Friends Of Strays, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit no-kill animal shelter located in Princeton, Illinois. Founded in 1994, by Bonnie Doty and a small group of dedicated volunteers, Friends of Strays Animal Shelter provides rescue, rehabilitation, shelter and adoption services for more than a thousand abandoned, neglected or abused animals annually, primarily dogs and cats. Friends of Strays also works with local veterinarians and animal control to curb the unnecessary killing of adoptable pets by taking those scheduled to be euthanized and caring for them until a new home can be found. Friends of Strays serves the needs of unwanted, neglected and abused animals primarily in Bureau, Putnam and LaSalle Counties in Illinois, although, when the need arises, its volunteers, resources and space are available beyond those boundaries.

The organization and its work have grown with the need; fifteen years ago, the number of rescued pets was much smaller. In 1994, the Shelter housed the community’s neglected, abused and unwanted cats in a small building – a former corner grocery store – owned by a Friends of Strays member; dogs rescued from similar circumstances were housed at private foster homes until appropriate adoptions could be arranged. Many of the initial volunteers remain active within the organization.


P.O. Box 315
2845 North Main Street
Princeton, Illinois 61356
Phone: (815) 872-PETS (7387)