Volunteer Spotlight-Haleigh

Let us tell you about Haleigh. Her passion for animal rescue began in childhood, growing up in the countryside where she often encountered abandoned pets. Her first dog, left in the middle of the road, became her best friend and sparked a lifelong dedication to saving animals in need. When she moved to the area 3.5 years ago, she sought out a no-kill shelter to pursue her dream of working in rescue, which led her to Animal Care Society. Starting as an adoption counselor, she quickly became a vital part of the team, advocating for overlooked and harder-to-adopt pets, ensuring they find the loving homes they deserve.

Motivated by her late mother’s advice to follow her passion, Haleigh continues to dedicate herself to animal welfare, knowing that every adoption is a life changed. She finds the greatest fulfillment in seeing animals placed in their forever homes and is especially inspired by ACS adoption events. Looking ahead, she envisions ACS expanding its impact by offering more affordable veterinary care and encouraging more people to open their hearts and homes—even if just to foster. For Haleigh, the mission is clear: never give up on an animal, no matter the circumstances.

Adoption Tales-Athena’s Story

Athena, a nine-year-old Terrier mix, has had a long and winding journey to find her forever home. Originally taken into a shelter in 2021, she arrived at ACS on September 8, 2022, in search of a fresh start. Just two months later, she was adopted, but after only two weeks, she was returned when she didn’t warm up to people quickly enough.

As we got to know Athena better, it became clear that her stranger reactivity was more severe than we initially thought. She struggled to connect with potential adopters, so in August 2023, we sent her to a training program in Texas to help her build confidence. But when she returned in October, she was more withdrawn than ever.

We knew Athena just needed the right people to see her. After sharing her story on Facebook, a compassionate couple was moved by her journey and came in to meet her. They visited every week for six weeks, patiently earning her trust. When they finally took her home as a foster, Athena instantly bonded with their youngest dog. After three weeks of careful adjustment and guidance from our trainer, they knew—Athena was home for good.

Athena- Black and White Dog and Adopted Family

On December 7, 2024, after over two years of waiting, Athena’s adoption was finalized. Her story is a testament to the power of patience, compassion, and second chances.

Congratulations to Athena for finding her furever home!

Volunteer Spotlight-Stella Heimann

Let us tell you about Stella. She’s the kind of person who clicks with just about everyone—cats, dogs, chipmunks, people, and even plants. Stella found her way to volunteering with us when her husband retired, and her grandkids grew up and spread their wings. That was ten years ago, and she’s been an unstoppable force of kindness ever since.

Stella’s always up for anything: leading walks, giving baths, brushing cats, shoveling snow, tackling yard work—you name it, she’s done it. What she loves most, though, is getting to know the quirky personalities of the animals. Like Sassy, the chatty cat who greeted Stella with a cheery “HI” every time she walked through the door. Those little connections make it all worth it.

Her advice to anyone thinking about volunteering? “Just show up and see how grateful these guys are for a soft voice and a hug.” For Stella, volunteering has been life-changing—not only has she met some amazing people, but she’s also come to see that God has a pretty great sense of humor.