Dogs, humans step off from Montrose Harbor for 24th annual PAWS 5K fundraiser [Video]

CHICAGO (WLS) — With the snip of a ribbon, thousands of dog lovers and their four-legged best friend took a unified step on a crisp morning at Montrose Harbor to make a difference.

“It’s this community that’s saved so many pet lives in Chicago in the 27 years PAWS has been in operation,” said Susanna Wickham, the PAWS Chicago CEO.

Saturday morning marked the 24th annual PAWS 5K, a massive event bringing humans and pets alike to raise money for this critical organization.

PAWS Chicago is the Midwest’s largest no-kill animal welfare organization which works around-the-clock to save the lives of thousands of dogs across the city each year.

“We do the work day in and day out and in addition to our adoption program, we have a really robust spay/neuter program. We’re the largest free and low-cost spay and neuter clinic in the city of Chicago,” said Wickham.

Dogs of all ages …