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A smooch from a pooch: Rescue dogs meet pet lovers at kissing booth in Yorktown Center

Five-year-old Isaac Brennan of Naperville gets a little help as he poses with a canine friend at the SAINRescue.org doggie kissing booth at Yorktown Center Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 in Lombard.

Five-year-old Isaac Brennan of Naperville gets a little help Saturday as he poses with a canine friend at the SAINRescue.org doggie kissing booth at Yorktown Center in Lombard. (Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com/Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com)

By Brian Hill – Daily Herald Media Group

Wet, slobbery kisses were all the rage at the inaugural SAIN Rescue doggie kissing booth Saturday at Yorktown Center in Lombard.

The Bartlett rescue group that advocates for and saves homeless animals throughout the state of Illinois had eight tail-wagging dogs on site ready to smother guests in kisses as they posed for photos at the dog-friendly mall.

Amy Burchett, a board member of SAINRescue.org, talks Saturday to people about some of the animals available for adoption at the doggie kissing booth at Yorktown Center in Lombard.

Amy Burchett, a board member of SAINRescue.org, talks on Saturday to people about some of the animals available for adoption at the doggie kissing booth at Yorktown CenterLombard. (Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com/Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com)

“Our goal is to help find dogs their forever families and give them the second chance in the loving homes that they deserve,” said Amy Burchett, a board member of SAIN Rescue.

SAIN stands for Saving Animals In Need Rescue.

“This is our first year doing a kissing booth, so it’s kind of a trial by error, but Yorktown Center has been wonderful in a sense that they are dog-friendly,” Burchett continued.

Nine-year-old Olivia Burns, of Elgin, takes a break in a massage chair Saturday during the SAINRescue.org doggie kissing booth at Yorktown Center in Lombard.

Nine-year-old Olivia Burns, of Elgin, takes a break in a massage chair Saturday during the SAINRescue.org doggie kissing booth at Yorktown Center in Lombard. (Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com/Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com)

The nonprofit rescue, a foster-based organization, has been around for more than two-and-a-half years. It relies on donations to support its mission to rescue, rehabilitate and care for pets in need.

Abbie Knoepfler of Elgin and her daughter Olivia Burns, 9, give kisses on Saturday to one of the rescue dogs available for adoption at the SAINRescue.org doggie kissing booth at Yorktown Center in Lombard.

Abbie Knoepfler of Elgin and her daughter Olivia Burns, 9, give kisses on Saturday to one of the rescue dogs available for adoption at the SAINRescue.org doggie kissing booth at Yorktown Center in Lombard. (Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com/Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com)

“We’ve done other events here where we’ve been able to bring attention and awareness to our rescue and even get some of our pups adopted, which is the ultimate goal,” said Burchett.

You can find the group on Facebook and Instagram.

https://www.dailyherald.com/20260207/news/a-smooch-from-a-pooch-rescue-dogs-meet-pet-lovers-at-kissing-booth-in-yorktown-center/

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