Success Stories

Stories to Warm Your Heart

12-year old terminally ill stray receives the care needed to live out her days in comfort

This is Cricket. She was brought to the safety of DuPage County Animal Services as a stray, her fur matted and overgrown. She had been found aimlessly wandering around a business parking lot.

If that wasn't bad enough for poor Cricket, a caretaker at the shelter realized pretty quickly that Cricket had numerous lumps on her underside. After a medical exam by Dr. Hanek, Veterinarian Administrator, it was learned she had mammary masses and a hernia in addition to a number of other medical challenges.

Cricket is another miracle dog that Dr. Hanek, Dr. Von Waldau, and the amazing shelter staff helped provide advanced medical care to. And thanks to donors of DuPage Animal Friends, animals like Cricket have a safe place to go to receive the care they so desperately need.

Thank you, donors, for believing so deeply in the work of DuPage County Animal Services and DuPage Animal Friends. We are grateful you are a part of Cricket's journey.

Thankfully, a wonderful rescue group and friend of DAF, Chi-Town Pitties, agreed to take Cricket, renamed Maxi into their program and care for her. Maxi will live out her life in the comfort of her foster family's home, taking walks on the beach and mastering the skill of couch hogging.

"I don’t know if Cricket has days, weeks, or months left but I do know that she’s gotten the care she desperately needed and she’ll live out her life like she deserves...in comfort and surrounded by love."
~ Lynette, Chi-Town Pitties

Cricket received the advanced medical care she so desperately needed at DuPage County Animal Services

Harvey receives a second chance - just in time

Harvey arrived at DuPage County Animal Services just in time. In early summer, a good samaritan had found this stray cat mangled up outside. His body was lifeless and smelled like death upon arrival at the animal shelter.

Dr. Barbara Hanek, DCAS’s Veterinarian Administrator, rushed to save Harvey. She treated an infection in his mouth and ear and also surgically removed infected teeth, an ear polyp, and one of Harvey’s eyes. Slowly, Harvey recovered from his injuries in a loving foster home.

Thanks to Dr. Hanek and her team, and the lifesaving resources made available to DCAS, Harvey has transformed into a healthy, happy, and lively cat! He was adopted by a wonderful family and is now enjoying the good life he deserves.

DuPage County Animal Services (DCAS) is about doing everything possible to give adoptable animals a second chance at life. They save animals and serve the people of our community with compassion.

Sweet Kali gets the surgery she needs to be a playful pup again!

Kali, one of thirteen puppies found abandoned in a field on Thanksgiving morning, ended up needing a lot more help from DuPage County Animal Services and DuPage Animal Friends than originally expected. All of the puppies ultimately needed foster homes and ringworm treatments. Unfortunately, Kali was also having some trouble with lameness in one of her legs.

When the lameness continued, Dr. Hanek examined little Kali and discovered the poor gal was in a lot of pain. After trying medication, to no avail, Kali received x-rays and it was found that she was suffering from elbow dysplasia. The only way to resolve Kali's pain was corrective orthopedic surgery. Without surgery, her elbow dysplasia would result in permanent lameness, extensive arthritis and chronic pain. Shelter staff did not want Kali to be in pain and they were determined to help her.

Thanks to YOU, the caring donors of DuPage Animal Friends, Kali was able to get the surgery and the medication she needed to help her live a happier and pain free life. Kali's surgery was successful and a couple weeks later had her stitches removed! Thanks to Pittie Please Rescue, Kali gets to recover in a foster home! Kail's foster mom said she is recovering very well and can't wait to be able to play again.

Beautiful Kali can't wait to be bouncing around like a pup again!

Snickers Finds His Hero: Age is Not a Disease

Last year, a very old Dachshund named Snickers was surrendered to DuPage County Animal Services after his owner passed away. Snickers was in pretty sorry shape with a heart murmur, multiple masses, and rotten teeth. He was given only months to live. Snickers Finds His Hero Age is Not a Disease

Dogs like Snickers are hard to rehome. People normally want young, active dogs with which they can spend a lifetime. Snickers might have lived his remaining days in a shelter, but thankfully he encountered Susan. In fact, as soon as Susan saw Snickers' picture and heard of his troubles, she rushed to adopt him.

Deciding Snickers had too much spunk for his grim prognosis, Susan made an appointment with her veterinarian who made a bold decision to perform a dental even though Snickers had many serious health risks. Snickers came through the procedure with flying colors, and thanks to the loving care of Susan, he lived to see his one-year adopt-aversary! Snickers and his fur brother even came by the shelter for a visit and to pass out treats to DCACC staff to celebrate Snickers' one year of living and loving life. Soon after his visit, though, Snickers' health began to decline. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family.

Adopters like Susan have such generous spirits, looking past the gray faces and into the animals' loving hearts. They know that while some pets do not have years left, they certainly have many precious moments to share. Donors like you help DCACC care for animals who would otherwise not receive a second chance at life. Thank YOU!

Donor-funded Medical Equipment Saves Lives: Peanut's Story

Peanut was found in the frigid cold one winter evening in DuPage County. He was severely hypothermic and dehydrated. His temperature was so low that Dr. Hanek, DCACC Administrator Veterinarian, could not even get a reading on the thermometer.

But soon after receiving intravenous fluids and being warmed by the Bair Hugger, Peanut stirred to life. The Bair Hugger is one of the shelter's newest pieces of medical equipment. It could not have been procured without the generosity of the Rotary Club of Glen Ellyn and donors like YOU who supported the animals during the DuPage Human Race in April.

Peanut recovered in a foster home and is now enjoying life with his forever family.

Peanut's life was saved thanks to donor-funded medical equipment.

