THE BEGINNING OF SAVE-A-PET
In 1972, Gertrude Maxwell was horrified when she learned that every month over 90,000 animals were destroyed in the United States. Strays were being scooped up, and after five days or less, they were euthanized.
She attended the City of Highland Park’s Council meeting on August 28 and asked for, and was granted, authorization to save their homeless animals from the Highland Park dog pound. As of Aug. 28, 1972, she was a pioneer in founding Save-A-Pet, Inc., Illinois, as a “No-Kill” humane organization in Highland Park. Animal euthanasia would never be practiced.
The editor of the Chicago Tribune ran an article about Save-A-Pet and their need for help. Many people came forward and contributed toward Save-A-Pet’s humane efforts, which benefited 14 Chicago North Shore communities. The city of Highland Park, village of Skokie, village of Deerfield, along with Mt. Prospect and Prospect Heights, are still serviced by Save-A-Pet.
In 1972, Gertrude Maxwell also pioneered in founding Save-A-Pet’s “No Kill” – “a first” Goldman–Maxwell Sanctuary, shelter and adoption center in Palatine, Illinois. On June 1, 1996, she cut the ribbon at 2:00 p.m. for the opening ceremonies of the new Save-A-Pet “Maxwell-Goldman Animal Shelter and Adoption Center,” a modern full-care facility in Grayslake, Illinois. “This is my vision in reality,” she said.
Maxwell passed away on Jan. 18, 2011, at the age of 99. Since 1972, she and Save A Pet organizations have saved over 80,000 homeless dogs and cats.
PROFILE OF GERTRUDE MAXWELL
“A voice for the voiceless animals who cannot speak for themselves,” 
Gertrude Maxwell was one of the most outspoken defenders of unwanted and homeless companion pet animals. She was a strong opponent of animal euthanasia, insisting that spaying, neutering and efforts to promote adoption are humane answers to pet overpopulation problems.
Gertrude Maxwell is the recipient of over 150 awards, honors and proclamations. She received hundreds of formal compliments from state, county and community leaders, organizations and the media.
The following national and local magazines and newspapers have written about Maxwell’s success with animal welfare: The New York Times, The National Enquirer, National Star, Christian Science Monitor, Houston Post, The Lerner Life in Chicago, Washington Star, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, Chicago Today, Highland Park news of Chicago, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Miami Herald, Sun Sentinel, The Fort Lauderdale News, the Miami News, Associated Press, United Press International, The dog World, Dog Digest, A.A.R.P. and locally the Condo News, The Lake Worth Herald, Breakers Profile of the Breakers Hotel, The Palm Beach Evening Times, The Palm Beach Post, The Palm Beach Daily News (“Shiny Sheet”), Palm Beach Society Magazine and the Palm Beach Illustrated.
Maxwell appeared in numerous television stories and commercials to make the public aware of animal welfare problems and viable solutions. Viewers were urged to adopt pets and to spay or neuter their pets as a solution to pet overpopulation. Save-A-Pet commercials have aired on: AP, CNBC, CNN, FOOD, COOKING, FOXN, HISTORY, LIFE, NICK, MSNBC, A&E, HEADLINE NEWS, TWC (weather channel) and DISCOVERY CHANNEL.
