Dog rescue sponsors adoptions at Palos Heights Library

By Kelly White

Traveling Tails Dog Rescue has one mission – to find dogs forever homes.

The organization is non-profit volunteer-based dog rescue addressed in Palos Heights that is dedicated to being an active voice for abandoned, abused and neglected dogs. It was founded in January 2019 by Shepard High School teacher and Palos Heights resident, Jennifer Fischer.

“My favorite part about Traveling Tails Dog Rescue is knowing that I played a role in a dog’s happy ending,” Fischer, a 1989 Shepard High School graduate, said. “Especially, when I see the condition and horrendous experiences some of our rescues have lived through and how forgiving they are. Seeing them living their best lives in a loving family is more than rewarding. It’s what keeps us going.”

Spencer Gonka, 7, of Palos Heights, shows his love for rescued canines at Traveling Tails Dog Adoption event on Saturday afternoon.

Fischer and her volunteers that include: Pam Cosgrove Casey Kuntz in IL, Kristi Howard in OH, Lorraine Gruca near DC, Amber Kipper in TN, and many volunteer transporters, along with 10 to 15 fosters, rescue dogs from everywhere, including: overseas countries such as Qatar, Jordan and Turkey and in the domestic United States.

The overseas rescue dogs are rescued in primarily three ways: the mother gets killed, shot, poisoned, abused and eventually killed and the puppies are saved, or a dog is found as a stray in danger close to roads or rescued from abuse, or dogs are dumped by expats at vets and boarding facilities and don’t return to get them, Fischer explained.

All dogs that are flown in to the United States must have Rabies, DHPPil health certificate issued within 10 days of the flight, an import permit issued by the USDA and customs clearance according to the United States Customs and Border Control/CDC regulations.

The United States rescue dogs are either surrendered to the rescue directly from owners who need to re-home due to various circumstances or they are pulled from local area shelters, often facing euthanasia.

“We currently have eight dogs in foster who need homes,” Fischer said.

Helping some of the rescues find homes, Fischer organized the second annual Traveling Tails Dog Adoption event on Saturday, September 10, at the Palos Heights Public Library, 12501 S. 71st Avenue, Palos Heights.

“After the success of last year’s event, the library was thrilled to partner with Traveling Tails to do another adoption day,” Jesse Blazek, Library Director of the Palos Heights Public Library, said. “Our mission is to enrich the lives of our residents, and there are few things in life that are more enriching than a wonderful pet. I hope that we’re able to match up lots of dogs with new homes.”

Beth Stevens, Public Services Librarian at the Palos Heights Public Library, agreed.

“Many of us at the library have rescue pets and we are excited to have Traveling Tales back this year,” Stevens said. “Last year’s event was incredibly successful, all of the dogs at the event were adopted. We are hoping for the same results this year.”

Meeting and greeting residents in hopes of finding that forever home on Saturday were: Mila, an 8-week-old Chihuahua; Montana, an 8-week-old chihuahua; Bubbles, a 6-month-old hound mix; Spunky, a 6-month-old Plott Hound mix; Harry, a 3-year-old Border Collie/Lab mix; and Harley a 7-month-old hound mix.

All of the dogs were already listed on Adopt a Pet and on Traveling Tails Dog Rescue’s website at https://ttdr.org.

Interested parties could either apply in advance or meet the dogs at the event and then apply. Dogs were not able to go home with families until they have had an initial interview, reference checks and a video home visit. Once approved they can either do a more personalized meet and greet or take the dog home.

“I want them all to be in the loving homes, living the best lives possible, free from abuse and hardship,” Fischer said. “They have been through so much and deserve only the best.”

Traveling Tails Dog Rescue held a Dog Adoption event on Saturday, September 10, at the Palos Heights Public Library.