When I founded Young at Heart in 2005, it was a dream to open an adoption center just for senior pets. There were zero resources for senior pets in the Chicagoland area at the time, and people thought the idea of rescuing and rehoming senior pets was a bit crazy. But as soon as I rescued our very first senior dog, Peaches, there was no going back. This organization was so needed!

Through the years, with the help of amazing volunteers, and then eventually an amazing staff as well, Young at Heart grew little by little and we eventually purchased 8 acres in Woodstock IL. With lots of hard work, the support of a lot of generous donors, and a lot more hard work, we opened the first adoption center just for senior pets in Northern IL in 2019. 

We had only been open a handful of months when the pandemic hit. We were still adjusting to being in a new building after being foster-based for so many years, and all the plans we had to share our dream home with the public came to a crashing halt. All in-person events were cancelled, all the fun out-and-about social events we were to have with our senior pets in our new community were cancelled, and all the on-site events to help our senior pets find loving homes were cancelled. Since the start of the pandemic, our incredibly dedicated little staff has still been here every day, caring for the senior pets that need us and still finding them loving homes.

But donations for 2020 are down across the board. We need your help to raise the funds so that we don't have to turn away the senior pets that need us in the coming months because we don't have the funds to responsibly care for them. Our goal is to raise $50,000 for GivingTuesday 2020. Every single dollar makes a difference here. $1 provides a day of medication for one of our seniors. $1000 provides all the vet care needed to get one senior pet ready for adoption. We know not everyone is in a position to give right now, and we understand. If you are unable to donate, please share with those who may be able to. We are grateful for every donation, no matter what size.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Dawn Kemper

Founder & Executive Director
Young at Heart Senior Pet Adoptions