Hayden animal shelter still full after 1,448 adoptions in 2024

Companions Animal Center found homes for 1,448 animals last year, a 12% increase over 2023. 

Development director Vicky Nelson hopes they can do even better this year. They'll need to if an expected increase in homeless dogs and cats comes to fruition. 

“If you’re looking for a pet, come here first,” she said Monday. 

The no-kill shelter marked its first complete calendar year in its new, 22,000-square-foot home on Atlas Road. It took in dogs that were abandoned and abused. Puppies and kittens were left in boxes outside its doors. One pit bull was tied up to a post and left in the night. Another dog came in with a face full of porcupine quills. 

CAC took care of them.

“We saw some adopted that had been here a long time,” Nelson said. “That’s always wonderful.” 

Animal control brought 532 animals to CAC, most of them dogs. Of those, 407 were returned to their owners. 

CAC Executive Director Debbie Jeffries pointed out that’s a 76% return rate. 

“That's probably one of the highest numbers in the country because most people don’t come in and pick them up,” she said. 

The shelter continues to operate at capacity, with about 50 dogs and even more cats needing homes.  

There is a lengthy list of names of people wishing to surrender dogs, meaning it could take months.  

Nelson said during a recent 20-minute stretch, six calls came in from people looking to give up their animals. 

“There are hundreds still on that waiting list,” Nelson said. 

A new wing with room for about 30 dogs is expected to open later this month. But Jeffries worries that between rising rents and security deposits, CAC will soon be filled with even more dogs and cats as owners have to choose between a place to live or their pet.

“People today can’t afford it,” Jeffries said. 

“That's one of the big negatives we’re hearing,” Nelson said. 

CAC made progress in 2024 — up to $6.7 million — toward its $8 million goal to pay off its capital campaign that funded the new shelter. 

Two fundraisers for general operations were successful. The just-completed Lights of Love at The Silverlake Mall brought in about $30,000 and 19th annual Tails at Daylight: Fast and Furrr-ious in September raised nearly $100,000. 

“It was a good year for us,” Jeffries said. 

But additional donations, volunteers and adopters are always welcome.

“People that want to adopt, they need to come here first,” Nelson said. 

She has high hopes for Rhonda, a 106-pound Dogue de Bordeaux, also known as the Bordeaux Mastiff, who has been at CAC since late November. 

Nelson said Rhonda might seem intimidating at first glance, but once you get to know her, she's friendly and fun, if a bit slobbery.

"A big love bug," Nelson said.