Will Cook County News

By Nuha Abdessalam

Stepping into the New Year may prompt new incentives, and Pawsitive Impact Pet Rescue wanted to be another reason.

Shoppers and residents had the opportunity to learn more about the animal shelter’s mission and had ample time to meet the adoptive pups at the annual New Year Adoption event held at Pet Supplies Plus Homer Glen at 12845 W 143rd Street this last Saturday, Jan. 6.

Karen Bartolomei, Founder of Pawsitive Impact Pet Rescue, and volunteers propped their table and station for the event with already successful foster-to-adoption stories to share. “We’ve already adopted a Dalmatian to the best family with a history of the breed, and the owner is a runner, a great fit,” said Bartolomei.

The nonprofit organization is located at 309 W Republic Avenue, Joliet, and has been running for 12 years. It sets forth to take in the many abandoned animals found and brought from animal control to people contacting Bartolomei. Often, dogs find their way to the rescue by surrendering through social media, “We get messages on Facebook all the time, with unfortunate situations where they can no longer care for their pets, we like to step in, no judgment,” said Bartolomei.

Bartolomei added that with a limited kennel space, ” With dedicated volunteers and companies like Pet Supplies Plus, who support us and our mission, we really wouldn’t be able to do this.”

Homer Glen’s Pet Supplies Plus Store location isn’t the only store holding space for the nonprofit pet rescue; the store chain locations in both Bolingbrook and Orland Park also hold events to continue to promote adoption versus shopping for your next furry baby. WCCN met a few of the wiggly furry pups as young as six months old. Dingo, a young 6 month-old mixed breed, was among the many asking for love and attention.

(Dingo with a volunteer.)

All dogs up for adoption have been vetted, cleaned, microchipped, and spayed/neutered for their forever families.

Volunteer to Pawsitive Impact Pet Rescue of seven years, Melissa Juachon, said, “We really hope these events illustrate how deserving and wonderful these rescue dogs can be for families,” Juachon added, “Karen takes in the underdogs, and with love and care, they transform.”

The organization is no stranger to receiving many transports with heartworm-positive dogs; Fancy, a pit mix adult dog, came to the organization in June 2023, pregnant and heartworm-positive.

(Photo courtesy of Pawsitive Impact Pet Rescue)

“We’re really thankful for having formed solid relationships with animal hospitals to be able to provide treatment plans,” said Bartolomei. “All of her babies are in their forever homes. Now we wait for beautiful Fancy for her chance,” added Bartolomei.

Kimberly Ott, a volunteer to the organization of seven years, hoped the event would remind people to adopt as opposed to going to a breeder, saying, “I hope we continue spreading awareness of how many homeless animals there are, and what that says, remember organizations like us, remember dogs in shelters.”

For inquiries about available dogs for adoption and volunteering for Pawsitive Impact Pet Rescue, visit the organization’s Facebook page or email/call Karen Bartolomei at (815) 730-6713, pip.rescue@gmail.com. Donations accepted at: www.paypal.me/PIPRescue