From the Houston Chronicle Neighborhood Edition

Tomball no-kill shelter is a haven for unwanted animals

By FLORI MEEKS
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle

Barbara Schulz knows each of the dogs and cats at Abandoned Animal Rescue by name.

"They all have their own stories," the shelter board member said. "We always have hope for them."

At any time, the Tomball no-kill shelter could be caring for 20 dogs, depending on their size, and about 16 cats. It also has two large kitten cages.

The facility offers low-cost spay and neuter services by appointment on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and it works to promote responsible pet ownership.

Founders of the Abandoned Animal Rescue in Tomball hold their pick of the shelter. From left, are, James Gordon, holding a dog named Rinkydink; Barbara Schulz with Sylvester the cat; Jill Brattain with another cat named Baby; and Angie Fenton with a dog, Foxylady.

To make all of this work, the nonprofit organization relies heavily on volunteers, which are in short supply.

The shelter's three board members want to recruit more of them by hosting a volunteer day and open house from noon-3 p.m. Saturday.

The program will take place in front of the shelter at 831 E. Main St., east of downtown Tomball. Board members and volunteers will serve cookies and soda, explain the shelter's mission, lead a short tour and give visitors a chance to play with the dogs and cats there.

They'll also provide information about volunteers and how they can make a difference.

Depending on how much time they have to give, volunteers can walk dogs, clean cages, put out fresh food and water and help with fund-raisers.

People also can serve as a foster parent by caring for additional program animals in their homes.

No one is asked to put in a minimum amount of hours each week.

The shelter welcomes help from youths. Teens 15 and up can work alone; those 14 and under must work with a parent

"Anyone who wants to walk dogs for an hour or play with the dogs and cats is welcome," said volunteer Patricia MacKinnon.

That dog walking is an especially valuable service, because it's the dogs' only opportunity for exercise. The shelter doesn't have a fenced outdoor area.

The work can be emotionally demanding.

"People find animals on the side of the road and bring them to us," MacKinnon said. "They may be sick or injured."

The clinic does have a small pool of veterinarians it works with, but sometimes the animals can't be helped.

"You feel so good about the ones you save," MacKinnon said. "When you can't save them, at least you know they're here instead of the street. They're getting love.

"They're being cuddled."

Some of these supplies go to the program's volunteer foster families.

All donations make a difference, MacKinnon said.

The shelter's only sources of funding are donations and its fees for spaying and neutering.

Despite the challenges, operating a no-kill shelter had been a long-time dream of board member James Gordon.

Both he and board member Angie Fenton had experience serving other rescue organizations, but they wanted to put their own ideas to work.

Last year, Gordon worked for an area veterinarian as a groomer and assistant. Schulz worked there in the back and front office.

When Gordon asked Schulz to be part of his and Fenton's effort, she immediately liked the idea.

They started the organization process by enlisting the spaying and neutering services of an area veterinarian who had visited their employer's offices.

"Our main goal is to control the animal population," Schulz said. "We could have just done adoptions, but we didn't think that would be enough."

From there, the board members launched a massive fund-raising effort.

They had bake sales, raffles and garage sales -- whatever it took to raise rent money for a facility.

By last October, they were able to move into a converted liquor store.

Since then, the organization has conducted 700 spay and neuter operations, and it has handled more than 280 adoptions.

Now the board members have their eyes on a larger facility.

A private donor recently contributed one acre of commercial land on Persimmon Road.

The organization will need between $100,000 and $150,000 to begin the building project.

Board members want the new facility to include a surgery room, quarantine area for incoming and sick animals, easily cleaned dog runs, an outdoor, fenced dog exercise area and an indoor cat playroom.

For more information about volunteer opportunities, shelter services or donations, call 281-290-0121.