ON ANGELS' WINGS PETRESCUE Behind the Best 2025 Best of the Fox Winners ON ANGELS' WINGS Iver since she was a child, Emily Huetson has been bringing home mother, Jeannette Hager. er "She was rescuing pets when she was in kindergarten," Hager quipped. Today, Hager and Huetson put their love of animals to good use, saving animals and supporting the community through On Angels Wings, a pet rescue operation and adoption that is supported through its Crystal Lake resale shop. Hager serves as the organization's executive director and resale store manager and Huetson is the animal welfare director. Known as OAW, the pet rescue is a multi- faceted operation, saving the lives of pets, providing veterinary care, helping coordinate pet adoptions and managing a thriving resale shop that helps to financially support the mission. It takes the work of countless volunteers who share their time, homes and talents. There are volunteers who help care for the animals in the adoption center, which can house up to eight dogs and eight cats. "We have volunteers who help socialize the animals, walk the dogs, play with the cats, help clean and we even have night walkers to care for the dogs," Hager explained. There are volunteers who open their homes to foster pets until their adoption. Through fostering, the volunteers see the pet's true personality and give them respite until they can be adopted. Huetson admits she's failed at fostering a By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske 6500 Northwest Hwy #2D, Crystal Lake 815-356-8170 handful of times and she has an especially soft spot for aging dogs, and those who are nearing the end of their days. She said it's never easy to let them go, but she wants them to find peace and comfort. RESCUE S At OAW, the volunteers treat every pet like a beloved family member, from veterinary care to playtime. Veterinary care can be quite costly, one of the largest expenses the small rescue faces. To help raise funds, the organization hosts a large bingo fundraiser every November, having plenty of fun and raising awareness and dollars in support of the mission. The other fundraising comes from the resale shop, located next to the adoption center. The idea behind the resale shop was born following the mother-daughter duo spending time as volunteers with Sparrow's Nest Thrift Store. They were inspired by it to create a resale shop in support of their animal rescue efforts. Volunteers at the resale shop handle donations from individuals, local retailers and estate sale businesses ensuring items are displayed in the store and manage the shop's online e-bay store. Volunteer Michelle Miller helps manage the shop, keeping the displays to look inviting, Hager said. Volunteers are the heart of the organization, giving a few hours a week, a day a month or as often as possible, Hager said. The work is rewarding and hard. To see an animal find its new forever home is a special joy, though lately there have been rising numbers of pets surrendered as owners find they are unable to continue caring for them. "It's at a very difficult point," Hager said. The agency takes in most of its rescues from shelters that would have to euthanize the pets due to limited space in their shelters. The rescued pets can be mixed breeds and these days, there are more pure bred, even the designer dogs like golden doodles, that are sought after. Hager said the organization recently helped navigate adoption for pure-bred puppies. The rescue also tries to support pet owners in need with its pet pantry. It also offers short-term pet housing to help domestic abuse victims, who might choose to stay in a dangerous relationship than risk leaving and losing a pet, Hager said. ON ANGELS ' WINGS PETRESCUE Behind the Best 2025 Best of the Fox Winners ON ANGELS ' WINGS Iver since she was a child , Emily Huetson has been bringing home mother , Jeannette Hager . er " She was rescuing pets when she was in kindergarten , " Hager quipped . Today , Hager and Huetson put their love of animals to good use , saving animals and supporting the community through On Angels Wings , a pet rescue operation and adoption that is supported through its Crystal Lake resale shop . Hager serves as the organization's executive director and resale store manager and Huetson is the animal welfare director . Known as OAW , the pet rescue is a multi- faceted operation , saving the lives of pets , providing veterinary care , helping coordinate pet adoptions and managing a thriving resale shop that helps to financially support the mission . It takes the work of countless volunteers who share their time , homes and talents . There are volunteers who help care for the animals in the adoption center , which can house up to eight dogs and eight cats . " We have volunteers who help socialize the animals , walk the dogs , play with the cats , help clean and we even have night walkers to care for the dogs , " Hager explained . There are volunteers who open their homes to foster pets until their adoption . Through fostering , the volunteers see the pet's true personality and give them respite until they can be adopted . Huetson admits she's failed at fostering a By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske 6500 Northwest Hwy # 2D , Crystal Lake 815-356-8170 handful of times and she has an especially soft spot for aging dogs , and those who are nearing the end of their days . She said it's never easy to let them go , but she wants them to find peace and comfort . RESCUE S At OAW , the volunteers treat every pet like a beloved family member , from veterinary care to playtime . Veterinary care can be quite costly , one of the largest expenses the small rescue faces . To help raise funds , the organization hosts a large bingo fundraiser every November , having plenty of fun and raising awareness and dollars in support of the mission . The other fundraising comes from the resale shop , located next to the adoption center . The idea behind the resale shop was born following the mother - daughter duo spending time as volunteers with Sparrow's Nest Thrift Store . They were inspired by it to create a resale shop in support of their animal rescue efforts . Volunteers at the resale shop handle donations from individuals , local retailers and estate sale businesses ensuring items are displayed in the store and manage the shop's online e - bay store . Volunteer Michelle Miller helps manage the shop , keeping the displays to look inviting , Hager said . Volunteers are the heart of the organization , giving a few hours a week , a day a month or as often as possible , Hager said . The work is rewarding and hard . To see an animal find its new forever home is a special joy , though lately there have been rising numbers of pets surrendered as owners find they are unable to continue caring for them . " It's at a very difficult point , " Hager said . The agency takes in most of its rescues from shelters that would have to euthanize the pets due to limited space in their shelters . The rescued pets can be mixed breeds and these days , there are more pure bred , even the designer dogs like golden doodles , that are sought after . Hager said the organization recently helped navigate adoption for pure - bred puppies . The rescue also tries to support pet owners in need with its pet pantry . It also offers short - term pet housing to help domestic abuse victims , who might choose to stay in a dangerous relationship than risk leaving and losing a pet , Hager said .