Gilberts-based animal rescues finds homes for pets

The experience of caring for a dying dog in his last days so profoundly moved a first-time foster "parent" that she's come back to Hoof Woof and Meow Animal Rescue to care for several more animals in need.

Her story parallels that of the Gilberts-based organization's vice president and fostering director Kellie Reed, who's been caring and advocating for animals since she was a child, when she was aiming for a career in animal sciences.

"The love of animals never left me," she said.

Reed's taken on active roles within the animal welfare community, though more as an avocation than a profession. Her career took her in a slightly different direction; she currently works as a physical therapy assistant.

"I fostered for a couple different organizations in our area," she said. "After a while, I decided to start our own rescue."

In September 2012, Reed partnered with several like-minded animal lovers, including the organization's current president, Stacy Pyrek, to officially form a nonprofit charitable organization that provides medical and foster care for animals in need of permanent homes.

Hoof Woof and Meow partners with Pyrek's business, Four Legs Pets, a boarding, grooming and doggy day care center with locations in Algonquin and Gilberts, Reed said.

There is no shelter; foster volunteers provide homes for the animals until they can be adopted. Reed and her fellow volunteers vaccinate for distemper, microchip animals with implantable pellets that carry contact information and shuttle animals to veterinarian appointments.

Reed, of Huntley, estimates that since its inception, the all-volunteer organization has helped place more than 400 dogs and cats in permanent homes. Though the name implies the organization cares for horses, too, that hasn't happened to date because the logistics and costs associated with housing horses are daunting.

"The 'hoof' part is a futuristic endeavor," she said, wistfully. "But we had a goat."

Newman, a goat found on the side of the road in southern Illinois near the scene of a fatal traffic accident, was transported to Hoof Woof and Meow.

"We found him a home with other goats," Reed said.

The organization takes in animals that have been injured, abused, abandoned or lost.

Many of the animals, including virtually all the cats, are from local sources. Hoof Woof and Meow also transports dogs, sometimes long distances, away from dire circumstances.

"We do get a lot of dogs from the south," Reed said. "It's the sheer number of animals they have coming through. We have better spay/neuter control and leash laws here. The need (in the south) is much greater."

Reed said dogs are transported by volunteers in short hops, sort of like a relay, until they arrive in Illinois.

"It's almost like a pony express for dogs," she said.

Dogs are quarantined when they first arrive so their health can be evaluated and problems can be treated, she said.

"Within 10 days, we get them to the vet, shots, spayed or neutered and we kind of learn about their personality," she said.

Reed said Hoof Woof and Meow's veterinarian has charitably agreed to help out.

"He helps quite a bit with the cost," she said. "He just charges us for the medicines. Most of our money goes toward medicines."

The no-kill organization's medical director, Katie King, is a certified veterinary chiropractor.

"She does a lot of adjustments for our dogs," Reed said. "We try to keep our treatments holistic."

Reed said foster volunteers are offered obedience classes for their dogs.

"We try to work through behavioral issues with them. We've got a pretty good group of fosters," she said.

The organization is currently working on raising funds to care for Evan, a German shepherd mix puppy who apparently suffered chemical burns. The pup is currently in Georgia, Reed said, but already an Illinois volunteer has stepped up to foster him when he arrives.

"His treatment will take months and months for him to recover," Reed said. "He's got a great spirit."

Reed said efforts also are currently underway to rehabilitate a Labrador who suffered a gunshot. And a pit bull that had been shot in the eye recently found a home through the organization.

The group recently rescued 13 dogs from a hoarding situation, she said. Eleven of the dogs had heartworm, a serious condition that requires treatment with a series of injections.

"We're really trying to devote efforts to taking care of sick and old dogs," Reed said.

Paige Slater is the organization's adoption director. She joined Hoof Woof and Meow in July 2013.

Though she has a full-time job apart from animal rescue, she said she finds time to devote to helping animals.

"I work seven days a week with rescue," she said.

She said she's motivated by the end result.

"It's finding amazing homes for these animals who are so deserving of it," Slater said.

Slater said potential adoptive pet parents are carefully screened.

"If they want to meet one of the dogs, they need to fill out an application," she said.

After an applicant is approved, adopters and animals meet, ideally in the presence of all family members, including other household pets.

"The foster will set up the meet and greet," Slater said.

"We make sure animals are going to homes that take good care of them," Reed said.

Adoption fees, along with charitable donations, help cover the organization's costs, Reed said.

The organization hosts several annual fundraising events, including Woofstock in July at Diamond Jim's in Dundee.

"We bring dogs to the beer garden and people get to meet them," Reed said.

Hoof Woof and Meow's next charity fundraiser is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9. The Barkin' for Bunco Party will be held at the American Legion Hall, 11712 W. Coral St., Huntley. Tickets are $35 by Oct. 1 and $40 at the door.

For details, visit www.hoofwoofmeow.org/.

If you go

What: Barkin' for Bunco, a fundraiser for Hoof Woof and Meow Animal Rescue

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9.

Where: American Legion Hall, 11712 W. Coral St., Huntley

Tickets: $40 at the door. Includes three games, beverages, buffet, prizes and raffle packages.

Details: visit <a href="http://www.hoofwoofmeow.org">www.hoofwoofmeow.org</a>/