Happy Birthday to Us!

YOUNG AT HEART TURNS 19! 

19 years ago today, a small group of animal lovers sat in the little basement of my townhouse, notepads, and pens ready, thinking caps on, ready for the first official board meeting of a new grassroots animal welfare organization called Young at Heart. Rescuing senior pets wasn’t a “thing” in 2005, not really. We had to lay out a roadmap for Young at Heart’s future, but there wasn’t a guidebook for the journey we were about to embark on.

We had to figure out what we wanted for the senior pets in our care, and then figure out how to get there. We knew we wanted to care for each senior pet we rescued as if they were our own. We wanted to reduce the euthanasia rate of adoptable senior pets at shelters in our area. The big dream was to eventually have a place to call home – a place where we could house both adoptable senior pets and those who would live out their golden years with us. 

And with just that one meeting in my townhouse basement, the first-ever rescue for senior pets in the Chicago area was created!

Things took off quickly. We got our first rescue call mere hours after we launched our website. We didn’t have any funds, any foster homes, or even a checking account set up yet, but we had a boundless love for older pets and the willingness to do whatever it takes to save them. And thus, Peaches the Lab became Young at Heart’s first-ever rescue, and the story of her second chance has allowed countless homeless senior pets to find their own happily ever afters. 

Those rescue calls have been coming – day in and day out – in the 6,935 days since the first. Each year has brought its challenges, but also its rewards. More and more people like you have joined in our mission — adopting, fostering, volunteering, donating— helping us grow. In September 2019, we opened our cage-free adoption center and sanctuary for senior pets in Woodstock, IL. In September 2022, our own on-site vet clinic dedicated to senior pets began operation. The big dream (and more) from 2005 had finally come true thanks to over a decade of hard work.

Looking around now, I’m incredibly grateful for what we’ve achieved for homeless senior pets together. The old dogs are lounging around on couches or barking for their custom meals. The old cats are snoozing on the enclosed catios on nice days, playing with volunteers, or snoozing in heated beds. They have everything they need while they wait for a special someone to take them home, and we are their family in every way while they are here. And if they are here for the rest of their lives, we know it’ll be a good one, filled with love, compassion, and comfort.

It all started with a simple dream to help homeless senior pets, and we’ve made it a reality. But we’re not done dreaming yet. We still have so much more to do for senior pets who need us.

Here’s to Young at Heart. Here is to those who make our mission to provide senior dogs and cats with a safe haven to ensure they live with comfort, compassion, and companionship in their golden years possible. Here is to what we’ve accomplished, and to what lies ahead. 

Happy 19th Anniversary, Young at Heart! 

With love,

Dawn Kemper, Founder & Executive Director

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P.S. – We’re going to be celebrating Young at Heart’s 19th Anniversary for the rest of the month. Stay tuned for some fun and helpful ways you can help us celebrate 19 years of saving senior pets!