Our Shelter Community Blog
Get behind-the-scenes stories from our shelter tours, discover practical resources and expert advice for rescue professionals, and read inspiring updates from organizations working to save homeless dogs"
Through our travels to shelters and rescues across the southern states, we've witnessed incredible innovation, heartbreaking challenges, and inspiring success stories. Our blog shares these real-world experiences alongside practical resources, grant opportunities, and insights that can help rescue organizations operate more effectively. Whether you're a shelter professional, volunteer, or advocate, you'll find stories and solutions that matter to the work of saving homeless dogs.
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Shelter Reality: You Cannot Save Them All - At least Not Yet
Leslie has been the director of Dekalb County-AL Animal Adoption Center in Alabama for seventeen years. She grew up here, and despite her ever-present smile, this is a hard place for someone with a heart for animals.
The municipally funded rural shelter handles over 3,000 animals annually. About 50% of those animals make it out through local rescue organizations, but some through local adoptions.
Jackson County WV: Rural Animal Shelter Challenges and Successes
Teresa began at the shelter, its live-release rate was only 25%. Euthanizing animals was part of her job, but it broke her heart. When the Humane Officer position opened, she jumped at the chance to change the narrative. Committing not to euthanize for space means the shelter often houses dogs for months or even years. It’s a challenging situation that is all too familiar in too many places. Turning away dogs at municipal shelters seems inconsistent with the mission of animal services, yet many shelters still do so.
