Angel AMONG US
Local woman devotes time , energy to helping find lost pets
BY HANNAH SHILLO ILLIANA MAGAZINE
Vermilion County pet owners likely have one person in particular who comes to mind when they need help with their animals .
Though she goes by Angel Frazier now , Bridgette Angelique Palermo-Frazier was the name many people saw on social media for years before she made a new Facebook account in May under her new , shorter name .
She said it was easier to shorten her name , not only on social media , but also because her full name wouldn ’ t fit on her debit card .
Frazier , who is known throughout the county as the go-to person for finding lost pets and helping pet owners in general , said she found her calling back in 2007 when two of her cats , both 13 years old at the time , got out of her house for the first time ever . She said she didn ’ t get them back .
The devastation she felt was enough for her to dedicate her life to help minimize similar experiences for others .
“ I ’ m obsessed with finding the lost ,” Frazier said . “ I don ’ t want people to go through that heartache .”
When she first began helping others find their lost pets , she said it seemed like one person after another needed her help , and it just grew from there .
Now , Frazier said she is on call 24 hours a day , seven days a week , willing and able to help where she is needed most .
It wasn ’ t until 2013 when she created the “ PETS LOST & FOUND VERMILION COUNTY ILLINOIS ” Facebook group .
“ At first people thought I was nuts ,” Frazier said . “ They would ( say ), ‘ Nobody ’ s going to follow this ’ … We have 12,000 members now in our group .”
Frazier said she takes the time to vet each new member to make sure they are somewhat local . Though the group is labeled for Vermilion County animals , she does allow people who live in Fountain , Warren and Vermillion counties , all in Indiana , to join because she has known some animals to travel to all of those locations from Vermilion County , and vice versa .
“ Animals don ’ t know borders ,” she said . “ They ’ re going to go where they ’ re going to go .”
In order to ensure the process of locating animals runs smoothly , Frazier said she maintains contact with administrators from the other counties as well so they are not stepping on each other ’ s toes .
In addition to finding lost pets , Frazier has also started a pet food pantry and donation drive from her home .
She said people can drop off food donations and any pet supplies like pet carriers , toys , leashes and collars .
10 ILLIANA MAGAZINE — SUMMER 2022