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HOPE is a unique, life saving program that began in March 2005. To date, over 300 dogs have been saved through this collaborative program that partners animal shelters, rescues, correctional institutions, and entire communities. HOPE currently works in conjunction with the PA State Correctional Institution at Camp Hill. This program pairs carefully screened inmates with shelter dogs who have been evaluated for their sociability for a period of eight to ten weeks. The inmates work together with a professional trainer, prison staff, and the HOPE team to provide the dogs with basic obedience training, socialization, and behavior modification. The dogs involved in the program graduate with a wealth of valuable skills that help give them a paw up on finding a home. By the time the HOPE dogs are paroled, the dogs have become more confident, better behaved, and they are looking forward to starting a new life on the outside.

The Piedmont Environmental Council works to safeguard the landscape, communities and heritage of Virginia's Piedmont by involving citizens in related public policy and land conservation. PEC's service area encompasses nine counties of the Piedmont. Our work integrates four mutually interdependent goals and programs:   *Better Define the Piedmont- PEC is creating a sense of place in our communities through engaging activities and the identification and support of our unique assets and history.  * Protect What Can Be Protected: Land Conservation & Watershed Protection - We are protecting threatened land and natural and cultural resources as efficiently as possible through an aggressive and multi-tiered land conservation program.  *Respond to the Forces of Change: Land Use and Transportation- We consistently promote good planning to reduce threats to our region, address issues of local importance, and surmount individual pressures on our historic landscape.  *Direct Growth to the Right Places - We are helping visualize a better future by presenting positive solutions to the problems caused by poorly planned development. These concrete principles recognize that growth is inevitable, but that we can effectively manage the population and economic growth coming to this region and create healthy communities to live, work and play.  PEC also provides direct assistance to those working on parallel missions in neighboring counties. PEC is a founding member and fiscal sponsor for the Coalition for Smarter Growth, an organization extending a parallel mission in Washington DC. PEC also serves as fiscal sponsor for the Shenandoah Valley Network. Additionally, PEC coordinates with many partners across the Commonwealth to address regional issues that affect the Piedmont directly.

Wolfwood is dedicated to protecting the welfare of wolves and wolfdogs, and promoting an understanding of these animals in the hope of dispelling fear and opening the way for a healthy relationship between humans and wolves. We address these goals on a multitude of levels: Wolfwood provides a safe refuge for unwanted and homeless wolfdogs. All animals are contained in large enclosed areas. No animal is ever chained. All efforts are made to provide the best physical, mental, social and psychological environment for each animal. Each wolfdog is considered and treated as an individual with unique needs and qualities. Wolfwood provides extensive information and education on wolf and wolfdog behavior and issues surrounding them. Seminars and educational programs are presented to schools, state parks, the general public, other animal care facilities and various institutions. We also provide information and instruction to current or potential owners of these animals and the human behavior required when dealing with them. Wolfwood's mission is to dispel myth and misinformation, judgment and prejudice, cruelty and inhumane treatment.

Donkeys have helped build our country, from coal mining to ploughing our land. Now these amazing creatures are ending up in the kill pens of Texas for slaughter. They are being used for human consumption and their skins are highly sought after for Chinese Medicine. Believe it or not, donkeys could be extinct in 10 years if we don’t act. Our mission at HB Ranch Donkey Rescue is to save as many of these intelligent, social, affectionate and beautiful creatures from destruction and to ensure that when they arrive, they have a loving, welcoming and peaceful environment to call home. We constantly work to outbid Kill Buyers at kill pens in the Unites States where unwanted donkeys and horses are dropped off. We want their stories of suffering, abandonment, neglect and abuse to end on their day of rescue. We will be their voices and we will show them the love and appreciation they deserve for the thousands of years of hard work and dedication they have shown our country.

LBFS is a nonprofit vegan sanctuary in Virginia. At LBFS, we give animals a safe & loving forever home. We rescue primarily farm animals from horses to goats to donkeys to cows who would otherwise have a terrible fate or who have special needs. We give them the life all animals so deserve. Through our social channels & in-person farm tours, we show people that farm animals have fun, loving, & sweet personalities just like our domesticated pets. Farm animals have strong family bonds & friendships with each other as well as the humans in their lives. The animals at LBFS show those that have the pleasure of meeting them virtually and in person that there is no difference between domestic & farm animals. We strive everyday to inspire people to love all animals & live more compassionately.

