Unclogs for Dogs in Evanston: $5,000 and a Rally for Rescues Sponsorship for Paws and Claws

Our campaign is called Unclogs for Dogs. So why did our Evanston animal rescue donation go to a cat rescue?

Because the goal was never just dogs. The goal is local animals who need a hand, in the towns where we work. In Evanston, one of the groups doing that work best is Paws and Claws Cat Rescue.

This month, J. Blanton Plumbing gave $5,000 to Paws and Claws and sponsored Rally for Rescues, the rescue's yearly community fundraiser. On Saturday, October 17, we joined Paws and Claws and many other local vendors at Baker Park for an afternoon of fun, food, and cats looking for homes.

Here's what we gave, why we picked Paws and Claws, and how Evanston neighbors can keep helping.

What Did J. Blanton Plumbing Give to Paws and Claws?

J. Blanton Plumbing donated $5,000 to Paws and Claws Cat Rescue in Evanston and sponsored its Rally for Rescues fundraiser as part of the Unclogs for Dogs campaign. The funds help the rescue cover vet care, food, litter, and the daily costs of caring for cats until they're adopted.

For a small, donor-funded rescue, a gift like this can cover a lot of exams, vaccines, and meals.

Paws and Claws shared its thanks on Instagram the day before the event. The post thanked J. Blanton Plumbing for sponsoring Rally for Rescues and "giving a gift in support of our mission."

[DRAFT QUOTE] "Unclogs for Dogs has 'dogs' in the name, but it's really about the animals in our own neighborhoods," said Aizik Zimerman, CEO of J. Blanton Plumbing. "Paws and Claws saves cats that a lot of people overlook. We're proud to help them keep doing it in Evanston."

What Was Rally for Rescues?

Rally for Rescues is Paws and Claws Cat Rescue's annual community fundraiser at Baker Park in Evanston. The 2026 edition took place on Saturday, October 17, from 12 to 3 pm. J. Blanton Plumbing was a sponsor and joined the rescue and many other local vendors at the event.

The rally has become a local tradition. In past years, The Evanstonian described families gathering under tents on the lawn, live music, and kittens to meet. Entry fees go toward the cats' medical care and the rescue's foster program.

For us, it was a chance to meet our Evanston neighbors outside of a service call. As Paws and Claws put it in its post: "Together we are saving lives and building community."

Who Is Paws and Claws Cat Rescue?

Paws and Claws Cat Rescue is an Evanston nonprofit that rescues cats at risk of euthanasia, especially black cats, tabbies, and shy older cats. It started in 2020 as a foster-based program and opened an adoption center at 829 Chicago Avenue in 2023. It has rescued nearly 900 cats from six states.

That's according to a January 2026 profile in The Evanstonian, which also describes the rescue's storefront window, where people walking by can see adoptable cats. The rescue was founded by executive director Ashlynn Boyce.

Paws and Claws is also a community hub. Volunteers sign up for feeding and cleaning shifts, and the rescue hosts events like cat yoga and craft nights.

Why Is a Campaign Called Unclogs for Dogs Helping Cats?

Unclogs for Dogs is J. Blanton Plumbing's campaign to support local shelter animals through its drain service. Dogs gave the campaign its name, but the mission is local animals in need. In Evanston, that need is strongest at a cat rescue, so that's where our support went.

The campaign launched in 2025. Back then, every qualifying drain unclogging booked during the campaign meant 10 pounds of dog food for shelters. You can read about it in our Unclogs for Dogs launch story.

This year, we're naming our partners and picking the groups that do the most good in each community. Paws and Claws is our Evanston partner.

Why Do Small Rescues Like Paws and Claws Need Local Support?

Small rescues like Paws and Claws rely mostly on local donors, not big public budgets. When local giving drops, rescues have less room to take in at-risk animals. A steady base of community support helps them keep their doors open and their intake going.

The Evanstonian reported that donations to Paws and Claws fell in 2025 as many residents faced financial uncertainty. That's a tough spot for a rescue that takes in cats other shelters may not be able to keep.

The national picture shows why this work matters. The ASPCA's shelter statistics estimate that about 3 million cats entered U.S. shelters and rescues in 2025. Shelter Animals Count also found that non-live outcomes for cats rose 4% last year, even as they fell for dogs.

How Can Evanston Neighbors Keep Helping?

The easiest way to help is to book an Unclogs for Dogs service: unclog your drains for $93 and get a free sewer camera inspection. Your home gets taken care of, and you support local shelter animals at the same time. You can also visit Paws and Claws directly to adopt or volunteer.

Ways to pitch in:

• Book an Unclogs for Dogs service. Unclog your drains for $93 and get a free sewer camera inspection. Schedule your service online.
• Visit and adopt. Stop by the Paws and Claws adoption center on Chicago Avenue.
• Volunteer. Volunteers 18 and older can sign up for feeding or cleaning shifts.
• Mark your calendar. Rally for Rescues happens every year at Baker Park.

Conclusion

Paws and Claws gives Evanston's most overlooked cats a real shot at a home. Our $5,000 donation and Rally for Rescues sponsorship are a way to say thank you, and to help close the gap left by a tough year for local giving. Unclogs for Dogs started with dogs, but it was always about neighbors helping neighbors.

Want to help while you take care of your home? Unclog your drains for $93 and get a free sewer camera inspection in Evanston. Schedule your service online, or call 773-724-9272 any time, day or night. Make a Good Call.