Brittney Shepherd is no stranger to the heartwarming and sometimes heart-wrenching realities of animal rescue. Residing in Syracuse, Indiana, she has been a committed volunteer and advocate at New Hope Pet Rescue for over ten years, finding her way there after encouragement from friends entrenched in pet rescue work. Her dedication is palpable as she juggles multiple roles, from caring for animals to her duties as adoption counselor and fundraiser.
Shepherd's passion for helping animals stems from her deep belief in making substantial changes through fostering and community engagement. With her family comprising five children, she knows the importance of teaching them empathy alongside responsibility. It’s not just about saving lives; for her, it’s about creating a sense of hope and community around those lives.
“I wanted to be able to help in the bigger picture and get access to more resources and knowledge,” she reflected on her initial motivations. This desire has propelled her to grow within the organization, now wearing many hats, which sometimes proves to be quite the juggling act. “I have done or still do assisting with cat and dog care, transportation, adoption counseling, fundraising, events coordinating, and I’m currently assisting with applications, emails, and social media,” she added.
Despite the many paw prints on her heart, Shepherd admits she struggles with the emotional side of fostering. Like many involved in rescue, she experiences attachment issues, resulting frequently in what’s known as “foster failure,” where the caregiver ends up adopting the animals they intended to shelter temporarily. “I wouldn’t say that's a negative thing, though,” she explained. “I just have to remind myself I cannot adopt them all but instead embrace the role as part of their larger journeys to finding forever homes.”
The Shepherd household is home to eight furry family members, though not all were intended to stay. Her brood includes Kennedy the German shepherd, Charlie the doberman, Zombie, the adventurous three-legged cat, and Homer, the blind Maine Coon who has his own remarkable tale to tell. Shepherd loves each one dearly, but she realizes the necessity of letting some animals find their forever homes.
“Even though I would love to adopt them all, clearly, it is not something possible,” she admits. Each animal’s story matters to her, and she is determined to make a difference for as many as she can.
Part of her deep-seated passion for rescue work revolves around educating the community on responsible animal care. Shepherd makes it clear: spaying and neutering pets can have monumental effects, not just for the animals themselves but also for the well-being of the community. “It’s much cheaper to contact a low-cost spay and neuter for one or two cats because they can quickly multiply. Kittens can start reproducing as young as four months old,” she explained with clarity. She shared her hope of inspiring more community members to assist organizations like New Hope by being proactive about pet care.
One of her primary calls to action is for more people to step up as fosters. Many dogs arrive at the rescue, and the organization would rather place them with fostering families instead of keeping them at the facility. This arrangement allows pups to remain physically active and socialized, making them more suited for adoption. “We need fosters! We take dogs but prefer not to keep them at our facility. We love when dogs can go out to the homes,” she emphasized.
Looking to the future, Shepherd harbors dreams to promote changes related to animal rights and welfare. She has considered going back to school to obtain a degree in veterinary science. It’s not just about her personal ambitions; she envisages applying her knowledge within her volunteer work, leveraging her skills to improve the lives of more animals. “I love my job as a hairdresser at Rich Beauty Parlor; I have been doing hair for almost 20 years, but if I pursued this path, it would align with my long-term goals,” she expressed thoughtfully.
For Shepherd, the goal is not just to facilitate the rescue but also to advocate tirelessly for laws promoting animal welfare and to support rescues and shelters. Hearing her talk about possible laws affecting traps, neuters, and releases (TNR) for feral cats showcases her committed alignment with the cause. “We need more laws about animal welfare, so animals can live peacefully within communities with more prevalent support for rescues and shelters,” she concluded succinctly.
Meanwhile, the momentum continues at local shelters like Cheyenne Animal Shelter, which aims to assist pets find loving new homes. An abundance of adoptable animals is always showcased, with pet profiles such as Sunflower, Trevor, Piglet, and Sox, each showcasing unique personalities and histories, ready to create new memories with hopeful families.
The adoption process helps promote responsible pet ownership: prospective families get the chance to meet and interact with the pets, usually under the watchful eyes of shelter staff who provide ample background on each animal. The aim isn't simply to place animals but to do so with thoughtful matching based on the needs and lifestyles of both pets and humans. Like New Hope, many shelters stress the importance of fostering, emphasizing how each saved animal tells its own story and becomes part of the communal fabric.
Across communities, animal shelters are stepping up to provide second chances for thousands of animals. Awareness and education are just as pivotal as the actual rescue effort. Volunteers like Shepherd and shelters like Cheyenne play complementary roles. It’s about forging connections and creating pathways for animals, leading to brighter outcomes and forever homes.
Animal lovers everywhere can join this mission. Volunteering, fostering, and adopting are practical steps anyone can take. Whether facilitating the adoption of animals or making small but impactful changes, the community's involvement matters. Together, there’s hope for animal welfare changes matched only by the sincerity of individuals earnest about making those changes happen. Each pet is unique; every adoption story is personal, filled with hope, and offer potential for joy. It’s this spirit of community effort and kinship with animals longing for love and belonging, which defines the essence of what it means to rescue.