From Homeless to Adopted, Rubeus Finds a Forever Family

Lee met Rubeus in August at NBC's Clear the Shelters event at DCACC. She and her son, Lance, were not expecting to fall in love with a pup, especially after recently losing their beloved dog. But Rubeus quickly grabbed ahold of their hearts and wouldn't let go.

Thanks to donors of DuPage Animal Friends, pets like Rubeus received fee-waived adoptions at this wonderful event to help find forever homes and free up life-saving cage kennel space for other dogs in need.

Rubeus bonded to Lee right away. The first night in his new home, Rubeus used his dog bed like a springboard to jump onto Lee's bed. He proceeded to plant his head in Lee's pillow, and wouldn't let her out of his sight. Sure, Lee chose to bring Rubeus home, but ultimately, Rubeus chose her.

Lee meets Rubeus for the first time at the Clear the Shelter event.

Pearl's 11-Month Wait: No Animal has a Deadline

Some animals get adopted lickety-split. And some wait and wait and wait. Such was the case with Pearl. This 8-year-old beauty, who was surrendered because of her family's allergies, had some obstacles. Although sweet and friendly, Pearl didn't enjoy the company of other pets. So, the adoption floor at the shelter was not an option.

DCACC volunteer Kathi lovingly stepped forward to foster Pearl in her home. Months later, more good fortune came Pearl's way when a wonderful woman decided that they were the perfect match! Donors like you make it possible to provide reduced-fee adoptions to help place pets into new homes.

While it took 11 months to rehome Pearl, it's a testament to DCACC and DuPage's pet-loving community's commitment to saving homeless animals. Please help animals today by making a donation to DuPage Animal Friends. Thank you for your compassion.

Lil' Jeffie: From Tragedy to Triumph

Lil' Jeffie, a stray beagle, was hit by a car in DuPage County and was in desperate need of surgery. Through DuPage Animal Friends' Critical Care & Rehabilitation Fund and others in the community, Jeffie received the urgent medical care he needed.

Thankfully, this young dog healed like a hero, and was placed up for adoption.

Jeffie is a true example of all facets of the rescue community working together to save animals. First, DuPage County Animal Care & Control took Jeffie into their care. Then VCA Arboretum View Animal Hospital provided more than the routine stabilization care after the car accident. After that Lombard Veterinary Hospital sourced a surgical specialist and handled his daily care, pain management, boarding and foster home.

Finally, Belly Up For Adoptions welcomed Jeffie into their adoption program. Within a few weeks, the perfect family for this sweet beagle was found. Jeffie now lives with two other dogs and has a huge backyard in which to play and run free!

Max and Martin: The True Meaning of Forgiveness

These two felines exemplify the true meaning of forgiveness. Abused by their owners, the two were surrendered to Animal Control officers who intervened after being alerted to their injuries.

Suffering from multiple broken bones and dislocations, Max and Martin underwent several corrective surgeries and long hospital stays on their road to recovering – purring through it all. DCACC and DuPage Animal Friends joined forces to ensure these boys received all the medical attention and care needed to give them a second chance at life.

Max and Martin have since made a full recovery thanks to generous donors of DuPage Animal Friends.

Mimi Receives Life-Saving Surgery Thanks to Donors

Mimi was surrendered to DCACC because her owners were moving and could not take her with them. After examining Mimi, it was clear that she had a major hip problem, causing her much pain. Mimi needed surgery, but first she had to lose weight.

She spent weeks in a loving foster home. Upon reaching an ideal weight, donors of DuPage Animal Friends funded Mimi's life-saving surgery. During the procedure, the surgeon determined one of her legs needed to amputated for her to live a happy, pain-free life.

Mimi was adopted and is now living the good life with her new family. What's more is Mimi has lived in pain for years and never stopped being sweet. She is finally healthy, comfortable, pain-free, and super loved!

Shane's Enjoying a Hoppy Life Thanks to Donors

Thanks to the generous donors to DuPage Animal Friends' Critical Care & Rehabilitation Fund, Shane received surgery to relieve a painful, long-suffering dental issue. He is now enjoying a hoppy life with his new family.

Max is Pain-free and Loving Life Now

Five-month-old Max arrived at DuPage County Animal Care & Control with an eye injury that caused him great pain. Through DuPage Animal Friends' Critical Care & Rehabilitation Fund, Max was able to receive an emergency eye removal surgery. He was transferred to rescue where he recovered like a champ!

Porkchop Received Corrective Surgery to Live His Best Life

Porkchop was diagnosed with a condition where his eyelids turned inward, creating extreme eye irritation. Through DuPage Animal Friends' Critical Care & Rehabilitation Fund, Porkchop was able to get the corrective surgery necessary to be healthy. He has been adopted and his family gave him a new name, Tank!

Raven Receives Life-Saving Heart Surgery

This adorable girl arrived at DCACC as a 3-month-old floppy-eared German Shepherd puppy. After being saved from the streets by the Darien Police where she was found alone in a McDonald’s parking lot, it was discovered that she was suffering from a hernia.

While undergoing a procedure to correct the hernia, a severe heart murmur was also discovered. Since DCACC lacks the diagnostic equipment to diagnose the cause of the heart murmur, Raven was brought to a nearby animal hospital where further diagnostic tests were performed.

Results showed Raven was suffering from a congenital heart defect that can be fatal if not surgically corrected. Like any surgery, it can be risky. But if successful, the long term prognosis very good.

Through the Critical Care & Rehabilitation Fund, Raven received cutting-edge surgery to correct her heard defect at Purdue University. Raven is now living the good life with her family in Wisconsin where she is enjoying her happy, healthy life on her family’s many acres of land.

Donors made it possible for Raven to continue living. Thank you!