Heidi needs a home.

Heidi, a 5-year-old terrier/pit bull mix, has been at TAILS Humane Society, 2250 Barber Greene Road in DeKalb, for almost 300 days. The dog lived with an older woman until she could no longer take care of a dog Heidi’s size.

“Heidi loves to give kisses, is house- and harness-trained and would love to find her forever home,” TAILS Executive Director Michelle Groeper said. “She would need to be the only pet in the house, preferably in a house without small kids. She is happy and healthy and so full of love. She needs a home.”

Animals stay at TAILS, a “no-kill” shelter, until they are adopted. Puppies, kittens and senior animals are quickly adopted, but middle-aged pets like Heidi can stay for longer, Groeper says, “with no obvious reason why.”

TAILS was established in 1999 by a group of local animal advocates. The animal shelter operated out of an old farmhouse until it opened its current facility. TAILS’ low-cost spay/ neuter clinic and dog training building opened in 2009.

This year, TAILS will take in more than 2,200 animals that are strays or have owners who can no longer care for them. Animals that can be adopted at TAILS include dogs, cats, guinea pigs, gerbils, birds and rabbits.

Groeper said that about 70 percent of TAILS’ adult dogs and practically all of their adult cats are from DeKalb County or the Chicago area. TAILS also partners with animal shelters in Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma to save animals from euthanasia, transport them to DeKalb and have them adopted.

“We take in some puppies from the southern United States, where there are no neuter or spay laws and not enough space,” Groeper said. “We are happy to partner with these animal shelters because the puppies wouldn’t have much of a chance otherwise.”

One dog, Roo, was on an euthanasia list with heartworm and an arthritic hip. She was malnourished and nursing two small puppies when she arrived at TAILS.Through TAILS’ fundraising efforts, she will receive treatment and surgery, recover in a foster home and will soon be ready for adoption.

“We are giving animals a chance at a happy life and a loving home,” Groeper said. “When adopted, most animals can go home the same day. Adoption costs include vaccination, spay or neuter, microchip, a wellness visit with local vet. Dog adoption costs include a $75 TAILS obedience class, which can be refunded if completed elsewhere.

Stefanie King of Sycamore has been visiting TAILS for the past month, hoping to find her 7-year-old son Brandon Ziegler a puppy for Christmas.

“He’s always wanted a dog, and I would want a dog that’s house-trained,” King said. “It’s so sad to see all of the dogs here, waiting to find their home. It makes me want to take them all home, if I could.”

Roel Alcantar Luna of Mount Prospect said that he looked around at a few adoption shelters before coming to TAILS, where he adopted Aladdin, a 7-year-old Siamese mix. Aladdin was a stray cat with fleas before he came to the shelter.

“I’ve been around cats before, and I always wanted to have one myself,” Alcantar Luna said. “When I walked into the room, he was friendly and wanted to play. I’m excited to take him home. I’ll have that unconditional love, someone to come home to.”

Adoption is not the only way to help the animals at TAILS: volunteers and cash donations are always needed and accepted.

TAILS is a nonprofit organization, funded completely by donations. Children as young as 5 years old can volunteer at TAILS with their parents, and children and adults 16 and older can volunteer alone.

Volunteers not only help clean up after the animals, they also walk and play with them, answer phones and help with office mailings.

“We want to find all of our animals good homes,” Groeper said. “We also love to hear stories and see follow-up pictures. Adoption during the holidays is great, but it’s important any time of the year. You can come with others or alone to bring your new family member home.”