PAWS Chicago rescues dog found in cardboard box, gives her a second chance

CHICAGO - PAWS Chicago's no-kill animal shelter works closely with the Chicago Animal Care and Control to save homeless pets.

Today we have another example of how that collaboration, combined with PAWS Chicago's amazing medical center, is giving abandoned and sick pets a second chance at life.

What we know:

Six-year-old Wanda can now play tug of war with the best of them. That's because she has gained back all of her strength after a dangerous infection that required lifesaving surgery.

Chicago Animal Care and Control found Wanda in horrible condition, sleeping in a cardboard box.

When she was rushed to the PAWS Chicago medical center, they discovered her situation was critical as a result of a severe infection.

PAWS vets performed emergency surgery and discovered she had sepsis. The infection had reached her bloodstream, and as a result, it was starting to affect her organs.

Wanda survived the surgery, but was not out of the woods just yet. 

For one week, it was touch and go as she underwent a series of treatments with antibiotics and fluids to try to control an enlarged heart.

After several weeks of tender love and care, a cardiologist determined Wanda and her heart were finally back to normal.

What we don't know:

Details about Wanda's life before being found in the cardboard box are unclear. We don't know how she became abandoned or what led to her condition.

What's next:

Wanda is now a happy, healthy, bouncy little dog, ready for that second chance of life that PAWS Chicago provides to so many homeless pets.

And her story has another happy ending. Her first day at the adoption center, she immediately found a new home and was rescued on the very same day. Wanda’s new family renamed her Polly.

What you can do:

If you would like to donate, volunteer, foster and adopt a loving pet from PAWS Chicago, go to PawsChicago.org.