The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation grants comfort and hope to those affected by epilepsy through providing monitoring resources, vital information, and a safe haven for conversation and community. Our main goal is to raise awareness of SUDEP and to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals and families living with epilepsy. We raise funds to provide education about SUDEP and to provide seizure response dog grants and movement monitors that help to protect against SUDEP. We stay up-to-date on current trends in medical technology in order to be able to provide the most effective devices as they become available. We provide financial assistance for what we believe to be life-saving movement monitors, grants for seizure-response service dogs and Chelsea's Wish Trips to Epilepsy Expos across the US each year. We respect the value and quality of life of every person living with epilepsy. We are dedicated to providing opportunities that allow individuals and families greater independence, increased confidence, ability to enjoy social environments, and community understanding.

The Aquarium of the Pacific’s mission is to instill a sense of wonder, respect, and stewardship for the Pacific Ocean, its inhabitants, and ecosystems. Our vision is to create an aquarium dedicated to conserving and building Natural Capital (Nature and Nature’s services) by building Social Capital (the interactions between and among peoples). The Aquarium of the Pacific is the fourth most-attended aquarium in the nation. It displays over 11,000 animals in more than 50 exhibits that represent the diversity of the Pacific Ocean. Each year more than 1.5 million people visit the Aquarium. Beyond its world-class animal exhibits, the Aquarium offers educational programs for people of all ages from hands-on activities to lectures by leading scientists. Through these programs and a variety of multimedia experiences, the Aquarium provides opportunities to delve deeper into ocean science and learn more about our planet. The Aquarium of the Pacific has redefined the modern aquarium. It is a community gathering place where diverse cultures and the arts are celebrated and a place where important topics facing our planet and our ocean are explored by scientists, policy-makers and stakeholders in the search for sustainable solutions.

Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary, Inc., about to celebrate its 20th anniversary, saves the lives of and provides a safe, healthy and loving forever home to cats who would be declared un-adoptable and immediately euthanized in high-kill animal control facilities because they are blind or test positive for FIV or feline leukemia. Without this sanctuary, they would have been euthanized. We continue to pursue our mission of educating the public about these cats and their ability to be loving family pets through our strong and ever-growing social media presence, 24-hour access cameras, regularly scheduled open houses, tours and volunteer opportunities. Using these tools, BCR’s global following continues to grow and its reach expand, demonstrating for people and other organizations about the true nature and abilities of blind, FIV- and feline leukemia-positive cats. Going beyond the shelter walls, BCR also works to alleviate the suffering and overpopulation of cats in feral populations through our ongoing spay and neuter program.

The Humane Society of The Treasure Coast (HSTC) is an open shelter, which means that no companion animal will be turned away regardless of the condition in which the animal is received. Animals come to the shelter directly from residents of the community and from Martin County Animal Services. Some of these animals – those that are feral, dangerous, sick with contagious diseases or too ill or injured for us to treat – cannot be placed in homes for adoption. There are times that the only humane option is to euthanize the animal. Currently, Martin County laws do not allow us to trap, neuter or spay feral animals for release back into the wild. We are working to change that. Thus, there are many challenges we face as we work to carry out our mission. In order to address the many challenges of shelter medicine in a shelter that may have up to 300 animals living in it on any given day, we invited the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine – the state’s foremost expert in shelter animal care – to review our entire operation. We also advised the University of Florida team of concerns brought forth by the very vocal critics of HSTC. After an extensive evaluation of our operations and administration, the UF experts recognized HSTC for its clear commitment and concern for animals, and for the outstanding caring and life-saving accomplishments of HSTC. The experts found our staff to be intelligent, professional, and transparent as to the needs of the Shelter, and they commended us for the quality of care we provide to the population of Martin County. Three other independent investigations of the Shelter operations also resulted in findings that HSTC provides compassionate care to abandoned and homeless animals. We still have work to do. We will continue tirelessly working to improve the lives of animals. We are grateful to our employees, volunteers and supporters, all of whom are involved with us because of a shared commitment to animal welfare in our community.

