Nothing Fancy but Estill County is Saving Lives
Estill County Animal Shelter in Ravenna, Kentucky, is not fancy. In fact, the dogs bunk three and four to a kennel and stretch their legs by running around inside the small metal building while their kennels are being cleaned.
But they are all safe. Even if they may be a bit cramped (for now…), they want for nothing in terms of food, vaccines, dewormers, toys, and certainly canine companionship.
This community supports its shelter. As Brittney, the current director, explained, “We live in a flood plain, and we’ve struggled through some big stuff. We take care of each other because we have to.”
Brittney knows that if she posts a need – whether it's food, litter, or other supplies – the community will quickly meet it. Even their sheriff fosters dogs. The county is blessed to have a Judge Executive and municipal government that supports the shelter. In fact, they have land and blueprints and will soon break ground on a much-needed new shelter.
The current shelter is small, old, drafty, and dark. The staff makes the most of the spaces and has serious cleaning protocols, but more space would be a game-changer. The dogs are crowded, and the staff tries to match up each kennel pack so that there is enough room. Dogs who resource guard or need their own space are kenneled separately.
They also have a quarantine and medical area for new dogs and for keeping animals exhibiting any symptoms separate from the general population.
Committed to not euthanizing for space, the shelter saves most of its dogs with the help of solid rescue partners like Paws 4 the Cause, The Way Home Rescue Alliance, Pawsitive Change Matters Most, and others.
At the time of our visit in fall 2025, there were two full-time employees, Brittney and Loretta, plus Jamie, who works part-time. Brittney has worked at the shelter on and off since 2016, returned full-time this past July, and took over as director in September 2025. Loretta has been at the shelter for about a year.
Two and a half employees can’t possibly do all that is necessary for the care, treatment, and placement of over 600 dogs a year (plus 425 cats), but at the moment, they are joined by Brittney’s mom and husband, who both volunteer nearly full-time. They couldn’t possibly provide the care they do without their help. More volunteers are desperately needed. Hopefully, the new building will bring them in, as well as more local adopters.
Most of the dogs leave through rescues, but there are also local adoptions. Brittney says they are very picky. Dogs are often adopted out unaltered, but residents are required to take care of that and leave as ‘foster to adopt.’
Woodstock Animal Foundation comes to the shelter and sets up a low-cost clinic ($60/dog) in the vet room once a month. There are three surgery tables, and the staff assists on Spay Day, as the team normally spays and neuters more than 40 animals. The clinic serves the community, and if there are extra spots, some shelter animals will also be altered.
The shelter has a few fosters, mostly for puppies and kittens, but all of the staff take home fosters. Loretta told us about her current foster dog, who was out in her car. She couldn’t leave him home because he broke his way out of her house and ran back to the home where he was seized. She said she has a soft spot for the tough cases, including chihuahuas who bite.
We watched as Brittney simultaneously vaccinated and dewormed a kitten, fielded a phone call, answered our questions, and counseled the kitten’s foster caregiver about a diet that might help the kitten’s tummy troubles.
The job seems overwhelming, but Brittney just smiles and explains she never stops moving. She loves her job. She can’t not help. Seeing these animals to safety is the reward, especially the dogs who come in so terrified and broken. She wants them to know the ‘love they have never known, but should have.’ That said, she admitted that it is something she must take day by day because ‘at the moment 58 animals depend on us.’
The nonstop flow of dogs keeps the shelter full despite how many they move through rescue and adoption. The shelter serves not just Estill County, but also Lee and Owsley Counties. Many of the dogs are dumped or simply not wanted by their owners. Brittney tries to make room for all of them, but is in the process of creating an album on Facebook for dogs in need of rehoming. She worries about the animals they can’t take in immediately.
Shelter records are all on paper, but we talked about helping the shelter get some form of software to track their numbers and stay on top of vaccines. Brittney knows that would make her job easier and the dogs’ care more consistent. Although I have no doubt that she keeps piles of those records in her busy head.
This shelter depends on its community, but they also give back when they can. The staff is always willing to offer food or supplies when needed, or offer advice, dewormer, or anything to help keep the animals from coming to the shelter. They participate in the life of the community whenever possible, taking animals out for festivals, and the weekend following our visit, they planned to participate in the Trunk or Treat event.
Like so many other places, ECAS relies on rescues to save lives. Most of those rescues are local, which is working for now. The new building will be a big step toward creating a community that supports and equips them with the education and resources needed to adopt for a lifetime, not just a season. Hopefully, it will also encourage even more people to volunteer at the shelter and get involved. With solid community support, leadership committed to saving lives, and available, affordable spay/neuter, the right pieces are in place.
To walk into this shelter or drive through the county, you might set a pretty low bar for a municipal shelter, but this little shelter is proving that heart sometimes trumps expectations.
If you’d like to support the work of Estill County Animal Shelter, consider shopping their Amazon Wishlist. You can look them up on Facebook to follow their progress toward a new shelter.