In 1986, Director Melissa Sartin was upset after learning that her local pound killed animals after only three days. Other organizations were euthanizing 70 pets per day during the summer. Those were the only options for stray, injured and homeless animals because at this time “no-kill shelters” just did not exist.
From 1987 to 1989, while still living at her parents home, Melissa began taking in strays and local pound animals and found them homes. By 1990, she had built makeshift kennels at her parent’s home and was working two jobs to pay for pet food and veterinary costs. In 1991, she began calling the rescue the “I Care Shelter.” It was quickly changed to C.A.R.E. (Castaway Animals Rescue Effort). Finally, on February 14, 1992, the shelter was licensed and registered as a non-profit corporation. C.A.R.E. was the first no-kill shelter in this area. Now, 20 years later, C.A.R.E. has rescued over 15,000 animals!
C.A.R.E. would like to give a special thanks to all of its awesome volunteers and donors. Without you, none of this would be possible! THANK YOU!
I will leave you with some inspiration:
I looked at all the caged animals in the shelter...the cast-offs to human society.
I saw in their eyes love and hope, fear and dread, sadness and betrayal; and I was angry.
"God," I said, "this is terrible, why don't you do something?"
There was silence for a moment and then the voice whispered softly,
"I have done something, I created you!"
-Author Unknown
