We are Stronger Together

Last October, Nancy and I gathered with 75 animal shelter and rescue staff, volunteers, and advocates at a community center in Radcliff, Kentucky for the first Stronger Together Retreat .

We listened as one person after another expressed how exhausted and overwhelmed they were – I believe the phrase ‘drowning’ was used more than once.

But what they also said was they were glad to be there, grateful for the opportunity to be in the same room with so many kindred spirits, people who understood—other people who gave up not just a beautiful Saturday to talk about solutions but also nearly every other day of the week to help animals too many have abandoned.

They are passionate and determined but weary, and the Stronger Together event was a day to recognize that they are also so much stronger together – hence the name. We agreed at the outset that we wouldn’t spend the day lamenting the problem, but instead put our time/energy/efforts toward the solutions.

Each person stood and introduced themselves, shared what part they play in animal shelter and rescue, and why they were there. The stories were familiar—they were overwhelmed, they had too many animals, they needed more help. They were there because they wanted more ideas, they wanted to connect, and they wanted to not feel so alone.

And they weren’t. The room was full of people who understood. By the end of the day, new connections were made, partnerships were formed, and people went home with concrete ideas to try or a new friend they could reach out to when it became too much.

Organized by a whirlwind of a woman, Radcliff city councilwoman Toshie Singleton Murrell, it was a day to celebrate and support everyone who were all working with the same goal – to save animals. Too often, when animal shelter/rescue people get together, the talk turns to one impossible situation after another, but today was not a day to complain or swap sad stories; it was a day to focus on what is possible if they all work together.

The Kentucky Secretary of State spoke in the morning, thanking everyone for their work and for how far they have brought Kentucky. He expressed gratitude and acknowledged how hard things are right now. He, along with a magistrate and mayor talked about how animal shelter advocates can reach out directly to them and encouraged them to speak up, to write letters, make phone calls and let their elected officials know their concerns.

Judge Executive Troy Kok from Meade County shared the amazing story of his county’s shelter and how it was the citizens who spoke out who convinced him to focus on the shelter from day one when he was elected. He’s worked with new staff, a newly created advisory council, nonprofit partners, and volunteers have changed the shelter’s story. You can read about that story here.

It was exciting to see the connections being made as people shared ideas and resources and laughs. These are the people who are on the front line of this crisis. I believe they are the ones who have the answers, and I said as much when I had the opportunity. Solving the shelter crisis in Kentucky has to be done by the people of Kentucky, led by these advocates. They will need to engage their communities and work together.

After a yummy lunch donated by local businesses, and performances by two comedians (everyone needed a break!), we gathered around tables to talk about fundraising, volunteers, veterinary access, community engagement, enrichment, training, fosters, and more.

There were many great ideas and programs and apps and resources shared. In the coming weeks, we’ll gather them into a document and share it with everyone who was there or wanted to be there.

As Toshie said, this was about sharing everything, not competing for resources. It was about lifting each other up and working together. Too often, the personalities and passions of animal rescue and shelter organizations lead to conflicts and competition. The challenge is too great now to let personal agendas or misunderstandings get in the way of saving lives. Too much is at stake.

As one speaker said—it’s as if we’ve turned back the clock a decade when it comes to the current situation in shelters. We all have the same goal and we need to work together not against each other. That theme was echoed all day long.

Mychell Lawson from Kentucky Animal Action spoke about the laws that are in the works and how everyone can be part of the process, especially showing up for Kentucky Animal Action Day in the spring. She pointed out that people who oppose new laws and funding for animals rejoice when organizations like the ones there that day disagree and bicker because they understand that if we worked together, we would be a powerful force.

To visibly demonstrate the difference the day made, Toshie had t-shirts made for everyone who attended. The morning picture showed many of us wearing the shirts of the organizations we represented, but the picture taken later in the day was all of us wearing the same shirt with the words, Stronger Together. Because we are.

That day was a first, and it was exciting to be a part of it. It was a grassroots gathering of people working on the front lines of the animal crisis in Kentucky. It was a free event with the purpose of connecting people and providing a place to share their ideas, ask their questions, and offer support to one another.

It was a chance to spend just a few hours being recognized and understood—to know that they are not alone in this fight.

Our hope is that other states can replicate this event, and we’d love to be a part of it. Because we truly are Stronger Together.

We will be out on a shelter tour starting February 24 (13 shelters/rescues in 12 days), and as part of that tour, we’ll be making connections in south Georgia in the hopes of hosting a Stronger Together event there later this spring. If you’re in south Georgia and want to be a part of that, please reach out to me (cara@wwldo.org).

We have another in the works for Shenandoah County VA and tentative plans to explore hosting one in Arkansas this fall. But you don’t need to wait for us – you can host a Stronger Together in your area. We’re happy to be a resource, or simply a cheerleader. Solving any community’s animal shelter crisis will ultimately happen in that community.

Until each one has a home,

Cara

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Who Will Let the Dogs Out: Stories and Solutions for Shelters and Rescues was published in January of 2025. It is filled with stories and ideas to help everyone be part of the solution. You can buy a hardback or paperback copy for yourself and/or buy a copy for a shelter or rescue through our website. It is also available on Amazon in paperback and ebook.

To see our Emmy-nominated, award-winning short documentary, Amber’s Halfway Home, click here.

For more information on any of our projects, to talk about rescue in your neck of the woods, or partner with us, please email cara@WWLDO.org.

And for links to everything WWLDO, including volunteer application, wishlists, and donation options, check out our Linktree.