![]() ![]() Her surrendering owner had Jasmine for just a few months, prior to that she was being kept by a backyard breeder who bred her at least three times in her first three years of life. She arrived at Quincy Animal Shelter on Januas an owner surrender. Meet Jasmine, one pup currently waiting for her forever home. The dogs sleep on Kurunda beds, which are plastic, so the Chill Pads give them a cozy feel that is especially helpful in the chilly winter months. With this kind of "dogged" determination, QAS is primed to continue its labor of love for years to come.As a Warm Bellies grant recipient, the Quincy Animal Shelter received a set of Chill Pads to help their dogs and cats keep warm in the concrete & steel environment of the shelter. QAS is now celebrating its sixteenth year of successfully rescuing homeless animals, and it's up to Harris and other dedicated people, to ensure sure that this success continues. "We may not have room in our home for more dogs but we certainly have the love in our hearts to help others," says Harris. Dexter and his older brother Ducky, an English Springer-Spaniel, are the love of their lives. In February 2014, Harris and her husband adopted a Golden Retriever named Dexter from QAS. Costs will always increase and we will continue to grow but that means so will our need for donations," says Harris The general care and medical needs of our animals while they are in-between homes and our overall operating costs have grown to almost $250k annually. "We rely solely on donations from our generous supporters to be able to do what we do. Harris crossed the finish line, but QAS always has a constant battle ahead. The true source of motivation behind her success story has to be the animals out there like Pongo, the shelter pet who meant so much to her. "It was the most amazing thing I have ever done," says Harris. Her husband stood waiting for her at the finish line that day. After struggling with shin splints and compartment syndrome, Harris fought through physical therapy to compete in the Marathon. Harris herself stepped up for 26.6 miles in the Boston Marathon, surpassing her original fundraising goal of $5,000 to bring in over $11,000 dollars for the organization.Ī self-described "complete klutz and least-athletic person in history," Harris helped countless animals find loving homes on that day. QAS has been able to shape so many lives because of their volunteers' willingness to step up and go the extra mile when needed. She began working tirelessly to help homeless, neglected, and abused animals on a different level with the same love, passion, and tenacity as before. In September of that same year, Harris was elected President of the Board of Directors at QAS. ![]() I joined the Board of Directors in January of 2014." "When I was ready to get back to it, I started getting involved with QAS and helping with some events. "Pongo got sick and passed away in June of 2011, but he and his story continue to inspire me every day," says Harris. Harris was fulfilling her vision through helping the animals of Quincy find their human caregivers. Shortly after this, she began leading fundraising events around the community. ![]() Harris began volunteering as a dog walker at the Quincy Animal Shelter in 2008, subsequently joining the Canine Team, Canine Training Team, and finally the Adoptions Team. "Seeing the dedication this shelter had for Pongo and the other animals inspired me to get involved in the local cause and help other animals that were not yet in their forever homes." What I learned from Pongo was a lot about myself and even more about what I had to give," Harris explains. "What I didn't know at the time was that I needed Pongo as much as he needed me. At that time, Pongo had spent most of his life in and out the shelter as his prior homes were not the right fit for him thankfully the shelter took good care of him," says Harris. "On DecemI adopted a deaf Dalmatian, Pongo, from a shelter in my hometown. We spoke to President of the Board of Directors Bre-anne Harris about what inspired her to get involved. ![]() With a budget running around $250,000 every year, the shelter has survived, and thrived, on the impassioned support of the Boston community.īehind every animal organization, there are countless tales of the empowerment gained from unconditional love. This type of care involves many volunteers, active and dedicated management - and a lot of money. With a "strict" no kill policy of any adoptable animal, the shelter strives to exercise the same ethical, humane treatment of animals in its facility that anyone would for their own feline and canine pets at home. Volunteer-run Quincy Animal Shelter is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has placed more than 7,000 cats and dogs into loving homes throughout MA and greater New England. Quincy Animal Shelter Shares its Story With Animal Lovers in New England ![]()
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