Unleash Generosity

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

#GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. Your donation supports our mission and helps our animals in need, like Kane (see story below). Any amount is greatly appreciated!

CLICK HERE to make a gift

Kane’s Story

On December 11, 2024, Kane arrived at our shelter as a stray. His experience at the shelter was difficult at first. Staff quickly learned that Kane was reluctant to re-enter his kennel after walks and his reactions to leashes were unpredictable at times. During his behavioral evaluation, Kane became highly overstimulated and even leapt on top of the table! Our veterinarian, Dr. Em, gave Kane his medical exam and saw that he had Auricular chondritis – a rare, immune-mediated inflammation of the ear’s cartilage, causing painful, swollen, and sometimes deformed ear flaps (pinnae). With a lot of gentle care, patience, and compassion from our team, Kane started to warm up to people and show his true loveable (and quite goofy) personality.

Our trainer, Debi, worked with Kane on soft muzzle training – a method used to reduce stress during veterinary handling. Kane showed that he was a motivated dog who was eager to learn, especially when spray cheese was involved. He mastered several other commands such as “sit”, “down”, and “paw”. He also learned to wear and walk on a harness.

Kane began to go on off-site outings with staff members. His outings exposed him to new sights, sounds, and smells. Over time, Kane was able to quietly watch other people and dogs pass by without barking or pulling towards them. Over the several months he was in shelter, this 2 year old Pitbull went from an anxious, overstimulated dog to a playful, happy-go-lucky friend.

Kane waited patiently as the other dogs around him got adopted. While we were concerned that the kennel stress would get to him, we remained hopeful that his new family was out there.

On August 18, 2025, after 242 days in shelter, Kane was adopted. His adopter sent us photos and stated, “Please know that he is happy and has a forever home.”

While Kane was one of our shelter long-timers, the average length of stay for a shelter dog has increased to 3+ months. It’s vital that our staff keep shelter animals as happy as possible while in our care. Your generosity allows us to continue providing enrichment, nutrition, comfort, and medical care to these wonderful animals as they await their new homes.