Help Save Pets was originally founded as the Humane Society of Plainfield in 2000 by our director Meg Kremer, wife of Dr. Anthony Kremer. Dr. Kremer would periodically be called to Joliet Animal control to euthanize animals that were unclaimed. The animals that were being euthanized were often viable, friendly and simply in need of somebody to help them get into a good new home. Dr. Kremer would at times bring these animals back to the Animal Care Center in Plainfield to see if a home could be found among the veterinary clinic clients. As the frequency of this practice increased, it became clear that a separate non for profit organization was needed to continue rescue work.

Since 2000, we have placed over 6,000 animals into loving homes. Each one of these animals was given shelter, food, medical aid and vaccinations and time to find the right home. Our doctors mended mutilated limbs and cured many illnesses so that these animals could get a second chance at good lives. We have grown and now operate out of 4 locations, not all of them in Plainfield. In 2008 we changed our name from the Humane Society of Plainfield to Help Save Pets, still HSP.

What exactly does HSP do?
We rescue desirable and healthy adult dogs and cats from pounds and shelters in mostly rural areas.

• Many government funded pounds and shelters, especially in rural areas, have an abundance of homeless animals and scarce cage space to house them. The demand for pets from these shelters is low and the kill rate is high.

We rescue puppies and kittens that most rescues will not.
• Many shelters, including other no kill rescues, will NOT take puppies or kittens under 3 months old because of their susceptibility to illness. Most are sadly put to death.

We rescue dogs and cats with curable health problems.
• Many adult animals with curable health problems (some serious, including Heartworm positive dogs) are restored to health and offered for adoption.

We take pregnant and nursing moms with their babies.
• We find foster homes for them to raise their young in a safe environment. Pounds put these moms and their babies down immediately because of the risk of illness, extra work and additional space involved with caring for them.

We work closely with Will County and Joliet Township Animal Control to help reduce the kill rate of animals locally.

We sponsor an Illinois Dept of Agriculture Humane Investigator, who serves our geographic area and investigates cruelty complaints.

We offer training and behavioral counseling to assist in the transition of adopted animals into new homes.

Help Save Pets is dedicated to our mission of saving and finding homes for dogs and cats about to be euthanized at animal control facilities. Our unique structure allows us to run an effective rescue at minimal expense, with the majority of our funds directly used for the care of dogs and cats. We are proud to share our financial and statistical information with our friends, volunteers and donors. If you are considering donating to us, you'll find that your donation will be put to good use saving homeless animals from death.

Financials:

We have no expenses for faculties, salaries or utilities, and our income comes from adoption donations and contributors as shown below.

Simply stated, in 2009:

• 90% (Medical Expense) of our expenses were to help prepare pets for adoption with spay/neuter surgery, vaccines and treating illness when they occur.
• 10% (Other Expense) were for overhead including printing, postage, fundraising expenses, web site, office supplies, auditor (required by law) and maintaining our aging van.
• 75% of our income is raised from adoption donations when animals are adopted.
• 25% of our income is raised through contributions from our supporters, both private and corporate, fundraising events and the purchase of items from our thrift shop.

Statistics

Statistics are maintained starting in the year 2000 when the Humane Society in Plainfield (now Help Save Pets) was founded.

The definition of a no kill shelter is one which does not put a time limit on how long an adoptable animal can be sheltered and is cared for until a home is found.

• It should be noted that we do treat and rehabilitate many animals suffering from illnesses, such as heartworm positive dogs, dogs and cats with upper respiratory infections and internal parasites for example. Also, our efforts at rehabilitation also extend to assisting behaviorally challenged animals adapt and adjust to allow their placement in a forever home.

However:

• There is a percentage of animals received at any shelter which are found to be suffering from injuries, congenital defects or untreatable illness and either die or are humanely euthanized to avoid further suffering.
• Also, those animals that do not successfully respond to behavioral modification and exhibit potentially dangerous behaviors unfortunately must be humanely euthanized for the safety and welfare of our volunteers and public.

An acceptable death rate at no kill shelters is about 10%. At Help Save Pets, from 2000 to 2009, our death rate is consistently at 5% and stays low because of our commitment of time, energy and financial resources to the animals.

A more detailed summary by year, showing our growth since 2000: