Leia’s Hope Canine Rescue is a foster based rescue located in Decatur IL.

Our Mission: To rescue, rehabilitate, and find loving forever homes for senior dogs in animal control facilities and dogs suffering in commercial breeding operations (puppy mills). To educate the public about the cruelty behind the commercial breeding industry and give each dog a voice through their story. We believe every dog deserves a chance at life, love, and happiness—no matter their past.

Our Why
At Leia’s Hope, we focus on two of the most forgotten populations: senior dogs left behind at animal control facilities and dogs discarded by the commercial breeding industry, often known as puppy mills.

Senior dogs are often the first to be euthanized when shelters run out of space. They wait quietly, overlooked, as younger dogs are chosen. These dogs have known love, only to be abandoned when they need it most.

Puppy mill dogs have lived a different kind of tragedy—one of silent suffering. Used solely for profit, they spend years locked in small, filthy cages or dark barns. They are denied basic veterinary care, nutritious food, clean water, and any shred of human affection. They’ve never felt grass beneath their paws, a gentle hand on their head, or the comfort of a warm bed. Their teeth rot. Their bodies break down. Their spirits grow dim. And when their bodies are no longer profitable, they are discarded like trash—killed, abandoned, or sold at dog auctions to the highest bidder, where the cycle of misery may continue.

Rescue is their only hope.

Leia’s Hope, alongside other dedicated rescues, attend these heart-wrenching auctions—not to support the industry, but to intervene. Some criticize this, arguing that purchasing dogs gives mill owners money. We understand and respect that viewpoint. But we also know this: over a million dogs are trapped in mills. Only a fraction make it to auction, and rescues can save barely 20% of those. The rest? We often never know what becomes of them. What we do know is this—if buying their freedom is the only way out, then we will buy it. Because if it were your child locked in a cage, wouldn’t you do the same?

What We Do
We raise funds year-round specifically to rescue and rehabilitate dogs from commercial breeding facilities. Dogs coming from auctions or mill surrenders often require extensive medical care and emotional healing. We give them both. From spay/neuter surgeries to dentals, from vaccines to soft beds and soothing voices—they receive everything they need to begin again.

Every dog lives in a foster home, never a kennel, where they experience love—sometimes for the first time. They are treated like family as they learn what it means to be safe, wanted, and cherished.

Leia’s Hope is entirely volunteer-run. We rescue from shelters, breeder auctions, mill surrenders, and owners who can no longer care for their pets. Every dog is fully vetted: spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and started on heartworm and flea prevention. Many need more than just the basics, and we are committed to giving them everything they need for a full and happy life.

How You Can Help
We can’t do this alone. If our mission speaks to your heart, please consider becoming a foster (Decatur, IL and surrounding areas) or making a donation to help us continue saving lives. Just click the “Donate” button at the top of the page.

Together, we can be the voice—and the freedom—for those who have none.

Leia’s Hope Canine Rescue
Where healing and hope begin.

Ask us about adopting or fostering one of our great dogs!