A helping paw, er, hand
Arleen Braun would gladly hand over her last dollar to give one animal rescue a fighting chance.
The 68-year-old retiree is the president and founder of Four Paws Animal Foundation, a Bartlett-based rescue group that finds homes for abandoned and stray cats.
It's a nonprofit organization that stretches its few resources and relies on all kinds of charity.
One of the most welcome contributions has come from Arlene Rodriguez. The veterinarian carved out space just for Four Paws at her new Hanover Park Animal Care Center.
Braun said it's the only hospital in the immediate area that she knows of that will house rescued animals.
"It was such a wonderful surprise when Dr. Rodriguez offered the build the space," Braun said.
The "cat house" accommodates eight friendly felines who would otherwise be living at volunteers' homes.
"Anything we can do to help," Rodriguez said. "I have a long relationship with Four Paws and thought this could be great exposure for them."
Rodriguez also provides groups like Four Paws, which could never afford its own shelter, with discounts on the inevitable exams, tests, vaccines, deworming and neutering a rescue undergoes.
A white domestic shorthair named Mork alone recently ran up an $800 tab between ER visits and the X-rays, tests, medicine and other treatment for a case of feline distemper.
Not all rescued cats can be nursed back to health, a reality that brings Braun to tears. But Mork, who was found with littermate Mindy at eight weeks by DuPage Animal Control, is recuperating nicely at Braun's home.
"You know, Four Paws goes all out to make sure the kitties are healthy and taken care of," Rodriguez said. "And any financial help enables them to foster more little ones that might be put down elsewhere."
Four Paws started 12 years ago as a trap, neuter and release program for feral cats. Costly and not particularly rewarding for Braun, the focus shifted to rescue work in 2004.
Since then, Four Paws has taken in about 350 cats. Only 15 have yet to be placed in homes.
Aside from Rodriguez and her care center, Four Paws relies on nearly 25 committed volunteers to take care of the cats. The eight dedicated cages at the care center are relatively roomy -- fortunate for Cisco, Ashley, Candy Apple, Pety and other cats who've all awaited adoption for a few months.
Four Paws' fundraisers are limited to a yearly flea market, pet photos with Santa over the holidays, biannual pet contests, car washes and bake sales.
Most funds come from membership dues, adoption fees and unsolicited donations. A surprise $4,000 grant came five years ago from Petsmart and a state program.
To cover costs, Braun and other volunteers frequently open their own pocketbooks, as well as their homes, which have to be licensed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
Braun knows her retirement would be much tamer if she were to stop, but the former law office worker is committed to the rescue effort.
She's taken in days-old kittens requiring around-the-clock feedings. She once went out for her morning newspaper to find a pair of kittens in a box, along with a $25 donation.
She even upgraded her trailer to a single-family home a few years ago, partly to give the rescues and her own pets a playroom in the basement.
"There's a little angel on my shoulder telling me it's the right thing to do," Braun said. "I keep trying to knock her off, but she won't leave. I guess it's what I'm meant to do."
Thinking about adopting a cat?
What: Four Paws Animal Foundation-hosted meet-and-greet with rescued cats.
When: The next one is 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, but they're typically held every second and fourth Saturday of the month. Appointments can also be made.
Where: Hanover Park Animal Care Center, 1920 Ontarioville Road.
Cost: Adoption fees range from $55 for adult cats to $125 for kittens; applications available at the care center.
Information: Call Four Paws at (630) 289-0478.