness prevention efforts across our facilities, including the Lincoln Park Adoption Center and Blazer Training Center. We also expect a major reduction in unwanted odors, creating a more pleasant living environment for our animals, working environment for our staff and volunteers, adoption environment for new families, and a giving environment for potential donors.?