Illinois Birddog Rescue (IBR), is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization and licensed shelter by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. We are dedicated to saving, transporting, vetting, fostering, and adopting homeless American Field bred Pointers and English Setters. Most of the dogs and puppies in our foster care program were strays or owner surrenders pulled from overcrowded shelters and humane societies from all over the United States. Perhaps some weren’t winning enough in Field Trials, maybe some became too old to hunt or to have litters of puppies, but many were gun shy. Due to IBR’s tick borne disease research, we know that many dogs and puppies infected with Lyme disease and co infections can not scent point as these diseases affect their natural hunting instincts. A dog that can not smell a bird and point is often a dog that will wind up in a shelter or worse- shot dead in a field for non performance. Many of these dogs have never had any flea and tick protection and many come in with heartworm disease due to never having any monthly preventative. WE do know that these diseases are also passed from mother to pup so many dogs are disposed of young as rejects through no fault of their own and once treated- gain back their natural hunting drive and scent pointing abilities. Sadly, all were in danger of being euthanized – never reaching their full potential until we pulled them to safety. We also take in Pointers and Setters from families that have been hit hard financially and are struggling due to the economy. These dogs come in from owners who have lost their jobs, some are facing foreclosure, some are going through divorce and sadly in many cases some have to be rehomed due to their owners passing away. On average we bring in 80 to 100 Pointers, Setters and a few mutts in between every year as funds allow and depending on foster care openings. IBR has adopted dogs on both coasts and several states in between besides Canada. Once an adopter is screened and approved and the adoption is finalized, dogs are moved via transport to their new homes via volunteer drivers or recently via Pilots N Paws.