Fund Raiser To Save Homeless Dogs

By Carol Flynn

The best way to understand and appreciate the work of the Blue Island Stray Dog Project (BISDP) is to consider some of its case studies.

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Hero was a mixed breed dog that someone threw into the Cal-Sag Channel to drown. He was rescued by the Blue Island Police Department (BIPD), but he was so traumatized he wouldn't allow people to handle him. His future looked bleak, but the volunteers of the BISDP refused to give up on him. They worked with him to restore his trust in humans, and today, Hero, with the new name of Jack, is living in a condo on South Shore Drive.

Baskina was an emaciated young Husky, barely past puppy stage, who was rescued from the street by the BIPD. A few days after being brought in, before she could even have a veterinarian visit, she gave birth to six puppies in the BIPD garage. This was the first time the BISDP volunteers acted as midwives. Mother and puppies are thriving, but if Baskina had had those puppies out on the street, the outcome would have been dismal.

Since it was founded in 2018, the BISDP has helped hundreds of dogs.

The BISDP is a group of volunteers who care for the stray dogs that are rounded up off the streets of the city of Blue Island by the BIPD and kept in kennels in the BIPD garage.

These volunteers provide daily upkeep including cleaning the kennels and walking and feeding the dogs. They arrange for, and take the dogs to, veterinarian and grooming appointments. They give them their medications, and nurture them through this upsetting time.

Most importantly, they work hard to find hew homes for the dogs who are not reunited with their owners.

BISDP is funded through donations, in-kind services, sales of merchandise, and the countless hours of work provided by these volunteers.

BISDP will hold its fourth annual fundraiser, Ruff Around Blue Island, on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Rock Island Public House, 13328 Olde Western Avenue, Blue Island. The event is free and open to the public.

The money collected through this event furthers the mission of the organization to provide a safe haven and compassionate care for these stray dogs that are found roaming the streets of Blue Island.

Expenses include bedding and kennel set-ups; sanitation supplies; food, supplements, and treats; harnesses and leashes; and toys and other enrichment items. Veterinary care, medications, and surgeries are major expenses, as well as grooming needs.

Featured at Ruff Around Blue Island will be dozens of raffle baskets that will include Bears tickets, a 65" TV, lotto tickets, many restaurant gift cards, and loads of gift items.

There will also be split-the-pot and BISDP merchandise for sale, including T-shirts, hoodies, and hats.

There will be a bin for donated dog items.

Monetary donations and payments can be made by cash, check, PayPal, and Zelle, through the email address blueislandstrays@gmail.com.

The volunteers of BISPD will be at Ruff Around Blue Island to discuss the organization, its mission, operations, and outcomes, and volunteering opportunities.

Pictures of and information on the dogs currently up for adoption or fostering through the BISDP will be available at the event. Additional dogs are always being brought in, and to make room for them, it's necessary to find homes for the dogs as quickly and safely as possible.

BISDP activities and the dogs currently in their care can be viewed on the Facebook page for the Blue Island Stray Dog Project or the website blueislandstrays.org. They can be contacted at blueislandstrays@gmail.com.

Last year, the Internal Revenue Service approved BISDP as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization, so donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.