7 Essential Facts About Illinois Saint Bernard Rescue (Saints Among Us) And Adopting A Gentle Giant In 2025
The compassionate work of Illinois Saint Bernard Rescue, also known as "Saints Among Us," is more crucial now than ever as of December 25, 2025. This dedicated non-profit organization is the primary lifeline for Saint Bernard dogs and puppies across Illinois, Indiana, and surrounding Midwestern states, working tirelessly to provide shelter, intensive medical care, and a second chance at a forever home for these magnificent, yet often misunderstood, giant breeds. Whether you are ready to welcome a loving Saint into your family or simply want to support their mission, understanding the rescue’s operations, adoption requirements, and the specific needs of the breed is the first step toward becoming a true Saint’s savior.
The commitment required to rescue and rehabilitate a Saint Bernard—a breed prone to significant health issues and requiring specialized care—is immense. This article offers the most current and in-depth look at the Illinois Saint Bernard Rescue, detailing their mission, the adoption process, and the critical health and temperament information every potential adopter needs to know to ensure a successful placement in 2025 and beyond.
Illinois Saint Bernard Rescue: The Organizational Profile (Saints Among Us)
The "Saints Among Us" organization is the heart of Saint Bernard rescue efforts in the Prairie State, serving as a vital affiliate of the National Saint Bernard Rescue Foundation, Inc. Their operations are a testament to the dedication required to manage a giant breed rescue, focusing solely on the welfare of Saint Bernards, which often come from challenging circumstances, including abandonment, abuse, and relinquishment.
- Official Name: Illinois Saint Bernard Rescue ("Saints Among Us")
- Affiliation: National Saint Bernard Rescue Foundation, Inc.
- Primary Service Area: Illinois, Indiana, and neighboring Midwestern states.
- Location/Base of Operations: Primarily centered around Williamsville, IL, but utilizes a network of foster homes throughout the service area.
- Mission Statement: To protect and care for Saint Bernard dogs and puppies in need by providing shelter, necessary medical care, rehabilitation, and ultimately finding them loving, permanent "forever homes."
- Status: Non-profit organization, relying entirely on donations, fundraising, and volunteer support.
- Scope of Work: Rescue, veterinary treatment (including spaying/neutering as required by Illinois state law), behavioral evaluation, fostering, and adoption placement.
- Key Need (Current 2025): There is a consistent and pressing need for dedicated volunteers and foster homes, particularly in the Illinois area, to help manage the flow of rescued Saints.
The rescue's impact is measured not just in the number of dogs saved, but in the quality of life restored. Dogs like Joseph, a recent confiscation case who required extensive care before being made available for adoption, highlight the financial and emotional investment the rescue makes in each Saint. The adoption fees, which may vary (e.g., Joseph’s fee was $600, while a general fee may be around $350), are crucial to offsetting the high veterinary costs associated with large breed rescue.
The 7-Step Adoption Process: How to Welcome a Saint into Your Illinois Home
Adopting a Saint Bernard from a rescue organization like Saints Among Us is a thorough, multi-step process designed to ensure the perfect match between the gentle giant and their new family. This diligence is necessary due to the breed’s size, care requirements, and potential health needs.
- Application Submission: The process begins with a detailed adoption application. This document helps the rescue understand your living situation, experience with large or giant breeds, and your family dynamic (including children and other pets).
- Screening and Interview: A rescue representative will review your application. This is typically followed by a phone interview to discuss your expectations, the realities of Saint Bernard ownership, and to answer any questions you may have.
- Veterinary Reference Check: The rescue will contact your current or previous veterinarian to ensure all current pets are up-to-date on vaccinations and spayed/neutered, and that you have a history of responsible pet ownership.
- Home Visit: A mandatory home visit is conducted by a volunteer. This is not a judgment but an opportunity to ensure your home environment is safe and suitable for a dog of this size, checking for secure fencing, adequate space, and shade (due to their sensitivity to heat).