Rocket Dog Rescue is a volunteer based organization serving the greater Bay Area, dedicated to saving homeless and abandoned dogs from over crowded animal shelters. We also help dogs from other areas that have compelling situations where they are in danger of abuse, neglect or euthanasia. Rocket Dog Rescue places dogs into temporary foster homes where they are socialized, spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and treated for any medical or behavioral conditions limiting their adoptability. RDR actively searches for permanent homes for its foster dogs by producing and distributing photo-biographic posters, by hosting an actively updated website and by organizing mobile adoption fairs and special events that provide exposure to potential adopters. Rocket Dog Rescue also provides assistance to individuals and animal rescue groups fostering dogs in need of permanent new homes. Founded in 2001, Rocket Dog Rescue’s ultimate goal is to create a world where all companion animals have loving and permanent homes and where no good natured dogs, no matter what their age, are killed in shelters because they are considered to be surplus or un-adoptable.

PAWS Shelter of Central Texas (PAWS) was founded in Kyle, Texas in 1986 as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization providing care and love to homeless, abandoned, and abused animals in Central Texas. We are a no-kill shelter that believes in second chances! At PAWS, companion animals are given medical attention, care, and love for however long it takes for us to find them a loving home. PAWS is relentless in our effort to save lives and change lives. Our efforts in that regard include: - Holding offsite adoptions to get the animals out into the community. - Fully vaccinating and microchipping our animals so that they can begin their long, happy lives with their new owners, “fully equipped!”. - Visiting local community groups and schools to educate our community on responsible pet ownership. - Making sure that every animal in our care gets the medical attention it needs. - Implementing a Behavior Testing Program which temperament tests all those in our care before they are adopted into the community, allowing for better placement of pets into a new home environment that is best for all. - Spaying or neutering all our animals to further our commitment to be part of the solution in our communities’ pet overpopulation problem. PAWS is more than a “shelter!” While the challenges are great, with the help of your donations and grants, we make a difference in how our four legged friends are treated and, ultimately, make the world a more humane place for all. PAWS embraces the animals we care for today and plans for those we will care for in the future. We are grateful to all those who help and are part of the solution as we move forward with our mission. We envision a time when our Central Texas Community celebrates the human-animal bond, pet overpopulation is solved, permanent homes for all adoptable animals are ensured, and all animal suffering ends. Please visit us and adopt, foster, donate or volunteer if you can!

Arkansas Paws in Prison is committed to rehabilitating inmates and giving rescue dogs a second chance at life by preparing them to be loving, obedient, adoptable pets. The Paws in Prison program pairs inmate trainers with rescue dogs for eight to ten weeks of obedience training and socialization in preparation for adoption. Prior to graduating from the program, each dog must pass the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen Ready test. Because the dogs are properly socialized and trained, their chances of adoption improve drastically, and the risk of being returned to a shelter for unruly behavior decreases significantly. Many of our program’s “graduates” have gone on to become therapy animals and service dogs, including the first water leak detection dog in North America. Paws in Prison collaborates with animal shelters and rescues throughout the state to advance its goal to reduce the number of dogs languishing in shelters and reduce the number of dogs euthanized each year in Arkansas. Since the program began in 2011, more than 2,400 dogs have been rescued, trained, and adopted by loving forever families. Additionally, Arkansas Paws in Prison strives to decrease recidivism rates by providing incarcerated individuals with the opportunity to give back to the community and acquire skills that support successful rehabilitation and re-entry into society. Over the years, Paws in Prison has continued to expand its capacity to fulfill the need for vocational training and rehabilitation programs for offenders. Male and female inmates at seven prison facilities throughout the state now have the opportunity to learn the vocational skill of dog training. Inmate trainers attend weekly professional training classes and maintain a daily journal of their dog’s progress, which improves their literacy and communication skills. In addition to employment skills, participants also gain interpersonal skills. The program teaches them responsibility, compassion, and to care for others. Many of the trainers are hired for animal-related jobs after parole. A number of released participants have dedicated their lives to saving animals and work for Paws in Prison’s partner rescues and shelters, and several have established successful careers as service dog trainers. One former inmate trainer now works in the prisons as a professional dog training instructor, teaching inmates in the program and serving as an example of what can be accomplished with hard work and dedication after incarceration. Arkansas Paws in Prison Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The program is supported by donations and the sale of recyclables. You can make a tax-deductible donation online or by mailing your donation to Arkansas Paws in Prison Foundation at 1302 Pike Avenue – North Little Rock, AR 72114.