Marilyn Stucki has lived in Sun City since 2003, moving from Palatine with her husband. They have three sons and one granddaughter. A dog, cat, or both has always been a part of the family.
Stucki said, “As a child, I always had a pet. I got my first cat as a little girl from my uncle. They had a litter of kittens. I had to pay twenty-five cents for the kitten. My very own first pet. I named her Sky.”
Stucki has been married for 53 years and has had five cats and two dogs during that time.
“Having a pet makes a home complete,” she said. “When we first met, I told my husband I came with pets. Hans came from a dog family. We have always had one or two pets in our home.”
Stucki’s love for animals led her to volunteer at the Huntley Animal House Shelter. The Animal House Shelter is a no-kill shelter that rescues and cares for homeless pets.
Stucki said, “I have volunteered for six years at the shelter. I volunteer four days a week, usually from 1-7 p.m. Before I volunteered there, I made fleece blankets for shelter. I got hooked when I went to look at cats and adopted a cat, Layla.”
The shelter has recently expanded, adding a state-of-the-art vet clinic on the shelter property to care for all the animals. Stucki said, “Unfortunately, we still don’t have a vet on the premises. The cats have a free-roam room, plus now two kitten free-roam rooms. I work with the felines, along with many other dedicated and caring volunteers, all of us aiming to keep these beautiful animals happy until they find their forever homes.”
Since its establishment in 2002, the Animal House Shelter has been a beacon of hope for countless animals. With its unwavering commitment, AHS has rescued, rehabilitated, and found homes for over 75,000 dogs and cats.
Stucki shared, “All dogs and cats are given all required vaccinations and boosters. They are neutered or spayed and microchipped. Dogs are dewormed and heartworm tested; cats are dewormed. Dogs are kept on preservatives during their stay at the shelter.”
Stucki shares a perspective that resonates deeply with her feelings.
She emphasized, “Rescue animals aren’t broken. They’ve experienced more life than another animal. If they were human, we would call them wise. They would be the ones with the tales to tell and the stories to write, the ones dealt a bad hand who responded with courage. Do not pity them. Do something. And be proud to have their greatness by your side.”
