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WEST LOOP — As immigration raids ramp up in Chicago, West Loop dog walker Candice Nelson grabbed her phone and recorded a simple message: If you’re afraid to leave home, she’ll walk your dog — for free. > View this post on Instagram > > A post shared by Candice (@westloopdognanny) The post spread fast, not just to pet owners, but to volunteers across the city who have now offered to do the same to help neighbors who fear being taken by federal agents if they go outside. Nelson wouldn’t consider herself an activist, but as such fear continues to spread across the city, she felt called to find a way she can contribute, she said. “I really just feel like this is the least that I could do to help because, other than that, I’m just kind of just sitting here on the sidelines,” Nelson said. “Animals are very important to families. If I can help someone, even if it’s just one person, I’m more than willing to do that.” Nelson launched her dog-walking business nearly three years ago after losing her job in the fashion industry. What began as gig work through apps like Rover, Instacart and Uber Eats quickly turned into a full-time career caring for pets across Chicago. A dog owner, Nelson now works independently out of her West Loop apartment, providing walking, boarding and sitting services and carrying her own insurance. She said she feels grateful to make a living surrounded by animals and the loyal clients who trust her with their pets. “That’s what I want to do. I want to give [dogs] the best experience. That’s why I don’t have a life — I just dedicate my life to the dogs. It’s very all-or-nothing,” Nelson said. Since posting her video Sunday, Nelson has had one person reach out for help. That person was looking for help walking the dog of a parent who is too scared to leave their home. The Trump administration’s focus on deportation has had an effect on pets, with families surrendering their pets or animals being unintentionally abandoned as their owners are deported. Since June 10, when Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control began tracking pet surrenders related to deportations, the agency has taken in 25 dogs and six cats, according to an August article in Forbes. Los Angeles was targeted for an immigration enforcement surge this summer. Candace Nelson has her own dog walking and nanny business in the West Loop. Credit: Provided In Denver, nonprofit We Matter 2 Pet Rescue, told Forbes it has helped rehome and foster 85 pets since the Trump administration took office in January. And in Chicago, an Animal Care and Control representative said the agency started to see pets surrendered due to deportations on Sept. 30, almost three weeks into intensified immigration enforcement in Chicago. Since then, the agency has had two dogs and three cats surrendered because of immigration enforcement. Nelson said she hopes her services can help owners avoid being separated from their pets. Since her video went viral, she’s started a WhatsApp group with other dog walkers who also expressed interest in helping. They work on different sides of the city, creating a small network of volunteers. The network is still in its early stages, but Nelson hopes to create something that can be lasting. “Hopefully this will come to an end, you know, having these federal agents in our city. … Maybe beyond this, we can maintain a network where we can help those who are in hospitals. Or, you know, they’re just unable to take their animals out consistently or care for them,” Nelson said. Those who need help can email Nelson at hello@westloopdognanny.com or can send her a message on Instagram or TikTok. * * * **Support Local News!** **Subscribe to Block Club Chicago, **an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods. Already subscribe? **Click here to gift a subscription** , or you can**support Block Club with atax-deductible donation.** **Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast:** Listen OnApple PodcastsListen OnGoogle PodcastsListen OnSpotify Meet The ICE Resistance — Cameras, Whistles, And Neighborhood Rapid Response Teams Episode play icon Meet The ICE Resistance — Cameras, Whistles, And Neighborhood Rapid Response Teams Episode play icon Judge Blocks Trump’s National Guard Push Into Chicago — For Now Episode play icon The Most Chicago Thing That’s Ever Happened To Me Was _____ Episode play icon Babe’s Giving Women’s Sports Fans In Chicago A Place To Call Home Episode play icon Private Fences Put Up Around A Public Park — And Neighbors Aren’t Happy Load More Search Results placeholder Previous Episode Show Episodes List Next Episode Show Podcast Information

**In America, we don’t put up with would-be kings.** Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger and stronger. “NO KINGS” is more than just a slogan—it’s the foundation our nation was built upon. Bo...