Chicagoland Exotic Animal Rescue

RESCUE

REHABILITATE

REHOME

EDUCATE

CLEAR’s mission is to rescue and rehabilitate abandoned and stray bird, reptile, and fish species that are commonly found in the pet trade, and rehome them to a household that will be the very best fit for their needs. CLEAR also strives to educate the community about the unique care needs of these uncommon pets.

   
   
   

Our History

CLEAR was first conceptualized by Jessica Katz during her graduate program at Regis University. After procuring a Bachelor’s Degree in animal science and wildlife biology, Jessica received a Master’s Degree in nonprofit management in 2012. Beginning with her first job in pet care at age 16, Jessica saw that there was a gap in the culture of how people cared for birds, reptiles, and fish: dogs and cats have multitudes of local and nationally-based rescue organizations, while exotic animals were often abandoned, illegally released, or relinquished to the few exotic animal organizations that were already at or beyond capacity. After rescuing her first parakeet from the woods in Michigan in 2015, an opportunity to facilitate change and promote a different kind of pet care culture presented itself. Several like-minded individuals came together in August of 2021 to form CLEAR’s founding board.

Donate Now

 

Or Get in Touch!

    Adoptables

     

    Quill

    Quill is a gentleman through and through! Found in Lake Forest in September, it is obvious that Quill was well …

    Cortado

    Cortado is one of multiple ball pythons rescued from being dumped at a forest preserve in Skokie. A Cook County Forest …

    Autumn

    Miss Autumn was found AROUND THE CORNER from our executive director's house in Andersonville- what a fortunate lady! We can't …

    Chickpea

    Chickpea looks like a little falafel ball! We all want to know why the Russian Tortoise tried to cross 18th Street …

    Bluey Tuesday & Charlie

    Tuesday, Bluey Tuesdayyyyyyyy 🎼 This sweet boy was found as an emaciated stray in June, and he's been doing so …

    Woody

    Miss Woody was found as a stray under a log at Harms Woods in Skokie- and we are forever grateful …

    Pepper

    Pepper is peppy as can be! This formerly stray lady is a Quadruple B- Bossy Blue Budgie Babe- and we wouldn't …

    Kate, Sprout, & Olive

    Gouldian Finches are the greatest! Kale (left, female), Sprout (center, male), and Olive (right, female) spark joy in everyone they …

    Gimli & Morwen

    Gimli and Morwen are a pair of parakeets who arrived at CLEAR right before the new year with their friends Eggolas …

    Our Board

     
    Jessica Katz
    Founder and Executive Director
    Krysten Baretto
    Board President
    Laura Koch
    Treasurer
    Lynn Hill
    Secretary
    Frieden Johnson
    Member at Large
    Anne Franco
    Member at Large