Illinois Horse Rescue of Will County

Illinois Horse Rescue of Will County is a wonderful nonprofit organization. I have found that my donations have been used to benefit the animals they rescue. I have seen animals in need transform into beautiful, healthy animals that find forever homes. I do not feel a dime of my money is wasted.

I love volunteering for Illinois Horse Rescue of Will County. It is so rewarding being able to care for the animals that come in. The main staff & other volunteers have been so kind to teach me all about caring for livestock & farm animals. The animals are all well taken care of and the facility is clean. Absolute best you can ask for from a rescue.

Great caring people. I volunteered here before the COVID outbreak and they really take care of their animals.

I have been donating to Illinois Horse Rescue for a few years ,they do awesome work , they are compassionate, knowledgeable and there doors ARE ALWAYS OPEN ❤️

For many years I have been following Illinois Horse Rescue of Will County. They do wonderful work. They are giving and caring hard workers for animals. AB

They saved Harley the horse from bad circumstances years after he left our therapeutic riding program.

I was having such a hard time grieving my father and I needed something to help me. A lot of people suggested volunteering and so I reached out to the Illinois Horse Rescue of Will County. I was able to go out and talk to everyone and then just be. What did I do? I swept up stall shaving behind those cleaning the stalls, I watched them care for a horse that had been losing her vision due to a health issue, I seen the outreach work in progress with petting zoos and craft shows to help support the rescue, I watched a rescue horse who won’t be able to be ridden play in the arena like a puppy, and an amazing family brought their daughter in that day to give money to the rescue, that she raised herself. Aside from the amazing work with rescuing animals, they also help rescue people! I stood in the barn surrounded by people and animals fighting for a second chance, me included. You could see the huffs and of horse breath puffing through the stalls and it brought peace. That one day gave me a hope.

I live in Minnesota, and I discovered IHRWC during the recession 10 years ago quite by chance and have been impressed to witness their original mission to rescue starving, mistreated, and abandoned horses expand to include animals of all kinds, as well as outreach to foster positive, meaningful animal-human relationships in the community. IHRWC is a shining example of the power of love and commitment to help those in need.

The Illinois Horse Rescue of Will County is an excellent organization run by incredibly thoughtful and dedicated people. My husband and I rescued a feral cat from an alley in the City of Chicago, and when she turned out to be too feral to adopt, we were desperate for somewhere to place her that was safer than just returning her to the alley - Jessica was so helpful and immediately offered to take her into their barn cat program. We are so grateful for their work, not only do they provide such a great service to rescue these animals but the homes they either create or find are perfect, especially for those animals who don't fit the typical "pet" mold! Thank you Jessica and team for helping out our feral friend!

This is a perfect badge for this nonprofit because I'm always saying what a Great nonprofit!

Just watched a rescue video of them rescuing 3 horses that had cable around their neck, just wondering the streets, in the freezing cold snow. So glad they found them and could tend to their wounds and put them in a safe place. I don't know if they were adopted, but you can tell these people have a passion in what they do and deserve nothing but the highest rating.

We first found Illinois horse rescue of Will County when I was searching for a good place to take my daughter for riding lessons. I stumble upon a real gem. Everyone we meet was so extremely nice and you can just tell from the start they are very devoted and care about the animals. Lessons were amazing. My daughter is somewhat special needs but they were amazing with her. They included my son as well. Always showing us the weekly new arrivals. We recently adopted a dove from them. Storm has been a wonderful addition to our family. One day we hope to have land and I will be adopting a horse from them. I wouldn’t go anywhere else. I’ve worked with various rescues over the last 20 years some good some bad but I will tell you Illinois Horse Rescue of Will County is by far the best I’ve come across. Their hearts are huge and the animals that walk through their doors are by far the luckiest. I can not say enough good things about them.

There is passion in their voices about what they do for both people and animals! In the short little time of 6 years they have rescued close to 1000 animals. This is a hardworking and trusting cause that are impacting their communities.

I heard about Illinois Horse Rescue of Will County a few years ago and became a donor. I have visited their facility in rural Beecher during their annual "Help a Horse" Fundraiser which includes bakes sales, vendors, and raffles. They keep me informed through their Facebook postings where I can see the wonderful work they do. They are unsung heroes and have huge yet humble hearts for the precious horses and animals they take in who have no voices. I am only able to donate to a small number of charities but IHRWC is one of them because I believe in what they do. Like any animal rescue, there is always a need for funds. I hope this will help them in some small way. Thank you. Rebecca B.

Best rescue! They do really important work. They’ve rescued barn cats that had no place to go and in very dire situations.

They are an amazing organization! I have witnessed first hand the work they do not only rescuing neglected, abused and abandoned animals of all types, they also have an amazing out reach program for those who would not otherwise get the opportunity to experience what it is like to be around animals.

I volunteer at the Illinois Horse Rescue of Will County. I was never around large animals such as horses before and only ever saw them from the distance of the highway. Since I plan on going into the veterinary profession, I knew I needed to gain some experience to become more comfortable with them and looked online at various places nearby. There were plenty of places to volunteer at but I ended up only calling this one. Wednesdays have turned out to be my favorite day of the week. I always look forward to getting up and riding out there to visit with the animals and the other volunteers. The facility is great and very well kept, the horses, sheep, goats and other animals here are very well taken care of. I am always amazed to see how a new rescue is when they arrive to how they transform from the time and effort that the owners and volunteers put into their well being. This place is truly awesome and I love being apart of it in any capacity. And for myself, I have learned a lot from just being present, watching, listening to the language, and I have become very comfortable with the horses and other large animals. I definitely think my time spent here will benefit myself and I hope it benefits the animals too.

