App Preusen with foster dogs (left to right) Mabel, Molly, Ava, and Budd. Photography by Joel Lerner/JWC Media
WILMETTE – On any given week, Wilmette resident and mother of three Appi Preusen is busy seeking permanent homes for up to five homeless dogs or cats. Forget dog whisperer, this woman is a true animal rescuer who estimates she has saved 700 to 800 dogs and cats over the past 15 years.
“These animals are so abused and neglected,” Preusen said. “It hurts to see what happens to these animals.”
Her love of animals and animal rescuing appears to be in her blood. Preusen grew up in the rural town of Palmyram, Ill., where her mother began rescuing local pets that had been abused and abandoned. As long as she can remember, her mother had rescued pets and Preusen has found herself carrying on the family tradition. “It has never stopped,” she said.
Preusen is tapped into a network of other animal lovers who send her nearly 50 emails a day or post notices on the internet and social media informing her of a pet that needs to be rescued. She only rescues cats or dogs and is partial to older animals. “My heart goes out to the older ones,” she said. When she finds a good fit, Preusen sees if one of her reliable foster families is available to take the dog or cat, or she chooses to foster the animal herself. The foster family will take care of the pet until Preusen finds it a permanent home. She typically rescues no more than five dogs or cats at a time, limiting herself to one pet that she fosters at her own home.
Before she places the animal with a foster family, the pet is taken to a vet through one of the animal rescue organizations that Preusen works with, such as Baark, Fur Angels or Roar. Then she takes pictures and a video that she can post online for someone seeking to adopt a pet to see.
And Preusen makes sure to familiarize herself with the rescued animal so that she can find the right match. “I don’t find dog-less homes dogs. I find homeless dogs homes,” Preusen said.
App Preusen with two foster dogs Stanley at her feet and Buddy in her lap. Photography by Joel Lerner/JWC Media
In other words, Preusen is looking for the ideal home for the pet, ensuring that everyone is happy. This requires a rigorous adoption process where potential interested owners must complete an application, have a phone interview with Preusen and provide references. Preusen tries to match the pet’s needs with the potential owner’s lifestyle. For example, she fostered a young pit bull named Pork Chop who needed a lot of exercise. Ultimately, Pork Chop was adopted by a single woman with an active lifestyle, who enjoyed hiking in her free time.
After all of those steps are completed, Preusen does a home visit for a meet and greet between the pet and potential owner. The potential owner keeps the pet for 24 hours and then a decision is made whether it’s a good fit for adoption.
“I am in it for the dog or cat. That is my first priority. I want what is best for them,” Preusen explained.
She said often people have a specific breed in mind, rather than finding a dog that fits their lifestyle. “Definitely get a dog that matches your energy level,” she advised. But Preusen believes strongly in adopting a rescued pet rather than buying one from a pet store or a breeder. “Why go to a pet store or breeder when thousands [of pets] are euthanized everyday?” she asked.
While Preusen believes strongly in adopting rescued pets, she chooses to foster pets herself and place them in happy homes. “It is amazing to adopt a dog. But if you foster you can rescue many,” she said.
Want to learn more about Appi’s pets? Contact her at apreusen@yahoo.com.