Gloria Lissner

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Gloria Lissner is the passionate Founder and Executive Director of Famous Fido Rescue and Adoption Alliance, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Chicago. With over five decades of dedication to animal welfare, Gloria has been rescuing homeless dogs and cats since 1975 - long before “rescue” was a household term. Her journey began when, at just 18, she opened a grooming shop and later the renowned Famous Fido Doggie Deli. Witnessing boarded animals abandoned or left behind, Gloria felt compelled to act. By collaborating with Chicago shelters and founding Famous Fido Rescue, she created a place focused on animals deemed “unadoptable” from high‑kill shelters - especially seniors, special‐needs, or trauma‑affected animals. Under Gloria’s leadership, Famous Fido has grown into a state‑of‑the‑art, no‑kill sanctuary with a Learning Center, micro‑chipping and spay/neuter initiatives, and educational programs for adopters and the public. She instituted a comprehensive adoption process, including interviews and home checks, to ensure safe, lasting matches. Gloria believes that Chicago can become a model no‑kill city through united outreach, advocacy, and responsible guardianship. She devotes herself entirely to this mission, drawing on experience, compassion, and a bold vision, to rescue animals deserving of love, respect, and forever homes.