We are a 501(c)(3) Non Profit Organization
Kim began volunteering with Wags 2 Wishes in January 2022 after seeing a post calling for more volunteers to step up—and she hasn’t looked back since. Having already adopted two dogs from Wags, she felt a strong desire to give back to the organization that helped complete her family. “I wouldn’t have the dogs I have if other people hadn’t given their time to help,” she says. From the beginning, Kim was inspired by the fact that Wags is 100% volunteer run. “It’s amazing to see how many people give their time,” she shares. As someone who has always loved dogs, Kim found a place where that love is deeply understood and shared by everyone around her. Over time, Kim has taken on many roles, from volunteer coordinator to helping with vetting emails and updating Petfinder. No matter the task, her heart is always in it—especially when it comes to meeting new pups and helping them find their forever homes. She loves working alongside fellow volunteers who are just as passionate about the mission. “The volunteers are all great people sharing the same goal,” Kim says. “It’s a special place, and I’m proud to be part of it.”
THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THIS HAPPEN...EVERYDAY
Don't let her age fool you, "though she be little she is fierce" when it comes to saving lives! Kam cam to us many years ago when she helped organize a donation drive at school, too young to volunteer at the center she did what she could from the outside. One day the Founder Terri allowed Kam to stay at the center at help for the day. It was then she realized W2W needed Kam in a more permanent role INSIDE the center. We spoke to her parents, our insurance company and found a way to make that happen as a "one time" exception to allow under 16 years of age to volunteer inside the building. Today Kam has fostered animals, runs shifts, does meets with families, assist in dog pulls and even assist with training incoming volunteers. Quite frankly there isn't a task Kam cant do for Wags. When it comes to love and dedication you will not find a more dedicated volunteer than Kam, she even asked if her first car could be a conversion van to do transports!
You can meet Kam most weekends, holidays and in the summer weekdays too doing what she loves, cleaning cages, walking dogs and handling adoptions!
Jennifer found her way to Wags back in June 2018 looking for a place to give her time since her daughters went away to college. Right away she knew she found her extended family with Wags and a passion to make a difference in the life of every rescue dog that enters our building. She is the mother to us all and often there to lend an ear and offer advice to help us with daily struggles life throws our way.
Additionally Jenifer and her husband are local business owners that have given more than time to Wags they have sponsored many events and covered cost for items needed for the center. On any given day you can find Jennifer deep cleaning kennels or processing adoption applications to ensure our dogs go to the best homes. Although she juggles running her own business, family life - she always has time for wags!
We can't imagine Wags without Jennifer!
Throughout Jordans teenage life she has been involved with Wags 2 Wishes Animal Rescue as a volunteer, foster, employee and then went to work at our sister company Pound Town Boarding and Daycare. Through the years she learned every aspect of the business and eventually was promoted to General Manager. The clients and dogs are always greeted by a fun, energetic young lady who takes pride in her work and taking care of their dogs.
When we decided to add a Rescue Resale, on top of the Rescue and Boarding & Daycare it was apparent that we would need a very experienced and personable person to oversee all aspects of these businesses that share a roof.
Jordan has the experience, knowledge and drive to get the impossible done while putting a smile on every face she encounters. Rest assured be it a rescue or client dog, they are in the best of hands with Jordan. (Since 2015)
Kendra
Adoption Specialist - Shift Leader -Trainer
Terri
Founder / President /Operations Manager
Click Here To Begin The Volunteer Process
I am the Foster Coordinator and love finding temporary homes for our dogs that need some extra TLC. I have been volunteering at Wags a little over 2 years and I recently moved an hour away. I tried and tried to find a rescue like Wags w Wishes by my new home but there is none like it. Wags is amazing - filled with volunteers that give 100% of their hearts and souls to these dogs. I am always open to questions and would love more fosters on our list!