- Meeting the Saint: Once approved, you will be matched with an available Saint Bernard. This may involve meeting the dog at their foster home or a designated location to ensure a good connection.
- Finalization and Contract: Upon mutual agreement, the adoption is finalized with a contract. This legally binding document outlines your commitment to the Saint’s well-being and includes a clause that the dog must be returned to the rescue if the placement does not work out.
- Adoption Fee Payment: The adoption fee is paid at this time. This fee, which covers vetting, spay/neuter, microchipping, and initial care, is a crucial source of funding for the rescue's ongoing operations.
Understanding the Saint Bernard: Temperament, Training, and Critical Health Entities
To successfully adopt a Saint Bernard in Illinois, you must be prepared for the specific care demands of this breed. They are truly "gentle giants" but require dedicated owners who understand their physical and behavioral needs.
Temperament and Training Requirements (The Gentle Giant)
Saint Bernards are famous for their calm, patient, and loyal nature. They are generally excellent with children and other animals, making them wonderful family dogs. However, their sheer size (often exceeding 140 pounds) necessitates early and consistent training.
- Temperament: Patient, calm, quiet, and highly loyal to their family. They are not quick movers or thinkers, requiring patience from their owners.
- Socialization: Early socialization is absolutely critical for a dog as large and strong as a Saint Bernard to ensure they are comfortable and well-behaved around new people and environments.
- Training: Obedience training should start immediately. Because they are sensitive, they respond best to positive reinforcement techniques. Teaching basic commands like "sit," "stay," and "leash manners" is essential for managing their massive size.
- Exercise: They require moderate daily exercise but are prone to heat stroke due to their thick coats and size, especially in the Illinois summer months. Exercise should be limited during the heat of the day.
Critical Saint Bernard Health Entities (Entities 15+)
One of the biggest financial and emotional commitments of owning a Saint Bernard is managing their health. The Illinois Saint Bernard Rescue invests heavily in medical care because these dogs are genetically predisposed to several serious conditions.
Potential adopters must be prepared for the possibility of these conditions, which is why rescue organizations vet their Saints thoroughly:
- Skeletal and Joint Issues:
- Hip Dysplasia: A hereditary condition where the hip joint does not develop properly, leading to pain and immobility.
- Elbow Dysplasia: A similar condition affecting the elbow joint.
- Osteosarcoma: An aggressive form of bone cancer common in large breeds.
- Cardiovascular and Gastrointestinal Risks:
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM): A serious heart condition that affects the heart muscle.
- Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV) or Bloat: A life-threatening emergency where the stomach twists. Giant breeds are highly susceptible, and owners must learn preventative measures.
- Other Concerns:
- Heat Stroke: Due to their size and coat, they are extremely susceptible to overheating.
- Ectropion/Entropion: Eyelid conditions that require surgical correction.
- Wobbler Syndrome: A neurological condition affecting the neck and spinal cord.
Supporting the Saints: Fostering and Volunteering in Illinois
While adoption is the ultimate goal, the immediate needs of Illinois Saint Bernard Rescue are often met by a dedicated network of volunteers and foster families. The rescue operates primarily through foster care, meaning every foster home opens a space to save another life from a shelter or dangerous situation. Without foster homes, the rescue cannot continue its work.
Volunteers are needed for a variety of critical tasks beyond direct animal care, including:
- Transporting dogs to and from veterinary appointments, especially in the Chicago and Central Illinois areas.
- Assisting with home visits and adoption interviews.
- Fundraising and event planning to cover the extensive medical bills.
- Administrative support and managing online adoption listings.
If you are not ready to commit to a 10-14 year adoption but have a secure, loving home and experience with large dogs, fostering a Saint Bernard is one of the most impactful ways you can directly support the Saints Among Us mission in 2025. It is a rewarding experience that directly prepares a rescued Saint for their forever family.
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