Compassion in Action was created in 2003 to meet a desperate need in the Valley. Each month, 50 to 100 adoptable pets were being euthanized because our animal shelters were overcrowded, and local rescue organizations could not absorb the number pets needing rescue. Each Tuesday afternoon, rescuers had to pick who they saved, and anyone left behind was dead by Wednesday morning.
Someone had to find a way to keep these furry children alive until new homes could be found for them. After months of crying in front of kennels, I bought a license, got a credit card, took on a 75-hour work week and began saving every "left behind." For twenty months, MatSu Shelter was effectively no-kill; no adoptable animal was euthanized from November of 2003 until June of 2005. In that 20 months, I rescued over 500 shelter animals; as of November, 2006, that number is over 700. I have 36 up for adoption right now.
I do my best to find foster families for my rescued babes; if foster care isn't available, I pay for boarding kennels. I also pay for shelter rescue fees, spay/neuter surgery, vet care and advertising, and I supply foster families with food, houses, hay, etc.
Because their needs are so great, I do not have an adoption fee - my furry children are available to appropriate, loving families at no charge - but I always need donations. For the pets who do not find homes right away, I am building Kitty Kottages and Doggie Dorms. These are small, comfortable (ie., heated and lit) free-roam sanctuaries, designed in the same manner as those built for the Best Friends sanctuaries but on a much smaller scale. I hope to find a way to bring this effort into other communities soon, and end needless euthanasia throughout the state.
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