About Our Organization

It all began in 2005 with a group of people who loved animals. But in particular, the older animals: Dogs who had a little grey around the muzzle, but whose hearts were young and whose love knew no bounds. Cats who lounged around, pretending to be hard of hearing, until the whir of the can-opener proved otherwise.

These animals had once been loved, cherished, and part of a family- until one day they were no longer wanted. Often, an older dog or cat sits patiently in a shelter, awaiting a soft voice, a kind hand, or even a friendly glance. They sit and wait, often scared, often depressed, and almost always overlooked by potential adopters.

Passed by for younger dogs and cats, these pets are often just what an adopter is looking for – quiet, calm, housebroken, good with kids, affectionate and easily acclimated to a new home. Yet, they sit and wait for someone to love them, until many times, it is too late.

In April of 2005, Young At Heart was formed to aid in the rescue and rehoming of older dogs and cats in the Chicagoland area. Since that fateful day, thousands of senior pets have been rescued and adopted into loving homes.

In September 2019, Young at Heart opened Chicagoland's first adoption center & sanctuary just for senior dogs and cats. This safe haven is our homestead; a place where more dogs and cats get a second chance at a loving home, a place where age is just a number, and a place where the care and comfort of those with greyer muzzles and stiffer joints than their younger counterparts come first and foremost. A place where all senior pets can find their happily ever after.

Young at Heart’s mission is to provide senior pets with a safe haven to ensure they live with comfort, compassion, and companionship in their golden years.

We are a non-profit 501(c)3 volunteer-based organization that operates with a small staff and an army of dedicated volunteers. We receive no federal or state funding, and rely solely on the generosity of pet-lovers like you, fundraisers like our Silver Paws Gala, and grants to support our mission and our rescued animals.