The Beginning
In the early 1980's, Gail and Judi Nordlund began taking care of stray dogs in their homes, and at their own expense. Eventually these women took responsibility for operating the City of York Pound, where they walked and fed the dogs twice a day. Under their direction, dogs were put up for adoption, and pictures of the dogs were posted in the local newspaper. The adoption feature was so successful that Gail and Judi named the facility “York Adopt-A-Pet.”
In the 1990's, Gail and Judi determined that the existing City facility was not adequate, and they launched an effort to construct a new shelter, and partnered with the Sunrise Sertoma Club in this effort. The City declined to provide financial assistance, so an effort was organized to raise the funds. The service club had numerous fund raisers and helped make people aware of the need for the project. A booth was set up at the York County Fair where people made very generous donations for the project. After sufficient funds were obtained the new shelter was constructed to serve as the home for York Adopt-A-Pet. The Lynch family provided many volunteer hours to complete this shelter. Once constructed Gail and Judi continued to provide their time to operate the facility. Volunteers assisted with caring for the dogs and operating the program. Gail & Judi Nordlund continued their work as well as recruiting others from the community to help.
Upon completion of the new building in 1998, Adopt-A-Pet began to receive publicity about the program in the local newspaper, and occasionally the program receives television publicity. Improvements that have been added to the facility since it opened in 1998 include a concrete exercise area for the dogs and air conditioning for the building. The exercise area received partial funding from a memorial fund, and the air-conditioning unit was donated.
York Adopt-A-Pet houses an average of 180 dogs per year. A cat sanctuary was established by LaMoine Roth at a separate location in 1998. Since its inception, the cat sanctuary has housed an average of 165 cats per year. Adopt-A- Pet has also established a spay and neuter program for dogs and cats. All adult dogs and cats are spayed or neutered prior to adoption, or the adoptee must schedule the surgery prior to taking the animal home. Adopt-A-Pet recommends to those who adopt puppies and kittens that they be spayed or neutered at six months of age. York Adopt-A-Pet operates a no-kill facility. Dogs and cats are euthanized only if they have a serious illness or a history of aggressive behavior, such as biting.
In May of 2002, Adopt-A-Pet started posting dogs and cats available for adoption on two Internet web sites; Pets911.com and Petfinder.com. The Internet has enabled the program to reach more people, and the number of adoptions has increased. In June of 2005 the yorkadoptapet.com website was established
A dog park was constructed in 2003 on a lot adjacent to the Adopt-A-Pet building. The lot is being leased to York Adopt-A-Pet for $1.00 per year. Materials and labor to construct the dog park were donated by businesses and individuals in the York community. The dog park is a 8,100 square feet area that is fenced and landscaped. Initiated through memorials to Adopt-A-Pet, the dog park will be ready for use in the spring of 2004. This facility is a wonderful addition since the dogs need a place to run and expend energy, thereby preventing boredom and warding off kennel cough. The park definitely contributes to better dog health.
Growth plans for York Adopt-A-Pet include construction of a new, larger, and more functional building to house the dogs and cats. The existing building will be used as an isolation area for dogs with health problems, and to house dogs picked up by the police department’s animal control officer. One long term goal of Adopt-A-Pet is to construct a dog park, within the City of York, at a location that can be used by City residents to exercise their dogs.
Volunteers continue to be an essential part of the program. A network of volunteers help take care of the dogs and cats at the program buildings. Volunteers also do the bookkeeping, maintain the Internet web site, and provide foster homes for small dogs, senior dogs, and pregnant dogs. Volunteers also provide foster care for litters of puppies and kittens. The volunteers make the program successful!
As mentioned, funding to support this program has come primarily from community contributions, and adoption fees. Adopt-A-Pet also receives funding from the York Sheriff’s Department, the York Police Department, and from surrounding communities to house and care for strays. Initially the depository for funds raised was the York Community Foundation. In 2000 York Adopt-A-Pet was incorporated, and received its own 501 (c) 3 tax exempt status. A nine-member Board of Directors directs operation of the York Adopt-A-Pet Corporation.