Vap – 4-month-old domestic short-haired kitty I came from a kill shelter in southern Illinois with my mom and 4 siblings. I am the last one from my litter looking […]
Lily – 8-month-old large breed mix When I first meet you, I may seem a little shy, but after a couple minutes, I will ask you to rub my belly […]
Happy – Short-haired tabby I was transferred from a kill shelter in southern Illinois to Helping Paws. I am new to the kitty room here and still adjusting, but so […]
Mariano – 5-month-old medium mix breed terrier I came from Oklahoma with six siblings. When all my siblings and I first arrived, we had some skin issues. Luckily, we are […]
Little Bow Wow – 7-month-old large breed mix Three months ago, I fractured my back leg, but now I am all healed and ready to play. The staff say I […]
Oslo – 3-year-old small mix breed I came from a kill shelter in southern Illinois. Before that, I was kept in a basement my whole life and used for breeding. […]
Captain – 11-month-old retriever mix I am neutered, have all my shots, and a microchip. Some of my favorite things to do are play with toys in the yard and […]
Biscuit – 2-year-old domestic medium-hair cat I was transported to Helping Paws Animal Shelter from Richland County Animal Control. I have all my vaccines, a microchip, and was previously neutered. […]
Poppy – 9-month-old Labrador retriever mix I was saved from Washington County Animal Control, in southern Illinois. One of my favorite things to do is be in the outside kennel, […]
Chloe – 3-year-old terrier mix Chloe came to Helping Paws from an overcrowded facility in Kentucky. She delivered pups three days after arriving. With her pups grown and adopted, it’s […]
Larry Lough is editor of The Independent and reports local news.
Janet Dovidio has been a freelance correspondent for The Independent for eight years.
Susan W. Murray wrote for The Independent, covering various beats, from 2005 to 2008.
Tricia Carzoli is a freelance writer and photographer that on community news.