Sue applied to be a volunteer at Wags in April 2023 after she saw several volunteers featured on Facebook and thought “Wow! These people love animals, are super passionate, and they obviously are generous with their time because they all have other responsibilities and various backgrounds…and I can do this too.” She also grew up with a strong example in her mom who dove deep into rescuing, fostering and supporting families that struggled feeding their pets. Like her mom, Sue wanted to support animals and the community and make a difference for the voiceless animals that fell under circumstances that left them at the mercy of humans who cared for this cause, so all this drove her to become a Wags volunteer. Wags gives Sue so much joy to see the difference that is made by cleaning cages, holding pups, throwing balls, scratching tummies, visiting with – all to ensure dogs feel cared for, safe and loved until they find their forever home. After several months, Sue was asked to help as an extra shift lead, which she accepted since it would help the team of volunteers and the dogs. You can also find Sue helping at adoption events, Wags special events, organizing monthly WAGS TO SENIORS visits to a local nursing home with dogs and humans in order to bring a smile to senior’s faces. Recently, Sue became a Volunteer Coordinator alongside Barb to ensure Wags shifts are fully scheduled to run as smoothly as possible. Sue will pitch in when she can, however she can, and loves being with the dogs and the like-minded volunteers around her. Sue recently lost her 15-year old rescue dog, Sam, and enjoys her independent cat, Cooper. You never know what dog will steal her heart, oh wait…they ALL do that come through Wags!
Jordan
Operations Manager
Volunteers MUST be 16 years of age or older
Kam
Jr. Op Manager - Adoption Specialist - Trainer
From Laurie:
I started at Wags in 2018 because I wanted to give some rescue dogs (and occasionally cats) the love and the care they need until they can find a new home (I don’t mind having to clean some poop to do it). At Wags, I am shift lead on the Monday AM and Wednesday PM shifts. I do transport pick up, vet runs and events. I have recently become an adoption specialist, helping with dog meets and adopting out our dogs. I also currently have a foster dog.
At home, I have a cat named Princess (and she lives up to the name). She came with the name when I inherited her in October from my husband’s boss’ godmother who had to go into a memory care center that didn’t allow cats. I thought she was 7 when I took her only to then discover she was actually 14. She hated me for the first month and now she hogs the bed. Fun facts: My very first time doing a vet run for Wags, I picked up 9 puppies from Spay Illinois and I was terrified I was going to lose one of them while getting them in and out of the cages in my car (but all went well). The most dogs I ever took to the vet at one time was 12
ABOUT US...
I have been volunteering with Wags 2 Wishes since 2021. During this time I have fostered 11 dogs, I have become a shift lead, an adoption specialist, I help lead our volunteer group and keep the storage dock in order. I receive so much fulfillment and joy from volunteering and helping the dogs that come to Wags. I am very grateful to be a part of this amazing group of volunteers who give their everything to make sure that dogs in our care are loved and supported while on their journey to find their forever families. When I am not at the rescue, I work full time as an insurance agent, I am a marathon runner and Ironman level triathlete and have the most beautiful golden doodle Zee.
Terri’s love of animals was apparent growing up she would always bring home stray and injured dogs, cats, squirrels, birds, lizards and even snakes! This was well before “Rescue” was known as it is today. She “rescued” her first bully breed dog when she was 21 years old and has been a bully breed advocate ever since. Always dreaming of someday being able to “work full time with animals” she was introduced to Rescue later in life where she began fostering and transporting for several other rescues. It wasn’t long that she knew starting her own Rescue was where she could make the greatest impact in Rescue, Her goal; Rescue 8-10 dogs per month. In 2014 she realized the need for rescuing these abandoned animals was far beyond her capability as a “foster based rescue” so the Wags 2 Wishes Rescue Center was built. Since opening the Rescue Center in 2015 Wags 2 Wishes has been able to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home THOUSANDS of animals! Terri is dedicated to educating the public on responsible pet ownership , spay/neutering and yearly vet visits.
Alyssa’s love of animal rescue and animals in general started at a very young age. She dreamed of having her own horse, working with animals, and becoming a special education teacher ever since she was little. In college, Alyssa worked at a veterinary office which partnered with a local rescue. After only a few short months, Alyssa become involved and became an active member, serving on the Board of Directors for years and enjoying all of rescue life.
Alyssa met the W2W President while they worked a hoarding case in North Chicago in 2014 during a snow storm. Immediately the two hit it off and worked well together. After a few short months of building a friendship Alyssa was fully on board with Wags 2 Wishes. Alyssa has been able to intertwine her passions as she has adopted a three legged (but only two working) lab at only days old, a 5 month old Aussie with no eyes, a hyperactive Great Dane, and now a young spaniel mix who is also blind. She trained her lab and Australian Shepherd to be therapy dogs and enjoys helping educate young children about animals, especially with her dogs by her side.
