Young at Heart Pet Rescue

About Us

We are a 501(c)3, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the rescue and rehoming of senior dogs and cats age 5 years old and older.

In April of 2005, Young At Heart Pet Rescue was formed to aid in the rescue and rehoming of older dogs and cats in the Chicagoland area. 100% of the animals we rescue come from open-admission shelters with high euthanasia rates for older animals. Our mission is to find a new home for every adoptable animal that comes through our door, to educate the public on the benefits of adopting older pets, and to decrease the euthanasia rate for older dogs and cats in Illinois.

Each dog or cat that we rescue receives the best veterinary care, and we do not turn away animals that need a little extra medical attention. All of our pets are vaccinated, tested for infectious diseases, microchipped, spayed/neutered, receive a geriatric screening, and most receive a dental. We also provide other treatments to enhance any senior pet’s adoptability- we have lumps removed, even if they are benign. We treat allergies, heartworm, thyroid ailments, provide prescription food. We do whatever it takes to help senior pets find their forever homes. And when their medical needs prove to be too daunting to our adoption program, they are not euthanized at Young at Heart. They find their happily ever after in one of our licensed Sanctuary Homes, where they are loved and cared for like one of the family while we provide all their medical care.

We are a non-profit 501c3 volunteer-based organization that operates with a small army of dedicated volunteers. Dogs are housed in licensed foster homes, and our cats reside in a cageless adoption area donated by Best Friends Pet Care or our adoption center within Petco in Lake Zurich. We receive no federal or state funding, and rely solely on the generosity of pet-lovers like you, fundraisers, and grants to support our mission and our rescued animals.

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