"Pet Photos means even more to me than capturing those loving memories for families and their pets. It's about caring for others and making a positive difference in the lives of everyone I interact with."
Lisa Kruss
photographer and founder
Pet Photos
Consistent in her mission to help others, Lisa has already donated over $6500 in photography and design services to local rescue groups, people and pet foundations, fundraisers and service dog organizations since the inception of Pet Photos in 2003.
She promotes companion animal adoptions and provides a free 5x7 print to reward her clients who choose to adopt their family pets, as well as offering local pet rescue groups special pricing for capturing photos of their adoptable pets currently in rescue.
Lisa and her rescued Dalmatian were certified Pet Partners (sometimes known as being a therapy dog), and Lisa volunteers for Dalmatian Rescue of Illinois.
In addition to supporting local groups, Lisa is also a long-time contributing member of the Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah, the nation's largest sanctuary for abused and abandoned animals. Best Friends' mission is to bring about a time when there are no more homeless pets.
In March 2003, Lisa went to see the miracles created by Best Friends first-hand, touring the sanctuary and volunteering with dogs at Dogtown Heights helping to walk, feed, brush, clean and share some love with these precious souls and she plans to go back to visit and volunteer again during Spring 2010.
Lisa explains, "The people at Best Friends are truly spectacular and inspirational! They are at the forefront of animal welfare, showing an unconditional dedication to the animals in need. If you are looking to support a charitable organization that makes a real difference in this world, Best Friends is one of my absolute favorites to recommend."
In September 2005, Best Friends was one of the first groups on the scene for the Hurricane Relief efforts after Katrina's destruction of New Orleans, volunteering to help rescue and retrieve animals from the abandoned city, feeding and housing them until their families could be found, or setting up adoptions with new families.
Find out how you can help Best Friends
OLD INFO Volunteering in the community
Animals have always been a large part of Lisa's life, and in many ways, her inspiration. Lisa has been a strong supporter of animal rescue programs, and spent two years volunteering as an adoption counselor at West Suburban Humane Society. In April 2003, Lisa adopted Sparky, an amazing, senior-aged Dalmatian, after seeing his photo on Petfinder.com.
After adopting Sparky, Lisa and her dog trained in agility together, and then became certified as Delta Society Pet Partners (sometimes referred to as being a therapy dog) for visits with the adoring residents of local assisted-living centers. They also participated in the 2004 and 2005 annual therapy dog event for teens in the special education program at Hinsdale South High School called Unconditional Love, and met the kids at NEDSRA 2006 and 2007 Halloween parties - where Sparky posed for photos and got lots of hugs! Also an experienced "pet model," Sparky's photos have appeared in Chicagoland Tails magazine, Living Without magazine, and K9 Kool Hats web catalog.
Between 2006-2011, Lisa donated graphic design services, photography and project coordination to PetsNPatients Foundation - a local not for profit organization which recognizes the healing bond between patients and their pets, shares inspirational stories, and connects volunteer foster homes with patients who might otherwise not be able to care for their pets while hospitalized. Lisa also donated photography services to Canine Companions for Independence a national non-profit organization that provides highly-trained assistance dogs to children and adults with disabilities and design services for the Animal Care League Shelter newsletter. Lisa also volunteered for the Dalmatian Rescue of Illinois, and provided photography services for dogs in foster care, as well as fostering two abandoned senior-aged dogs until they could be placed in loving forever homes.
Pet Photos donates
to these organizations:
