The Facility
    Animal Selection Program
    The Health Care Program
    Free Roaming Kitty City
    Dog Walking Program
    Foster Care
    The Media Program
    The Companion Animal Adoption Program
    Referral Program
    The NEW Horse Adoption Program
    The Volunteer Program
    The Education Program

The Facility
The AAC's unique, home-like and inviting downtown facility is instrumental to success. Many people would be willing to adopt from a shelter but are unwilling to visit one because they are "too big" "too noisy" "dirty"; "out of the way"; "overwhelming" "depressing"; or not enough is known about the animals. Although in recent years shelters have begun to work to change their images, much is still to be done. The AAC was created to have an atmosphere distinctly unlike a shelter. A downtown storefront with a relaxed feel, where the public is welcome to meet and interact with rescued animals, the Center houses 10-14 dogs and 12-15 cats at a time. This comparatively small number of animals who are clean, rested, and quiet makes for a less chaotic atmosphere, reducing stress and allowing for better interactions between animals and their prospective adopters. It also allows for staff and volunteers to become familiar with the different temperaments and characteristics of the individual animals, crucial in matching animals to new families, and making adoption a less-risk option.

Animal Selection Program
Animals are selected to participate in the AAC'S program based on what qualified adopters are looking for (there is a "Want to Adopt" file at the facility), an animal's character, and the availability and type of animals already at the Center. The Center tries to maintain a diverse group of adoptable animals, with varying sizes, ages, activity levels, and breeds, at any one time. The Center actively seeks to minimize the suffering of animals as much as possible, and so if a particular animal is malnourished, crippled, injured, or otherwise in pain at a shelter, a concerted effort will be made to take this animal into the program. The AAC's animals are from regional shelters and animal welfare organizations.

The Health Care Program
Healthy animals are happier, less stressed, and more adoptable. Collaborating with local veterinarians who provide their services at a discounted rate, the AAC fully vaccinates and alters (or takes a spay/neuter deposit if an animal is not yet of age; juvenile spay/neuter is not yet available in town) all animals in its program, and does its best to adopt out only healthy animals. Many of the AAC's animals have likely never before been medically treated; some have had minimal care but require more. In certain cases involving pain and suffering, medical care beyond the basics is necessary. Any animal at the AAC who shows signs of illness is seen by a vet as soon as possible.

Free Roaming Kitty City
Cats are housed in free roaming "Kitty City", with toys, high places to climb, scratching posts, places to hide, and cozy baskets and napping places. Since moving to our new place in April 2007, the cats also now have a cattery - a safe, fully enclosed outdoor space where they can soak up the sun, enjoy the fresh air, and watch the birds and butterflies that visit the garden next to the cattery. The stimulation provided by all these things, as well as attention paid to them by staff and ongoing visitors to the room, decreases stress and allows staff to learn their personalities, which helps to match them with just the right adopter. Their overall contentedness and accessibility to visitors increases their adoptability.

Dog Walking Program
Volunteers exercise our dogs every day. The dogs wear bright orange "adopt me" vests, and are taken for walks both in town and on busy local trails. This not only exercises and socializes the dogs, but gives them the individual attention and social interaction they crave. The increased exposure greatly assists in finding them homes, and with the opportunity for the community to become involved comes the added publicity through word of mouth.

Foster Care
Every night and during weekends, volunteer foster parents care for the dogs when the Center is closed. The AAC provides an overnight bag for each dog with everything needed for their "sleepovers". It is in foster homes that the dogs are fed and can sleep undisturbed. The animals benefit not only from the change in scene from daytimes in the Center, but from the attention, affection, socializing, basic skills, and additional exposure to the public they will gain while in homes of foster families. Foster parents play an indispensable role in relaying information about an animal's personality, which helps to ensure compatibility with potential adopters. Foster care also allows for direct involvement of the community, who help then spread the word of animals in need.

The Media Program
Visibility is necessary for these animals to find homes. The AAC utilizes a variety of media forums to expose the public to adoptable animals, inform them of the Center's mission, and invite them to become involved. The AAC has its own website and lists available animals on a national homeless animal database (petfinder.com) as well. The AAC also advertises in local newspapers, on local radio and television, and in area movie theaters.

The Companion Animal Adoption Program
Through both knowledge of individual animals' character, and providing a clean bill of health for all animals, the AAC offers a viable adoption option. In attempting to further remove some of the 'unknown' out of adopting, a big issue for some would be adopters, the AAC also offers a 2 week trial foster period. Anyone interested in an animal is required to foster prior to adoption, and is welcome to do so for up to 2 weeks, to see how the animal settles into their life and family. This has proved very effective in helping prospective adopters decide is this animal is the one for them - or if they even want an animal at all. Thanks to this time span, a family has time to consider and decide if they are willing to make what is a lifetime commitment. Upon deciding to adopt, individuals or families must apply and have an adoption application reviewed, an interview, be willing to undergo a home visit, and pay an adoption fee. Not all applicants qualify to adopt. If for any reason and at any time an adopter cannot keep their animal, this animal is welcomed back at the Center.

Referral Program
The AAC can also assist qualified prospective adopters in their search for a specific breed or type of animal through networking with other rescue groups and animal welfare organizations. This provides another opportunity for the public to adopt, rather than purchase a pet. The AAC can assist and advise people inquiring about how to re-home their own animals.

The NEW Horse Adoption Program
Horses that are unwanted, abused, neglected, or simply retired from working ranches have few places to go in Wyoming. Their future usually entails being sent to auction, then to slaughter - a route filled with stress, suffering, fear, and ultimately death. Although the AAC has yet no horse facility, through collaboration with local horse lovers, in January 2006 it was able to launch its first horse rescue. Three retired ranch horses, who were likely to be sent to slaughter simply because their working days were over, were welcomed and found loving homes. With the inception of the Horse Adoption Program, horses in the area now have an alternative. All prospective horse adopters must fulfill strict requirements, apply and qualify, undergo a home visit, and pay an adoption fee. Horses have a trial foster period of 30 days.

The Volunteer Program
In addition to caring for cats, dog walking, and foster opportunities, volunteers over 18 can help in a variety of ways, including helping out in the office and around the Center. The newest way for adults to get involved is to join the AAC fund-raising committee. We recognize that many of the people in this community who care greatly about this organization have creative ideas and resources that can help the AAC continue to achieve its goals. The group will meet once a week to brainstorm fund-raising ideas, plan projects, and assign responsibilities. The Kids Volunteer Program, beginning May 2006, coordinates youth ages 12-17 interested in animals, the Center, and its mission. Meeting twice weekly, kids can sign up for a variety of activities, and learn about animal rescue and the responsiblities of pet ownership while helping the Center with projects.

The Education Program
Last but not least, the AAC is here to educate people on how to stop the killing of adoptable pets. Animals can be rescued and adopted at an astounding rate, but rates of euthanasia will only decrease when the general public is aware of the situation and what they can do to help.

Located in the downtown pedestrian commercial district of one of the most popular destinations in the United States - Jackson Hole, Wyoming - the Center is extremely visible and receives countless visitors a day. A friendly staff member greets everyone who passes through the doors and gives an informational tour about the plight of homeless animals. Through creating awareness in tourists and locals alike, the AAC has begun to shatter the many negative stereotypes about abandoned animals, encourage and help people choose to adopt rather than buy, and also educate as to the many responsibilities (and rewards) of pet ownership - stressing the importance of spaying and neutering ones pets! A visitor's learning experience at the Center in turn helps create awareness as to the importance of our mission.