Look Back at Animal Shelter’s 2022

Executive Director Gardenia E. Janssen Animal Shelter

Happy New Year! Whew…2022 was a doozy. We started 2022 with 98 dogs and cats in care. As of 12/31/22 total intake is 1411: 677 dogs and 734 cats in need. As of 12/31/2022 we have 97 animals in our care: 78 dogs/19 cats. This number includes animals in the facility, in foster care for medical, waiting on available space, or awaiting transport to rescue partner. We made new friends, met new volunteers, fosters, adopters, transporters, and rescue partners. We were blessed with new donors and supporters, and we are grateful for all of it. We have enjoyed over 800 freedom rides and almost 400 transferred to our trusted rescue partners. Overall, we saved 97% of the lives in our care.

Animal welfare is hard. You see things you can’t unsee. It’s backbreaking, heartbreaking, hot, cold, wet, sweaty, dirty work. The work is mentally and emotionally exhausting. It’s also a labor of love and, more often than not, an extraordinary triumph. We have laughed and cried every day, mostly happy tears, but not all. We have learned lessons the hard way and given our heart and soul into ensuring those that find their way to us get everything we have.

2022 was infuriating, thrilling, frustrating, exciting, and tremendously exhausting. Through all of it you have supported us. Every. Single. Day. We have asked for everything under the sun and every single time you deliver. We cannot continue this life saving work without our remarkable community of support and we are eternally grateful for YOU.

Spay and neuter is the only way to manage the stray, unwanted dog and cat population in Fayette County. We offer a discount voucher program for the citizens of Fayette County for the spay/neuter of family pets. Call (979) 966-0021 for more info.

So as one door closes another opens and we are here to fight another day. We survived 2022 and are walking into 2023 with a stronger commitment to help those that can’t help themselves. We got this.

2022 Shelter Statistics

Intake: 1411 Adoptions: 854 Transferred to Rescue: 372 Return to Owner: 120 Humane Euthanasia: 42