Shopping Local: Area Animal Shelters

If you are thinking about adding a furry friend to your household this holiday season. I beg of you to please DON'T shop, ADOPT. Even though I am writing this article on shopping local, I want everyone to know that there are other options than "shopping" at a pet store, backyard breeder or puppy mill. In fact right here in Kendall County we have many different rescue and adoption groups. 

The way rescue groups operate is they first get calls from kill shelters letting them know of certain pets that were brought in and will be euthanized shortly. The rescue group then sends out a volunteer to the shelter to evaluate the pet and if it meets the requirements of their group they rescue it and place it in a foster home. The volunteer foster home teaches the pet many things. Dog learn "good dog manners" such as house-breaking, basic commands and that they are a loved member of family. Cats are often given up for behavioral issues and those issues are evaluated at the foster home and often times corrected.

When you meet the pet in the foster home, you are seeing the pet as they normally are. The foster home can tell you about certain quirks or character of that pet and helps you decide if that pet is right for your household. The goal of all rescue groups is to find forever homes for as many pets as they can. Not only are you interviewing the pet, but the foster home is deciding if your home, schedule and lifestyle is right for that pet. 

Right here in Kendall county there are several place you can adopt the love of your life. 

• Kendall County Animal Control
• Greater Chicago Cavalier Rescue
• Sita's dog sanctuary and Chihuahua Rescue
• Eye on the Sparrow
• Kendal County Pet Haven
• Jelly Stone Bark Rescue Rangers
• Paws and Purrs
• Recycled Rotts
• Just Animals Shelter
• Illinois Animal Rescue
• Tay's Strays
• Help Save pets
• Western Irish Setter Club Rescue

My business, Home Sweet Home pet services would be more than happy to help you evaluate a new pet from a shelter or non-foster home facility at no charge. I too want to see more pets adopted and less pets purchased from pet stores and puppy mills.