Illinois 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt, Licensed, Foster-Based All-Breed Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation Organization
Rather than housing animals in stressful public kennels, every Dog is My Shepherd dog and cat decompresses inside a loving private foster home across Northlake, greater Chicagoland, Illinois, and southern Wisconsin.
Dog is My Shepherd Rescue & Rehab is a licensed Illinois 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, foster-based all-breed animal rescue founded and run in Northlake, Illinois by Magda and her rescue co-founder—two lifelong, hands-on dog-loving gals devoted to saving, training, and rehabilitating animals in crisis locally and nationwide.
We do not discriminate by breed, age, size, or background—from pit bulls to puppies, and everything in between, we rescue them all. Working directly with overcrowded shelters, euthanasia lists in high-kill facilities, owner surrenders, and abandoned animals on the streets, the two founders coordinate every step of an animal’s recovery: emergency transport, veterinary stabilization, our Heartworm Compassion Program, behavioral decompression in loving foster homes, and lifelong support for every adoptive family.
“We are run by two dog-loving gals that want to make a positive pawprint with both short-term and long-term goals. We know we cannot save them all, but we can save many, and it’s our mission to make sure they get their happily ever after.”
Co-founder and primary rescue director in Northlake, IL. Magda leads high-kill shelter euthanasia-list pulls, veterinary & Heartworm Compassion rehabilitation, adoption interviews, and direct community outreach across Chicagoland.
Alongside Magda, co-founded Dog is My Shepherd Rescue & Rehab to unite short-term crisis rescue with long-term behavioral rehabilitation, training, and community education—helping overlooked dogs and cats transition smoothly from shelters and streets into devoted forever homes.
Because our founders and volunteers spend their days hands-on with the animals, here is the fastest way to reach us for every type of inquiry:
After submitting your online adoption application, you’ll receive a private status link right away. Our volunteer screening team reviews applications within 48 hours, and once your application reaches Approved, our direct rescue coordinator phone numbers unlock on your status page (and are emailed to you) so we can finalize your phone chat and meet-and-greet!
Dog is My Shepherd Rescue & Rehab is a 100% foster-based rescue, meaning our dogs and cats live in loving private foster homes across Northlake and Chicagoland rather than in public walk-in kennels. One-on-one meet-and-greets are scheduled by appointment once your application is approved, or you can meet our dogs in person at our upcoming public adoption events!
We gratefully accept wire crates, unopened dog or cat food, martingale collars, harnesses, blankets, and toys! Because our network operates out of private foster homes, please email dogismyshepherd@yahoo.com to coordinate local drop-off or shipping instructions, or bring donated supplies to any of our upcoming public community events.
Email us anytime at dogismyshepherd@yahoo.com for an official 501(c)(3) tax-deductible donation receipt, or complete our Foster & Volunteer Sign-Up Form to join our volunteer community.
