When I started my job we had so many dogs we literally didn’t have enough adoption kennels for them. Dogs were in adoption kennels, boarding kennels, here, there and everywhere. But when our adoption rate went up and our population went down, we began thinking, “How can we help out other shelters?” And so our transfer program was born.

It started pretty local…we would help out those in neighboring counties. It was such an amazing feeling to help free up some kennel space for those that truly needed it. Not long after we started this program my coworker visited a shelter in Fresno. He mentioned that they were inundated with awesome dogs. And so they were added to our rotation as well. Before I knew it rescue coordinators from other shelters were contacting us and asking if we would be willing to pull dogs from them. It was such an amazing feeling! We got to help and in return we got to meet rockstar dogs andmade friends with other animal welfare organizations.

I feel so fortunate to be in the situation in which our population allows us to bring in transfer dogs and that those we are getting them from trust us with their care. Plus that look in their eyes when we first meet does not compare to anything else. It makes my heart full every single time. And most of all, I love sharing those happy adoption pictures with those who cared for them before us.