Last year I got my dog at the street festival event they had. I found the dog online and went there and it was great, they had pets for adoption, they were serving food for people and dogs and doing nail trims and and selling things to raise money to rescue more dogs. Gizmo has been my best friend and I can honestly say that he keeps me moving and has really helped me from boredom and aided my health. I'm so greatful that a place like On Angels Wings would seek out dogs like Gizmo that was given up by his original parents and help to pair them up with people like me. The day of the adoption, I hung out and saw two other adoptions on the same day. they are doing great things at this place!
Unable to get straightforward financial information on this business. Donated a few times but then wanted more specific information. Requested by calling and emailing and got a run around. They would not provide information on what portion of the money they make really goes to the cause and what they pay out in salaries to board members, employees, expenses and so forth. This is information that is typically provided in a financial statement that a nonprofit business publishes. Not this one. Why?
Review from Guidestar
I love animals and I wanted to do something to help in my community. I was given a volunteer job in the thrift store. At first everything seemed good but the longer I was there I saw and heard things that I guess I wasn't supposed to. When I said something to an employee that I didn't think that the executive director or her kids and friends should be able to just take nice things that were donated without paying, I was told not to say anything to her about it because she wouldn't like it. Then I had my volunteer job changed, probably because they were afraid I would say something. I didn't think it was right that they took all kinds of nice things for their new house. They also let their friends have other nice things that were donated like jewelry and nice clothes and antique items. I had to leave because I could tell they didnt want me there. Couldn't all those nice things have been sold in the thrift store to make money to build the shelter or pay vet bills for the animals? I wanted to say something but no one wanted to hear anything about it. I don't think its right that the employees and some volunteers just keep quiet about it because they get things. I didn't want things. I just wanted to help animals and could have kept helping make things nicer in the thrift store so they could make more money and help more animals.
Review from Guidestar
I have been volunteering for On Angels' Wings for nearly three months and the level of care, concern and love given to the rescued dogs and cats is above and beyond what many people give to their own families. The sweet faces of the rescued dogs and cats are unforgettable and truly warm your heart. Everyone and everything at On Angels' Wings is directed towards the rescue, rehabilitation and successful adoption of these truly blessed pets. Of course there is paid staff, and what's wrong with that. I'd rather have these people earn a living wage. Otherwise, they would be working for big bucks at a corporation and the world would certainly lose the miracles these people help make possible every day.
I am so proud to be a patron, donor, advocate and benefactor of this wonderful organization at both the Crystal Lake and Lake Zurich locations. The volunteers and staff as well as mangement are caring loving people who look out for the needs of the animals they serve as well as the people who adopt pets and cannot afford to feed they adequately. There are many programs that help the owners of animals as well as the pets. The quality of the items that I am able to obtain for myself and others are top notch. This organization allows me to give back to the Community for those who are less fortunate. My dollars go further in these efforts and allows me to provide a bit of sunshine in someone else's life. What could be better than that.
On Angels' Wings has grown from a dream into a pillar of the community as it continues to grow and give back to the animals and the people that are so desperately in need. It takes a great deal of "above and beyond" that is displayed by its management and volunteers who so willingly accept each others' diverse gifts for the good of all. On Angels' Wings has been consistently acknowledged as "One of the Best" in the local newspapers. The passion of all associated with this organization shows true compassion for all animals and fellow human beings in spite of tremendous challenges in our dire economic times. Congratulations to all who contribute and have contributed in the past. Please come and help OAW and be a contributor. We all need to help and support one another.
On Angels' Wings is a wonderful organization that helps animals in more than just saving their lives. They also help with people who struggle to feed their pets by providing a pet food pantry. They have helped keep these animals out of the shelter. OAW also helps women who are entering shelters due to domestic abuse. OAW provides the women with temporary foster homes for their beloved pets until they get back on their feet. OAW has 2 awesome resale stores that sells items to make money for the animals they have taken in. It not only is recylcing but it also allows the public to buy items at a reasonable price. OAW has saved hundreds of lives and has impacted people for the better. All not for profits struggle with lack of money, undesirable volunteers/board members at times and judgements from the public. It's easy to have an opinion. It's even easier to volunteer and change the world.
William W - I welcome you to a meeting with our CPA who can explain our financials to you. You have obviously been very misled. I am very sorry for your loss. Please call me at 815-356-8170 and ask for Jeannette. I am the executive director. P.S. I did not fire anyone in this organization, including the former store manager at LZ. Glenda - there was never a "Glenda" volunteering for OAW. I can only surmise it is one of the former disgruntled board members again "ghost writing" to try and smear OAW. Your departure from OAW was the right thing to do.
Too bad people don't know the truth about this organization. They run 2 thrift stores selling donated goods; with salaries, rent and overhead they spend virtually everything they make. Not much actually goes to their mission of rescuing animals. Sad how much the Executive Director and her family & friends make in salaries by selling thrift store donations, with little spent on animal rescue. How can they legally call themselves a non-profit? The director said to tell people "100% of net profit" if anyone asked how much goes to help animals. But (for example) if they sell $100K of donated goods and their salaries, rent and overhead are $99K, that means only $1K "net profit" goes to their mission. Ask to see the financial information before you donate or volunteer; it is hard to find online. (this system made me give 1 Star, else I would have given 0)