“All God’s creatures great and small,
deserve a place to call home”

Our Mission:
To Rescue, Nurture, and Adopt as many dogs and cats as possible into forever, loving homes. To promote the health and well-being of companion animals; to educate pet owners on the importance of spaying, neutering, and regular veterinary care; to encourage pet ownership as a lifetime commitment and to share the joy that our pets offer.

Since our inception in 2007 we have worked relentlessly towards our mission. We began by realizing the need for a larger, safer, and more accommodating animal shelter. Our volunteers raised $225,000 for the new building, which opened in June of 2012. This new facility is well equipped to assist the animals and the staff. And it is beautiful, which increases the number of visitors and encourages adoptions. Distinct areas for the animals increase their comfort and their health while they await their forever home.

We are currently hard at work landscaping the new building. We started by building a courtyard, which holds the memorial pavers our supporters have purchased. Then we had irrigation and sprinklers installed. Our volunteers, along with the Bittersweet Garden Club, have worked tirelessly, digging, planting, and mulching. The finished project will be beautiful and inviting for years to come.

We continue to assist the animal shelter by purchasing enrichment items for the animals. The Friends pay for collars for every cat, to encourage their new owners to keep identification on their pets. We have purchased cat dens for the more timid cats. Giving them the ability to hide in their kennels lowers their stress level and improves their health. We have provided food dishes for the dogs which hang outside their kennels. This allows visitors to hand feed the dogs, encouraging socialization and good behavior. We are currently researching a sound system to play continuous soothing music to put the animals at ease during their stay.

We are now focusing on spaying, neutering and promoting veterinary care with our Low Cost Spay and Neuter program. We are selling 120 vouchers this year, for the low price of $20.00. The voucher allows the holder to take their pet to one of twelve local veterinarians for a spay or neuter, and the Friends pick up the bill for them. The decreased number of breeding pets will also decrease the number of animals needing homes; while initiating a relationship between the pet owner and a local veterinarian.

When someone learns that you are a part of the Friends group they tend to come to you with animal and shelter related questions. Sometimes we can answer questions, or make helpful suggestions, but we don’t have all of the answers, as we are not involved in the day to day operations at the animal shelter. The Friends do not work for the shelter, we work with the shelter. We share the common goal of bettering the lives of the pets in our community. The shelter employees do not have access to spend our funds, and we do not fund day to day operations at the shelter. When a suggestion or a request is made, whether by a volunteer or a shelter employee, it is voted on by our board. Due to the generosity of our animal loving community we have been able to make a big difference for the shelter animals and for other pets in the community. We hope this benevolent partnership continues to thrive for years to come.