Marseilles has a no-kill animal shelter. First established in 1993 in Grand Ridge, Pet Project Inc. moved to 2767 E. 2575th Road in Marseilles in 2010. Dogs and cats have been cared for there ever since. The organization is on about nine acres of wooded property.
“It’s amazing how far we’ve come in 30 years,” Adoption Coordinator Mary Driscoll said.
Friday morning, four volunteers were in the office, waiting for a transport of five dogs from Texas.
“A lot of shelters take in dogs from other states, but we do get a lot of dogs from Texas,” Driscoll said. “The dogs that are coming today are from kill shelters. Rather than euthanize them, we’re happy to be waiting for five dogs.”
Pet Project Inc. currently houses 12 dogs, 26 cats, and five kittens. A veterinarian (from Fox Valley, Novak-Brainard, or Chessie Lane, Ottawa) checks all the shelter’s animals before they can be adopted. Dogs are checked for heartworm and spayed. After six months of age, kittens are checked for feline leukemia and spayed.
Waiting for the Texas dogs was just one of their duties. Saturday, they would open their doors to a 30th Anniversary Celebration. People were in a “pawtying” spirit as they listened to music by Ryan Witherspoon while enjoying free food from Aussem Dogs. There were T-shirts for sale and free raffles.
Pet Project Inc. has an average of 325 adoptions a year. Over 30 years, the organization has adopted over 7500 cats and dogs. Animals live at the shelter until someone falls in love and embraces them. There is no time limit to how long they stay.
Two Facebook posts from Pet Rescue:
30TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY! So many visited the celebration, and so many thanks to ALL who have supported the shelter all these years! Much appreciation to all. Without the support of so many over the years, the successful adoption of so many animals couldn’t have been possible! Over 7500 and counting, dogs and cats were able to find loving homes! THANK YOU!!”
And from Marilyn Alexander, Dog Walker:
Awesome dogs, raffle prizes, and music by Ryan Wotherspoon. (It’s) Fun to see workers, volunteers, and previous adopters! A lot of animals have been adopted out in those 30 years.
Is there a memorable adoption story?
Mary smiled. “Franklin (an outgoing dog) and Faith (not outgoing) lived with us for over a year. A very patient couple adopted them,” she said. “We wanted to adopt them together because Franklin is Faith’s dad. The couple came out every day for a few days, just trying to get to know them and make sure the animals would be happy with them. Well, the man would lie on the ground and talk with them. It was great to see how they reacted to the dogs they obviously loved. Once the couple decided the dogs would be happy with them, they came to pick them up. Franklin and Faith immediately jumped into the car with no hesitation. It was just a heartwarming scene.”
Sheltering and adoption of cats and dogs are what the volunteers care about.
“It’s a gratifying feeling,” Cat Lady Carol Williams said. “There’s just no better feeling than to see a dog or cat realize they’re going home to a person or family who clearly loves them.”
For more information on how to adopt a dog or cat, visit https://www.facebook.com/PetProjectInc.
ASPCA – 2022 Stray animal statistics:
6.5 Million Animals Are Taken Into US Shelters Annually
Of these, 3.3 million are dogs, and 3.2 million are cats.
50% of the shelter animals are adopted, but 20-30% get euthanized.
87% of animals in underserved communities are neither spayed nor neutered.
77% of that 87% have never been to a vet.