Almost Home Foundation is based in suburban Elk Grove.
While searching for a rescue to align myself with, to volunteer and to help raise funds for I scoured the greater Chicago area.
While visiting PetsMart in Bloomingdale one afternoon, I stumbled across the pet adoption section of the store. Immediately, I was drawn to the cats. They were healthy, well groomed, well feed… I was impressed.
As both a radio host and animal activist I had searched long and hard for an organization like Almost Home Foundation (AHF).
I was so impressed with their mission statement and what I saw within Petsmart, I just had to know more.
Could this be the one? The rescue that I had searched for so long to find?
I had to investigate. The volunteers at AHF had no idea who I was. This was grand. They had no idea I was a radio personality, a fashion designer that touched fame, or a reporter. They just saw me as an animal lover, which I am.
I volunteered at a few adoption events, and was welcomed with open arms. I continued to be impressed.
Perhaps one of the things that drew me the most to AHF: their bold stance on declawing cats. This rescue is against declawing. They educate the public on how to trim a cat’s claws.
I thought to myself, “This is it. THIS is the one.”
Further reading into the mission statement of the organization cemented my choice.
The mission statement reads:
“Almost Home Foundation is a nonprofit, all volunteer, no-kill animal rescue funded solely by private donations. We have no paid employees. Almost Home Foundation is committed to reducing the number of homeless and unwanted companion animals through education programs, spay /neuter programs, and the responsible re-homing of dogs and cats through adoption programs. Almost Home Foundation does not have a physical building to house animals. We rely on volunteers who dedicate their time, homes and hearts for our animals until permanent, loving homes can be found. Adoptable animals in our care will be kept as long as it takes to find a suitable home. Almost Home Foundation does not discriminate against animals based on age, breed, color of fur or physical disability. “
I myself have spent much of my life as an outcast. I am eccentric, I am reclusive, and I am an artist. In high school I was bullied, pushed to the floor and on one occasion even had a gym teacher slam my 16-year-old head into a brick wall. I know what abuse is. I have dealt with abuse on many levels in my life. Perhaps this is why I value animals that have also been outcasts.
“Almost Home Foundation does not discriminate against animals based on age, breed, color of fur or physical disability.”
When I read the above sentence, I realized that these animals were just like me. These people, these volunteers- so many of them were just like me.
AHF is a very unique non-profit. Many non-profits give their Board of Director’s a salary. AHF does not. This, to me was a unique find. I have worked for and within non-profits many times. Before AHF, I had never seen a non-profit that didn’t take one cent from donor contributions.
In the mission statement and out of the mouths of any of the foster volunteers and board members you will hear “We have no paid employees. Every penny goes to the animals”
You see, AHF is an organization of people that love animals. And unlike many non-profits they apply your dollar directly to where it should go. The animals.
After volunteering at a couple of adoption events, I revealed my identity and was welcomed with open arms. They treated me like a person.
I then started to promote the rescue on my syndicated radio show. I started creating art and raising donations of which 100% of that money was given to AHF. The proceeds of my radio show, although small, are going to AHF.
“Almost Home Foundation was founded by 5 animal lovers. We felt that by creating this organization, we could make a difference and save many lives”
Reading this information from AHF really inspired me to take my rescue efforts further. This rescue was started by just 5 people. Since it’s inception, Almost Home Foundation has placed and saved many, many animals. Countless animals that were in need of a loving home have gotten one because of this rescue.
AHF is not only a local mind-set sort of rescue; they also have links on their website for “action alerts”. These alerts can be anything from legislation that is about to be put into effect or information about contacting your local representative on important animal welfare issues.
AHF’s reach extends well beyond suburban Chicago. Useful links on the website also inform the public about puppy mills. AHF shares a very poignant story of a dog named Hot Shot, who was rescued from a puppy mill. Not only did they rescue Hot Shot, they also rescued the dog’s sister named Poco.
The story that AHF tells about Hot Shot simply defines what they are all about...caring and creating change while informing the public on important issues.
“Hot Shot was a puppy mill dog, used by unscrupulous people as a breeding machine. Her life consisted of a never-ending cycle of being pregnant and raising puppies that were then sold in pet shops around the country. Year after year, this little dog stood on wires, in her own filth, never received any medical care and was fed only cheap, inadequate food. But worst of all, she never got to experience the love and human attention every dog craves.”
Informing the public is one of my main goals in life. I have been known too many to be a bit controversial because I speak what is on my mind, because when I see a wrong I try to make it right at any cost.
I see the same in AHF. On their website, they send a bold message “ Don’t buy puppy mill dogs” and they are not afraid to speak up for what is right. What is right may not always be pleasant to hear; however education is the key to stopping the cycle of animal abuse and countless unwanted animals.
“The adorable puppy you see in the pet shop window came most likely from a puppy mill. His mom and dad are still there, living a horrible life void of any pleasures. By buying a pet store puppy you support the puppy mill industry with their cruel treatment of animals.
No matter what the employees tell you, most pet store puppies are puppy mill puppies! As long as people buy these puppies creating a demand for them, puppy mill owners will breed them and continue to abuse innocent animals.”
Deanne Blenkle is on the Board of Directors at Almost Home Foundation. She is one of 2 feline directors. The other: her husband Paul. The Blenkle’s have been a true source of inspiration for me as an individual. At one point, on a very lousy day I considered giving up. Throwing in the towel. Quitting my articles, my efforts, and my show- just about everything that my life is centered around.
Deanne Blenkle wrote to me on Facebook and said, “Please don’t give up! You are making a difference!”
It was the one thing that I needed to hear. : That I was making a difference. She pulled me through one of the worst days of my life. She kept me going and once again ignited the fire within me.
These are the types of people that you will meet at AHF. They don’t outcast. They value everyone’s efforts.
Over the course of one year I have seen many at AHF spring into action when it comes to important issues in animal welfare.
This organization is like no other non-profit I have ever known. AHF does not have a building to operate a shelter out of.
So, for 5 years volunteers within AHF have fostered countless animals within their own homes and they continue to do so.
A dear friend of mine decided to start a non-profit in Maryland. The name: Love Paws. Across many miles from the Midwest to the East, AHF volunteers like Deanne Blenkle provided useful information in regards to starting a non-profit to help animals. This is yet another example of the community outreach within AHF.
The impact that AHF has made and continues to make is worthy of a prize.
I have toured many rescues in the Chicago area. In doing so, I have come to one conclusion.
Almost Home Foundation is 100% devoted to the cause and should be the model for rescues everywhere.
What a better world this would be for animals if every rescue organization in the country took AHF 101.
You may visit their website at: http://www.almosthomefoundation.org
Follow on Twitter @AlmosthomeF
Find on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Almost-Home-Foundation/252719455937
To make a charitable contribution via PayPal to Almost Home Foundation visit:
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