Placing Paws of Illinois (PPI) was established with the goal of saving animals from high risk situations. One of our primary goals is to take animals from rural shelters that have a high euthanasia rate. Rural shelters are often overcrowded and under funded and the animals there have little or no hope of finding an adoptive home. Often times their best hope of finding a happy forever home is to be taken into the care of a rescue such as PPI. All of the animals that are taken into the care and comfort of PPI receive proper veterinary care and a loving foster home while they wait to be placed in the “Hearts of their Forever Homes”.

Pit Bull Facts:

Since 1998, the breed involved in the most fatal attacks is NOT the pit bull.

There are some estimates that pit bulls comprise 30 – 40 % of the dog population making it the most popular breed.

Therefore, considering that there are 53 million dogs – let’s just assume 20% of that population are pit bulls.  That means there are about 10.5 million pit bulls in our society.  In 1998 only 5 pit bulls were involved in 2 fatal attacks.  That’s roughly 1 dog out of 2 million dogs or .00004716%.  Does that sound like a breed that deserves a bad reputation?

According to the American Canine Temperament Testing Association, 82.5% of the American Pit Bull Terriers that took the temperament test passed, compared to a 77% passing rate for all breeds on average. In the test, a dog is placed in a series of confrontational situations. The first sign of aggression or panic is a failure of the test. Pit Bulls have achieved the fourth highest passing rate of all 122 breeds tested. That means that pit bulls tested better than 118 other breeds.

The nickname of the Pit Bull is “the nanny dog”, because they are so good with kids. Many more wonderful dogs are waiting to be rescued from death row in overcrowded rural shelters. Dogs of all shapes and sizes from Chihuahuas and Daschunds to labs and puppies are anxiously waiting to be saved. Please help us rescue these dogs by fostering, adopting or sponsoring one of them.

Frankie

FrankieFrankie with a ball

I am sure most if not all of you remember Frankie’s story:

My younger years were just about as happy as a dog could want. It was me, my 2 canine siblings or 4 leggers as I call them, and our dad, a 2 legger. We enjoyed playing ball in our yard, snuggling up together on the couch to watch TV and just having a good old time. One day, suddenly, everything started to change. One of my 4 legged friends passed away suddenly and then, if you can believe it, my other 4 legged friend, passed on also.. click here for Frankie’s story.

UPDATE: Since that was written, we found out that Frankie has cancer. Frankie had a grapefruit sized lump removed from his side and unfortunately it was determined that it was cancer.  The type of cancer that he has often metastasizes into the lungs.  Placing Paws is keeping a close eye on Frankie and Care Animal Hospital is monitoring him very closely with regular check ups and X-rays when needed. Do to his uncertain future, his foster family has agreed to permanently foster Frankie. He will be living out his days as a permanent Placing Paws resident. However, Frankie’s medical bills are very extensive and he continues to have ongoing expenses. Frankie’s current vet bill is $4,062.72 and he will continue to need supportive care until his time comes. Frankie’s ongoing expenses include Rimadyl for arthritis, Frontline, Heartgard, vet check ups, updated vaccines and x-rays when needed.  Please sponsor Frankie and help Placing Paws cover his expenses. Once again, Frankie will be forever grateful. Thank you.

A Big Thank You

Placing Paws would like to extend a big thank you to:

Egg Harbor Cafe in Libertyville for opening up just for us to serve breakfast for dinner

Viva La Vine for holding a Wine Tasting in June

Girl Scout Troop 243 and Linda Palka for coordinating garage sales

Broadspire, Inc and Leslie Ramsey for coordinating a donation drive

Peter & Kristyn Gamoke for your continued support with transports, fostering, and a hugely successful FUNdraiser

All of our volunteers for their countless hours walking dogs, picking up dogs from transports, helping at adoption events and all of the unseen things that they do that help the animals.

How You Can Help

At our events, we like to add some additional fund raisers such as a dog and/ or people bake sale, selling craft items either pet or holiday related and raffle items.  We are also open to other ideas to help enhance our events.

Please email us at placingpaws@yahoo.com or jeannedicello@yahoo.com
and let us know if you can help.
Some ways you can help are:

Bakers for doggie treats and people treats
crafters – dog and cat related items or holiday related items
raffle items – either donated, made or bought of any variety
volunteers –  we need help at our doggie washes
scout troops, youth groups, church groups are invited to help
fostering a rescued dog or cat in your home
we look forward to seeing you and your family at our events. We thank all who volunteer, foster and otherwise support placing paws and our mission.  See you soon.