Friends of O.F. Animal Control Wrap Presents for the Animals

Pictured above are volunteers wrapping presents for the Animals. (L to R:)Kirstin Dahm, Morgan Fedro, Kathy Wojtasik, Katie Lewandowski and Cindy Gawenda. Not pictured is JoAnn Levinske, Lana Logan and Patricia Walsh

Tonight volunteers from Friends of Oak Forest Animal Control were wrapping presents, sipping hot cocoa and eating cookies all to raise money for medical expenses for unclaimed animals in Oak Forest. Truth be told, there was more wrapping going on than anything, because they had a full house of presents to be wrapped, all for $1 a present. "A small price to pay to help the animals and get my wrapping done," commented one donor laughing and eating a cookie.

This is an annual fund raiser that the organization puts on to raise much needed money for the cause. There is no better place to be a stray animal, than Oak Forest. Now I might be a bit biased because I have met the Friends of Oak Forest Animal Control. They are an amazing commission of the city of Oak Forest, consisting of volunteers who assist the Oak Forest Animal Control. They make sure that all lost, stray or abandoned animals in Oak Forest, either find their way home, stay with a loving foster family or get adopted. Their mission is to save the lives of Oak Forest stray animals.

If a stray animal comes to the Oak Forest Animal Control with medical needs, the Friends of Oak Forest Animal Control step in and pay for their medical costs to get them well enough to foster or be adopted. No animal left behind, should be their motto because this is their mission and it is truly a noble one.

"We need fosters more than anything", said Morgan Fedro when I asked her what the commission needs most. She is a volunteer for the organization and explained that when animals come in who are ultimately unclaimed, they need fosters to house them while they work to get them adopted to a permanent home. Second thing they need most is dry dog and cat food. "We always need that," she said.

Being a foster for the friends of the Animal Control is a worth while cause and if you have a big heart, you probably qualify. Literally, by fostering, you are saving the life of an animal and that is what it is all about. Most stays with a foster family range from 2 weeks to 2 months and you can have other pets in your home. The great thing is that it will not cost you anything. All expenses associated with fostering an animal is paid for by the Friends of the Oak Forest Animal Control. And I mean everything; food, crates, beds, toys, medical care and everything in between. So the only thing you need to provide is a warm place and a warm heart.

If you are interested in fostering you can call 708-903-1845 and someone will help you. You can also go to their facebook page to ask questions.