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Animal Control Dogs Get Some Much-Needed Play Space

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The dogs at Chicago Animal Care and Control are getting some new space - donated, fenced play lots - aimed at keeping them healthier and getting them adopted.

A dog's life at Chicago Animal Care and Control means sitting in a cage and barking at other dogs in cages.

Now, it also includes playtime in new fenced-in play lots.

"The end result of this is more lives saved, period," said Aimee Sadler, who is in town training the staff to oversee the dogs. "That's the goal."

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"Everybody feels so badly for animals that are sheltered. Many of them are going to go nuts while they're here. There's a term - kennel craze - dogs that you see just behaviorally deteriorate right in front of your eyes before they find a home. And then, as they're getting more and more frustrated, they look less and less appealing to people who come in and try to select a dog for their family.

"Being able to provide an outlet like this - play groups - actually keeps the animals more stable while they're sheltered."

Right now, Animal Care and Control has about 35 dogs up for adoption.

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