This Saturday, Take Some Steps to Help Homeless Senior Pets!

Grab your walking shoes and leashes and join Young At Heart Pet Rescue on Oct. 1st for its 4th annual Mutt Mosey at the scenic Twin Lakes Golf and Recreation Area in Palatine. Each step taken on the fundraising walk will benefit the animals of Young At Heart Pet Rescue and bring the small, local rescue a closer to its goal of opening a sanctuary and adoption center for senior pets with nowhere else to go.

The Fundraiser Walk is an easy one-mile mosey around the Twin Lakes Recreation Area. The event will happen, rain or shine, at 1200 Twin Lakes Drive, Palatine, from 9 a.m. to noon. Walk-up registration and check-in begins at 9 a.m. The walk begins at 10 a.m. Registration is $30 for adults over the age of 18 and $15 for kids under 18. T-shirts are available while supplies last.

A 501c3 not-for-profit organization that specializes in the rescue and rehoming of senior dogs and cats, Young At Heart Pet Rescue is the only organization of its kind in the Chicago area. Founded in April 2005, the group has already saved over 400 companion animals that many considered “past their prime.” This event will help raise much-needed funds to care for those homeless senior pets in their care, awaiting forever homes.

“This event is a favorite of our supporters,” says Young at Heart’s Executive Director, Dawn Kemper. “It’s always so much fun to see all the dogs, and meeting people who believe that older pets deserve a second chance, too.”

In addition to the Mosey itself, there will be vendors, music and a bake sale to help support the organization. There will also be a “Smooch a Pooch” booth where, for a donation, you can get a kiss from a very cute pooch, while helping “Riley,” a dog recently rescued by the organization that needs to be treated for heartworm. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the “Smooch a Pooch” booth will benefit Riley’s medical expenses.

Kids can design their very own “pet rock” at the fundraiser walk, and enter it in a Pet Rock Pageant for “Most Creative,” “Most Pet-like” and “Best In Show” for prizes.

Your well-mannered pooch is welcome to join you for this event! He or she will enjoy the event as much as you. Please make sure the dog is up to date on his/her rabies vaccine, and on a leash no longer than 6 feet for everyone's safety. Extendable leashes must be locked at a 6-foot length. Dogs in heat are not allowed. There will be dog clean-up bags available at the check-in table if you forget your own.

Since its inception, Young At Heart has been continually rescuing and rehoming senior dogs and cats within Illinois. The group does not accept pets directly from the public, instead pulling its pets from overcrowded shelters that have open-door policies and must euthanize to make space. Each rescued pet receives top-notch veterinary care, with the rescue paying for vaccines, microchips, spay/neuter, any necessary dental care, geriatric blood work and other procedures necessary to make the pets as adoptable as possible. After they leave the vet, Young At Heart dogs are placed in licensed foster homes, and cats are placed in one of two small adoption centers at or Best Friends Pet Care in Prairie View for as long as it takes to find the pet’s forever family.

This event, in addition to providing a great time for you and your pooch, raises awareness about senior pet rescue and adoption, as well as much-needed funds to care for the senior pets rescued by the organization.  

"Everyone involved with Young At Heart has a soft spot for grey-muzzled dogs and sweet, lazy lap cats,” explains Kemper. “This event is a great way to come out and support the cause, while enjoying a day with your dog.”

So come on out, take a walk, and have some fun at the park. It's a great way to stay "young at heart" and help homeless senior pets at the same time!

To learn more about the event, visit http://www.firstgiving.com/yahpetrescue/mutt-mosey. Those interested in learning more about Young at Heart Pet Rescue are encouraged to visit www.yahpetrescue.com or call (847) 529-2025.

Can’t make the event, but still want to help? Donations towards the care of Young At Heart’s homeless senior pets may be made online through the rescue’s website or may be mailed to:

Young at Heart Pet Rescue

PO Box 1293

Palatine IL 60078