Gaston County Animal Shelter: Helping 3,000+ Animals Yearly

The Gaston County Animal Shelter is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a safe haven for unwanted, abused, or neglected animals. Since its inception in 1978, the shelter has been instrumental in giving over 3,000 animals a second chance at life each year.

Mission and Vision

The Gaston County Animal Shelter's mission is to promote responsible pet ownership, provide shelter and care for abandoned animals, and facilitate the adoption of homeless pets. The shelter envisions a community where all animals are treated with compassion and respect.

Services Offered

The Gaston County Animal Shelter offers a wide range of services to meet the needs of both animals and their owners. These services include:

• Animal intake and adoption: The shelter accepts unwanted, abused, or neglected animals and places them up for adoption.
• Veterinary care: The shelter provides basic veterinary care, including vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and microchipping.
• Training and behavior counseling: The shelter offers training and behavior counseling to help pet owners build strong bonds with their animals.
• Community outreach: The shelter educates the community about responsible pet ownership and promotes adoption.

Impact on the Community

The Gaston County Animal Shelter has a profound impact on the community. In addition to providing a safe haven for homeless animals, the shelter also:

• Reduces pet overpopulation: By facilitating the adoption of homeless pets, the shelter helps reduce pet overpopulation and its associated problems, such as euthanasia.
• Promotes responsible pet ownership: The shelter educates the community about responsible pet ownership, including the importance of spaying/neutering, microchipping, and providing proper care.
• Strengthens the human-animal bond: The shelter helps strengthen the human-animal bond by providing opportunities for people to interact with animals and learn about their needs.

How You Can Help

There are many ways that you can help support the Gaston County Animal Shelter. Here are a few ideas:

• Adopt a pet: Give a homeless animal a second chance at life by adopting from the shelter.
• Volunteer your time: Spend time volunteering at the shelter, helping with animal care, cleaning, or other tasks.
• Donate: Monetary donations are always welcome and help support the shelter's vital programs.
• Spread the word: Tell your friends and family about the Gaston County Animal Shelter and encourage them to support the shelter's mission.

Success Stories

The Gaston County Animal Shelter has been responsible for countless success stories over the years. Here are just a few examples:

• Buddy: Buddy was a stray dog who was brought to the shelter in 2016. He was timid and scared, but with the help of the shelter staff, he blossomed into a loving and playful companion. Buddy was adopted by a family in 2017 and has been living happily ever since.
• Bella: Bella was a kitten who was found abandoned in a dumpster in 2018. She was malnourished and sick, but the shelter staff nursed her back to health. Bella was adopted by a family in 2019 and is now a healthy and happy cat.
• Max: Max was a senior dog who was surrendered to the shelter by his owner in 2020. Max was arthritic and had difficulty walking, but the shelter staff provided him with medication and physical therapy. Max was adopted by a family in 2021 and is now living out his golden years in comfort and love.

Conclusion

The Gaston County Animal Shelter is a vital resource for the community. The shelter provides a safe haven for homeless animals, promotes responsible pet ownership, and strengthens the human-animal bond. With the support of the community, the Gaston County Animal Shelter will continue to make a difference in the lives of animals and people for years to come.

Additional Information

• Address: 320 Campground Road, Dallas, NC 28034
• Phone number: (704) 922-1269
• Website: https://gastoncountyanimalshelter.org/
• Hours of operation: Monday-Friday 11am-5pm; Saturday 11am-3pm

Tables

Table 1: Animal Intake and Adoption Statistics

Table 2: Veterinary Services Provided

Table 3: Community Outreach Programs

Table 4: Donor Support