Dog Rescue Seeks Public's Support To Finish Its New Orland Park Home

ORLAND PARK, IL — A south suburban dog rescue and training nonprofit has found itself in need of help to move into its new home, and is turning to the community for support.

Founded by Tinley Park resident Sarah Montgomery and co-founder Maria Garcia, they've already leased the space to house Fido's Landing, but need a boost to complete necessary work before they can make the actual move.

They've hit some unanticipated expenses that are setting them back, and Sarah Montgomery said she's fearful their potential to help dogs in jeopardy could be impacted.

"We just want to get open," said Sarah Montgomery, CEO and founder. "We’re there, and the lease is signed. And we’re not going to be backing out. We’re too close."

Montgomery and her team at Fido's Landing are hopeful, but exhausted. The opening for the space at 11314 W. Southwest Highway feels just out of reach.

"It’s very painful," Montgomery said. "A good bit of tears between all of us."

They've set a potential move for spring 2025, and as the date nears, they're hoping supporters will pitch in to make it happen.

The currently foster-based Fido's Landing had its beginnings as Hello Fido training. which has since re-branded to Prowess K9, Montgomery said. Sarah had a heart for helping dogs; Shawn had a background as a K9 officer and trainer. As they built their business and people trusted them with their dogs, some also faced the difficult decision of rehoming them, and turned to the couple for help.

"We would get lots of surrenders, especially around COVID-19," Montgomery said.

Always one to try to help, she never shied from the ask.

"There was just such an urgent need for assistance," she said. "Helping children and dogs has always been my thing, from the get-go.

"... I was always giving all of my time, and probably more of my money than I should have to make sure animals are safe and fed. ... It just kept going and going."

As she took in displaced, surrendered, neglected, or abused dogs, her family and friends saw this as a bigger opportunity, and nudged her to start a nonprofit. As she mulled it, she also found herself navigating life as a mom of two children with autism. Shawn changed careers and became a pipefitter, shifting their schedules dramatically. She immersed herself in educating herself in and meeting her children's needs, but in the midst, found other pieces of herself slipping away.

"I was losing myself," she said. "You dive right in, you lose yourself."

Now with their children 4 and 5 years old and with a firm hold on life as a special needs mom, Montgomery found herself with more time to chase this particular dream.

"I know I’m always going to be the person who needs to work," she said. "I need to be working, helping people. Giving time and compassion to my community. That’s just how I am.

"I was really losing myself not doing it."

Started as Hello Fido in 2018, they re-branded to Fido's Landing in early 2024. Since March 2024, they've helped 269 dogs find new homes. Over the course of 14 years, she and her husband have helped between 400-500 dogs, she notes.

Their brand has become more recognizable, she said, which has helped secure physical donations of items and supplies. But, she said, without their location open, they're running out of space to store everything. It's all even spilled over into Shawn's "man cave," she joked.

Monetary donations are most helpful now, she said. They're hoping to raise $10,000 to complete necessary work and sustain the business.

"It's been hard," Montgomery said. "We knew it wasn’t going to be a walk in the park. It was anticipated, because I’m a planner.

"... At this point, actual money is a crisis. It’s hard."

Several schools have selected Fido's Landing as recipients of donation drives, and Montgomery is deeply grateful, she said. The supplies will be crucial in maintaining the dogs and facility once it's open.

The biggest hurdle currently is replacing the flooring. Even with purchasing the flooring, the quotes to complete the work were high, she said, and the funding is coming up short.

"We don’t want to continue to take money away from the dogs," she said.

In the meantime, they're seeking additional foster help.

"We need more fosters until we can open, or it’s just going to hurt more dogs," she said. "There’s a waitlist of private families, transports from other rescues, that we have to put on hold until we can open."

In addition to its outreach programs, Fido's Landing raises funds for service dogs and offers pet therapy visits. In 2025, they plan to launch sensory-friendly initiatives with IEP Clarity and introduce 'puppy love' hours for those seeking comfort. Training programs will be expanded, they will support more families in crisis, and "champion a community that prioritizes compassion and care," in hopes to "drive positive change and create a lasting impact."

They're also fueled by a mission to support families with special needs; both Montgomery and two Fido's Landing board members are mothers to children with autism.

Together, Montgomery and Public Relations Manager Christina Kreml work to design therapy programs for special needs children—even something as simple as creating decorations for a dog's kennel, Montgomery said. They also work with special needs families to find the right dog match for all, she said.

Always at the core is her desire to help—the dogs, and their human counterparts.

"We have been fortunate to be surrounded by an incredible community and want to share our support with everyone," their website reads.

With increasing numbers of dogs in need, if they can address the flooring, everything else can be done over time, she said.

The organization currently has 16 dogs in foster. Three more are coming in on Saturday, and nine more a week later.

"We just want to get in, and get going," Montgomery said.

"All we want to do is be open, so we can relieve some of the pressure."

Read more about Fido's Landing on their website, and see how you can donate. You can find them on Venmo, at $fidoslandingillinois, Zelle at info@fidoslanding, or text FIDOSLANDING to 53-555 to donate.