February Partner News: Let’s Raise More Money, Fix More Dogs, and Save More Lives!

From the Desk of Janet Showley, Development & Outreach Manager:

Those of us working in animal welfare all share the same goal: to protect animals and reduce suffering in our communities. Yet it’s easy—especially on hard days—to feel like each town or county exists in its own bubble. When resources are stretched thin and the needs feel endless, survival mode can take over. We focus on staying afloat, and sometimes we forget to look beyond our own walls.

But when we do, incredible things happen.

In early January, Wabash County Animal Shelter was faced with a daunting hoarding case: 29 dogs and 2 cats removed from a single property. The shelter shared the situation on Facebook—not as a plea for help, but as an educational post about the reality they were facing. A few days later, they posted again, this time with gratitude.

Humane Fort Wayne stepped in.

Knowing that Wabash was a smaller shelter with no medical staff, Humane Fort Wayne’s Executive Director and her four staff members—including a veterinarian—showed up in person. Together, they completed 29 medical assessments, administered rabies vaccinations, performed heartworm tests, and provided critical care and support. Wabash County later shared that when the team arrived, they felt an immediate sense of relief—and an overwhelming sense of camaraderie.

That’s the power of collaboration.

Animal welfare can sometimes feel competitive. Funding is limited. Capacity is tight. Emotions run high. And too often, we tear each other down instead of lifting one another up. But the truth is this: we are stronger together. Our impact is bigger when we work together. And the animals depend on us to rise above silos, pride, and competition.

Collaboration doesn’t always mean money or manpower. Sometimes it starts with communication, encouragement, or simply showing up when another organization is struggling.

Let’s keep asking not just, “How do we survive?” but also, “How can we help?” When we do, we don’t just save more lives—we build a stronger, more compassionate network for the animals who need us most.