Founder and president of Four Paws Animal Foundation, Arleen Braun, will never forget the time she found two Siamese cats jammed into one carrier on the side of the road in Hanover Park.

“These poor cats. They didn’t know what was happening to them,” said Braun. “They had giardiasis. It’s (caused by) a parasite that you get from stagnant water or contact with another cat. It was quite a thing to get them back in order and healthy.”

But Braun eventually brought Gus, 12, and Shawn, 7, back to a healthy state and after three months they were adopted by a family with a 10-year-old child.

Braun has always loved animals. In fact, she loves them so much her Bartlett home is certified by the Illinois Department of Agriculture to be an animal shelter. In order to be certified, Braun has to produce an updated report on how many animals she takes in, how many have been adopted and how many have been euthanized each year. She also received random visits from the Agriculture Department.

Currently, Braun lives with five cats, five kittens and her Pomeranian, Toby. Many of the cats that stay in her home are former strays she takes in from surrounding shelters.

In addition, she’s taken it upon herself to maintain three licensed animal foster homes. This way, she has additional options when her home and Four Paws is at full capacity.

Braun said it is important every animal she cares for has proper medical attention. She makes sure that all animals are spayed or neutered and microchipped.