WEST SUBURBAN HUMANE SOCIETY DOWNERS GROVE As I sit on the couch to write this issue’s column, I have my faithful companion and furry baby lying next to me. A source of great kisses, our mini-Goldendoodle, Gatsby – named after The Great Gatsby (of course!), never disappoints in arousing giggles from my children. He has our hearts. For those of you who feel the same way about your dog or cat, you know what I mean. So, following, my heart aches for our homeless furry pals. I wish I could give each one of them a loving home like ours. Luckily, we have the West Suburban Humane Society in Downers Grove to lend a paw.
The society is dedicated to operating a premier animal shelter for the purpose of finding safe, permanent and compatible homes to adopt domestic dogs and cats. They are also committed to educating and encouraging the public to humanely care for their canines and felines. WSHS is able to adopt out approximately 800 animals a year. “We treat every animal that comes in the door like it is our own personal animal,” says Carolyn Mossberger, Executive Director for WSHS. “Every dog and cat gets whatever medical attention they need to make them adoptable and help them find their forever home.”
Carolyn has been Executive Director for the past seventeen years, but has been involved in the organization since 1989. “I started out as a volunteer, and the more time I spent with the society, the more impressed I became with their values and the work they do,” explains Carolyn.
WSHS’s very fun and biggest fundraiser of the year, Barkapalooza Dog Walk and Pet Expo, is coming up Sunday, September 24th from 10am to 2pm at Lisle Community Park. It is an event for the whole family (including pup!) with a Barkapalooza Pet Parade, PAL Pups Scavenger Hunt, a kids craft zone, and good food. You can find more information on the event and/or sign-up to collect pledges for the walk at www.wshs-dg.org/news-events/bark-17.
The society has been putting this event on for the past 24 years and usually has over 500 people in attendance raising about $90,000 for our homeless friends.
If you can’t attend the event, consider the numerous other volunteering opportunities they have available for care, feeding and transportation of animals, as well as foster care, clerical work, humane education, fundraising and public events. More information can be found at www.wshs-dg.org.
Mindy’s Mid-September Giving: Inspiration: Consider, if you are able, offering to watch a friend or neighbor’s pet for them while they are away.
ABOUT THE WRITER Mindy Kyle is the owner of Be Inspired Studios and is passionate about helping people discover what brings them joy and to live a full, healthy and happy life. She has her Masters in Fine Arts degree in creative writing from DePaul University and lives in Naperville with her husband, three children and the cutest dog in the land.
