Humane society came a long way

Happy 30th birthday to the Naperville Area Humane Society.

As a "founding father" and still an active volunteer, I would like to thank the hundreds of volunteers (past and present), our wonderful staff and especially Ardis McCallion. Thirty years ago she had a dream because Naperville had nothing to help animals - no shelter, no animal control. If one found a stray animal, that person was on his own.

Cleo Keller was the first to answer the ad to start the humane society. Wow, we have come a long way helping thousands of animals get a second chance to a permanent home.

We continue to preach spay or neuter each and every animal. We have expanded our programs to include teaching the youth to be kind and respectful to animals. To all of you who have helped us in anyway and continue to support us - big or small - thank you.

It took a very special town to make that dream a reality at 1620 W. Diehl Road.

Candy Knippenberg

Naperville