betsy

We are a volunteer-run, no kill shelter running out of a leased 574 sq ft, 8 kennel facility. We average 150 dogs a year through our doors, about 2/3 of those do not get redeemed to their owners and are placed for adoption. Many of our dogs that come in are in rough shape - some have never seen a vet before, have been used for fighting, breeding, are terribly thin and covered in fleas, etc. Our volunteers pride in caring for these dogs that have been left behind so that they can get into the home that they have always deserved. Before going home, all of our dogs are fixed (unless medically unable to do so - it has happened with seniors and cancer patients), microchipped, vaccinated for rabies, DHLPP, lyme (after testing) and bordatella, and are on heartworm preventative (after testing, of course). Someday we hope to have our own building, with safe, ample space for dogs, cats, and other companion/equine/reptilian friends.

Our volunteer force in 40 strong. We're open 7 days a week, 365 days a year (yes, including all holidays, hurricanes, blizzards, acts of dog....) with no paid staff to cover when someone "doesn't want to come in". We run on 3 shifts a day, 2 of which are open to the public and one where someone is there to let the kids out to potty before bedtime. They've been known to pop in at all hours, be it for an 11:30 "lunch break" with Pilot (our longest resident of 3.5 years) or at 2am when a nasty thunderstorm is rolling through and the kids are terrified. One of our volunteers has also started an educational outreach program to teach elementary school students about proper pet care, and runs an internship program for the youngest volunteers in our shelter. We're in the process of working out consistent transport for animals in our community to go to a local(ish) low-cost spay/neuter clinic - it's tricky with large dogs and personal vehicles, so we will see where the ideas take us.