Kim P
Manager - Shift Lead - Adoption Specialist
Wags 2 Wishes is a licensed , 501(C)3 Not for profit ALL BREED Animal Rescue that started in 2013. Located in Plainfield Illinois our mission is to rescue abused, sick, abandoned and forgotten animals facing euthanasia due to over crowding or being too medically intense for the current facility/owner and provide a loving and secure transition into our rescue program. While our medical and neglect cases enter our foster home program, many of the animals we take in can enter our Rescue Facility and find their loving forever home in just a short time.
See some amazing transformations here: http://www.w2wrescue.com/transformations.html
Barb B
Volunteer Coordinator
Kendra has been a volunteer at Wags for almost 6 years. She started long distance running because of her first rescue dog's love of running. She has been a charity runner for the Chicago Marathon for 14 consecutive years, fundraising tens of thousands of dollars to save homeless pets. When she left her career of 20 years she knew she wanted to spend her extra time devoted to rescue. Kendra has played a vital role in day-to-day operations at Wags often doing multiple shifts per day. From cleaning, walking, dogs meets, adoptions, vet runs or cleaning the dock there isn't a task she will not do and do with a smile on her face! Kendra juggles many things with ease which includes her husband, Gino, their hobbies racing - marathons and Ironman distance triathlons, two children: Kylie (18) and Dominic (16) and their 4 dogs: Mia, Kaiya (adopted from Wags), Stella (Wags) and Thelma (Wags)!
HER WORDS: Being a part of Wags has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I treasure the people I have met and the countless lives we have saved.
Kerri O
Foster Coordinator
Sue B
Volunteer Coordinator
Laurie H
Adoption Specialist - Shift Leader
Thank you all for your dedication to Wags 2 Wishes Animal Rescue, Inc.
In 2018 we were blessed with Stephanie walking through our doors in need of community service. She quickly fit in with the Wags family and became a vital part of our operations. From running shifts, assisting in meets, adopts and helping at events there is no task or request Stephanie will turn down when it comes to the dogs.
HER WORDS:
In 2018, I found my way to wags for community service hours. From the moment I started volunteering, my life was completely changed. I’ve assisted in adoptions, transports and fundraisers. I usually volunteer twice a week. Wags has a special place in my heart. While helping to save lives, "wags saved me."
Laurie G
Shift Lead - Adoption Specialist
You can make a difference! There are a variety of ways that individual volunteers contribute to our mission to rescue and provide safe and responsible care for homeless, abandoned, and abused animals. No experience is required, we provide training and mentoring for all new volunteers.
23907 W Industrial Drive N
Plainfield IL 60585
815-254-3110
Stephanie
Adoption Specialist - Shift Leader - Trainer
Kim
Social Media - Communications Director
Barb started at Wags back in 2022 at the suggestion of a friend, and fellow shift lead, Kate. She quickly honed her cleaning and laundry skills and loves to spend any extra minutes training a dog in “sit”, or cuddling a dog that needs some extra loving, or providing enrichment activities to the anxiety prone. Barb grew up with animals her whole life and currently resides with two 16 year old felines and one dog, Yadi. She feels she can really understand their language. Besides Wags, Barb is a small business owner, community volunteer, avid gardener, and DIY-er.
Kim is another LOCAL business owner who continues to give back by volunteering her time for years as an animal advocate. She has been lucky enough to have both her business (FETCH PET CARE, NAPERVILLE) and her volunteer life be 100% about the care and well being of animals. Kim has been handling our social media and communications for almost OVER 7 years. As many of you know in Rescue having a good social media presence, good photos and videos is key for finding adopters and supporters. In Kim's short time with Wags 2 Wishes she has increased our followers by DOUBLE! In addition to her social media role at wags she helps field all incoming communications for the hundreds of emails we get weekly. Because of Kim's excellent organizational skills and ability to keep us all on track it allows our adoption specialist time to focus on ADOPTING!
Wags 2 Wishes Animal Rescue, Inc. © 2021
Pound Town, Inc, Wags 2 Wishes Animal Rescue & W2W Rescue Resale
Jennifer
Application Specialist - Shift Leader -Trainer
Our volunteers are made up of approximately 100+ people at any given time. Everyone dedicated to the safety and wellbeing of the animals we intake every day. As in any organization we have a main crew that run the day to day operations and they are highlighted below. Without the amazing people you see below we couldn't save the THOUSANDS of animals we do - it truly takes a village!
Alyssa
Manager Northern Division / Board Member