My Nonprofit Reviews

I have been volunteering with Heartland Animal Shelter for over eight years. Heartland has undergone many remarkable changes over the years for the better. I can attest firsthand that Heartland is constantly seeking to progress and innovate in all areas.

The quality of care for animals at the shelter has improved thanks to initiatives such as play groups for the dogs, Jackson Galaxy's Cat Pawsitive training for cats, puzzles and training sessions for mental enrichment, large enclosed areas for the dogs to run around outside, and field trips to local parks.

By attending national conferences, implementing best practices, and limiting unnecessary barriers for adopters, Heartland is at the forefront of the national movement to end unnecessary euthanasia of dogs and cats. Heartland has built a strong partnership with Chicago Animal Care and Control to support homeless animals in our local area, while still taking in dogs from high-needs areas elsewhere in the country.

Heartland is dedicated to serving all animals, even if they may be less adoptable at first. The Dr. Do More Fund and Arlo fund help to support animals with medical and emotional needs while they are at the shelter. Heartland's foster program has grown exponentially, allowing more animals to await their forever homes in the comfort of a temporary foster home. Furthermore, this frees up space at the shelter, allowing Heartland to rescue even more animals.

The shelter has implemented a new and improved mentor program for new volunteers. This rigorous program ensures that volunteers are well trained and confident when they start working with the dogs. The quality and quantity of volunteers has increased due to the excellent mentor program. The staff at Heartland are all exceptionally caring and dedicated.

Heartland recently released a strategic plan, laying out specific goals for the next few years and action plans to reach these goals. I am confident that Heartland will continue to improve and serve as a model animal shelter. I am proud to be a volunteer at this amazing organization and I can't wait to see how Heartland grows in the years to come.

Heartland Animal Shelter exemplifies what an animal shelter should look like. Staff and volunteers alike are passionate about caring for abandoned cats and dogs by going above and beyond the call of duty. I absolutely love volunteering at Heartland and spending time with the animals. Doing so has taught me so much more about the unconditional love of cats and dogs, and I have learned what "community service" truly means. Witnessing the transformation of animals that come in scared and confused to confident and joyful is indescribable. If you are looking to get a pet dog or cat, you should definitely adopt instead of buy, and I cannot recommend Heartland Animal Shelter enough as the place to adopt a loving pet into your home. My family adopted a dog from Heartland over two years ago, and we cannot imagine our life without him now. You can make a difference in the lives of an homeless animals by adopting from, volunteering at, or donating to Heartland Animal Shelter.