Join The Movement
To End Poor Breeding Practices
Join Us in Creating a Better Future for Dogs
Herzog’s Heroes is a nonprofit organization committed to transforming the breeding industry to improve canine welfare. Our goal is to elevate and educate good breeders while making it harder for bad breeders to continue harmful practices.
Our Mission
Our mission is to create a standard of conscientious dog breeding leading to fewer dogs in shelters and a decrease in canine suffering.
Why This Matters
The breeding industry in the U.S. is plagued by outdated regulations and weak enforcement. The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) only applies to large-scale breeders, leaving small-scale breeders unregulated and countless dogs vulnerable to neglect. Worse, the American Kennel Club (AKC) opposes any regulatory change, protecting irresponsible practices under the guise of breeder rights.
What We’re Doing
Advocating for Change: We’re developing proposed regulations for Illinois to raise breeding standards, improve accountability, and ensure transparency.
Educating Breeders: We equip breeders with the tools and knowledge to prioritize canine welfare.
Empowering the Public: We raise awareness about the current state of the breeding industry and what you can do to help.
Building Unity: We connect rescues and breeders to create a stronger, unified movement for systemic change.
How You Can Help
Taking on the AKC and its powerful network won’t be easy—but with your help, we can succeed. Here’s how:
Take Legislative Action
Be the first to know when it’s time to take action. Sign up for our email list and when our proposed regulations are ready, we’ll contact you with a link to sign a witness slip in support on the Illinois General Assembly website.
2. Join a Committee
Help us tackle these challenges head-on with your time and skills. Consider joining one of our committees:
Rescue & Breeder Unification
Event & Volunteer Engagement (EVE)
Fundraising & Grant Writing
Marketing, Outreach & Education
3. Become a Volunteer
Your skills and time can make a huge difference! Whether you can help us with events, offer professional advice, or help educate others, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities.
Donate: Your contribution directly supports our mission to improve canine welfare.
Does your rescue or business want to team up?
Fill out the form to start the conversation about how we can partner or collaborate. There are plenty of ways we can show support for each other.
