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 August 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 fourteen 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. June 01, 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, Grayslake, Illinois. “This is my vision in reality,” she said.

Since 1972, Gertrude Maxwell has saved over 70,000 homeless dogs and cats. She encourages adoptions through radio and TV commercials.

PROFILE OF GERTRUDE MAXWELL

“A voice for the voiceless animals who cannot speak for themselves,” Gertrude Maxwell is one of the most outspoken defenders of unwanted and homeless companion pet animals. She is 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 recipient of over 150 awards, honors and proclamations. She has 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 her success with animal welfare: New York Times, 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.

She is in numerous television stories and commercials making people aware of animal welfare problems and viable solutions. Viewers are urged to adopt pets and to spay and neuter pets as a solution to pet overpopulation. Save-A-Pet commercials are aired regularly on: AP, CNBC, CNN, FOOD, COOKING, FOXN, HISTORY, LIFE, NICK, MSNBC, A&E, HEADLINE NEWS, TWC (weather channel) and DISCOVERY CHANNEL.