I volunteer at this rescue, and it's a great place to be, human or animal :) They truly care about their charges, and do the best they can to take care of them. I had wanted to volunteer with animals, and when I contacted them to see if I could help, they were very open and welcoming, willing to have people of any experience level help out, and help educate those with less experience.

Illinois horse rescue is an amazing organization who truly cares about the animals they rescue as well as the people who volunteer there! They rescue horses and all other types of animals. Any animal in need receives love and care. An amazing place!

I love these people, you must go to an event they have. My son is 16 and volunteers there and he loves helping in any task he is asked to do. They are very loving selfless people to take in these abused horses and make them healthy. And they also rescue more than just horses. Jessica who does so much has such a passion for all of these animals.
I donate when I can, and I will start volunteering very soon.

Illinois Horse Rescue of Will County is an outstanding rescue. They rescue many different kinds of animals. My family has visited the rescue on several occasions and we have always felt welcome. The animals are well taken care of. The owners go above and beyond to rescue these animals and restore them to health. If you are looking for a place to donate your time or money to, I highly recommend this rescue.

Horse rescue is misleading. This organization rescues so many more than horses. I have seen cows, sheep, turkeys, ferrets, cats and more. And all of their rescues not only receive exceptional n knowledgeable care but lots of love and attention. Lots of sleepless nights spent in the barn while nursing n caring for a sick or injured animal; baby goats n newborn minis brought in the house when it's too cold outside. Tireless, loving, caring hours given to the rescues by the owners n their awesome volunteers. I love this place.

I have gone multiple times to this rescue with a friend to help feed the horses. It is a very well run place that does great things for all animals. You can tell that everybody who works there deeply cares about there work.

A friend invited me to attend Illinois Horse Rescue of Will County’s annual fundraiser two years ago and I decided to come back to volunteer. Everyone there has a true love of the horses and other animals. It is always a good feeling to know you’ve helped an animal in some small way. I have learned a lot working with the family who runs the rescue, other volunteers, and the groups who come out to help as well. Great to know the Rescue always follows up after an adoption to answer questions and ensure all is well. Definitely a collaborative dedicated group of people and rewarding experience!

I have always had an interest in horses, but never owned one of my own and it had been years since I had been around them. On my first day at Illinois Horse Rescue, the other new volunteers and I were given a tour of the barn by the barn manager, who was able to answer all of our many questions. We were all taught how to care for the animals and explained how what we were doing was helping the animals. It was interesting to learn how helping out for only a few hours in a day made such an impact to both the animals and the mission of the rescue! The volunteers who have been there for a while are all very knowledgeable and willing to help with anything you don't understand. The family that runs the rescue is also very knowledgeable, encouraging, and appreciative of the help and effort you put forward. I would encourage anyone, regardless of experience, to donate some time and/or funding to Illinois Horse Rescue and their wonderful cause.

I'm well experienced in the field of horses, due to the fact, I own a barn and train horses for a living. I went to the rescue to see what they were all about and maybe donate my time training their horses. When I arrived at the barn there was quite a lot of people volunteering their time there. You know some of the barns you go to and people will walk right by you with out saying a thing? It is NOT like that at Illinois Horse Rescue! Someone was coming up to say Hello to me before I even got out of my truck! She showed me around their barn and intruding me to there big family (that was not just Horses!) You could tell she was very knowledgeable with every critter in her care. All the volunteers looked so happy to be helping at the rescue. The few I had the opportunity to talk with said that, “The air there felt so welcoming and rewarding. The people there were always willing to teach them about what it takes to care for these animals.”
The barn was very clean! I think it is one of the cleanest barns I have been too! All the critters were well cared after. I would recommend anyone to help at this rescue and would love to see more experienced horse lovers donate a little of there time to them. That was the only thing that DID upset me; that all the volunteers there knew nothing about horses. They just wanted to help and learn along they way! There was a only a couple of people there that knew anything I was talking about and had ever trained a horse before! How can you call your self a horse lover if you are not willing to donate a couple hours even once a month to help the horses?! The girl who walked me around and all the volunteers there are who I would consider TRUE HORSE LOVERS!!!

If you don’t believe me then go look for your self!

When I first began volunteering for Illinois Horse Rescue I was immediately amazed by all of the things they did for many different types of animals, not just horses. They take in any animal that needs help. After working with horses for many years, I’ve learned that many horse barns have a cliquey environment and are not always relaxing and welcoming, but Illinois Horse Rescue is not that way. I felt very welcome from the moment I stepped onto the property, welcomed by both the animals and the people. There are many different activities that can be done, so there is something for everyone to do, regardless of age, skill level, or passions. I spend as much time as I can there, and I would recommend it to anyone who needs a place to come spend time, relax, or heal. You can help the animals, and the animals will help you.

When I first reached out to the Illinois Horse Rescue, I was in a frustrating place in my life. I had been looking for a job for over 6 months with very little promise of ever finding one. I felt like I needed to find somewhere that I could be useful and make a positive contribution, even if that meant donating my time. I didn't know anything about horses other than the fact that I've always wanted to be around them. When I called the Illinois Horse Rescue for the first time, I was nervous and scared that they would tell me I couldn't help because I lacked experience. Instead, I was invited to come out to the barn and help that very week. What I found there was the best surprise of my life! Here was a barn out in the nearby country full of horses that have been left behind by their negligent owners, and now I had the chance to help make their lives better. I instantly was made to feel welcome by the barn manager as she gave me a short sweet education on how to make myself useful. Since that day, I continue to gain more knowledge (and fall more in love with the horses) with each visit. This Rescue is run by a committed, responsible family and a strong group of dedicated volunteers who truly care about the animals and the community. I consider myself one lucky person who has been helped by their genuine efforts. I highly recommend getting involved and/or donating to this amazing nonprofit.