Happy New Year from all of us at Sammie’s Friends. We are deeply grateful to the volunteers and donors who have remained steadfast in their support of animals—and our organization—as we navigated our new hybrid partnership with the county.

​

As winter brings an increase in shelter intakes, our team is working harder than ever with a focused, foster-first approach that prioritizes animal health and well-being. By placing pets into foster homes as quickly as possible, we reduce their length of stay in the shelter while continuing to provide daily enrichment, including walks, playgroups, and activities that stimulate their minds and senses. Our commitment also extends into the community through outreach efforts such as a free pet-food stop at our thrift store, community coffee chats to gather feedback, and monthly educational seminars on topics like separation anxiety.

 

Looking ahead to 2026, Sammie’s Friends is committed to deepening and expanding our impact—and we need our community more than ever. Whether through volunteering, fostering or financial support, partnerships make this work possible. New initiatives include a free pet-tag and national registry partnership to help reunite lost pets with their families, collaborations with local schools to engage students in animal welfare, veterinary partnerships that match our spay/neuter voucher program, and the launch of monthly low-cost vaccine and microchipping clinics.

​

Everything we do is rooted in one goal: keeping pets safe, healthy, and in loving homes—both before they enter the shelter and after.