My name is Shelly and I am the creator, designer, and developer for this site. I'm passionate about animals and this website is something I've wanted to create for a long time. I also have a day job, a husband, a son, a dog, a cat, a LOT of fish - both fresh and saltwater, and two newts. Our house is somewhat furry, but we're ok with that. It goes without saying that you shouldn't wear black to our house.

I wanted to be a vet while growing up & was offered a scholarship, but didn't take it because I knew that:

• I would try to save every single animal I saw, whether I got paid or not, so the money would be kind of bad.
• I would sob for hours if I couldn't save one, and if it was a little kid's best friend, I would be WAY worse!
• If the owners were mistreating the animal, I might hurt them. (the owners - not the animals)
• I would rescue every animal that needed help and bring it home with me, so my back yard would look like a zoo and my neighbors would hate me.
• I'd spend every penny I made buying food, treats and toys for my flock, so I'd definately be a very poor vet.

For all of these reasons, I got a degree in web development instead, and it's my education that's made it possible to create this website. I also have pet-loving friends and family members who help out whenever and however they can, including writing, editing, offering suggestions, proof-reading, and moderating the forums. Thanks, you guys!

We would LOVE it if people would take advantage of the shelter directories we have to find new pets to adopt, and we are doing our very best to include every single reputable rescue or shelter there is in this country so you'll have as many choices as possible in your search for a new friend. If even ONE animal is rescued because of the countless hours spent putting the directories together, it will have been well worth the effort.

We want to open people's eyes to the fact that animals bring great joy to our lives and bringing one (or two, or more) into your life will help you much more than you might realize. If you don't have a furry, feathered, scaled, or other friend, you really don't know what you're missing and we strongly urge you to consider it. Your perfect pet is out there somewhere just waiting for you to come find it.

Being an avid animal-lover, I am not exactly P.C. or quiet when it comes to how I feel about their rights and those who mistreat them. I'm sure that my blog postings will, at times, seem a bit extreme, but I write what is in my heart and I don't know any other way to do it. For those who get offended, well - I guess "you feel what you gotta feel". Feel free to send me an e-mail and yell at me, but I am also a very stubborn person, so you won't change my mind. On a side note, I worked at a welfare office for 11½ years dealing with level-three sex offenders, rapists and murderers just released from prison, so it's pretty hard to rattle or offend me.

Our sincere hope is that you will visit this site regularly, add your pets to our gallery (it's free), take advantage of our resources, and start using our forums. We have TONS of ideas for new additions to the site, and welcome your suggestions as well. Please note that due to financial and time constraints, we can't get everything done as quickly as we'd like to.

This website will never be finished. We will be continually adding to it, updating things, and working to improve it. Let us know if you have ideas for things we should add, including new directories, information, articles, or other content you think would be beneficial to see here.