01/03/2026
842 lives saved in 2025. That number matters, and so does the truth behind it.
This past year at Brownsville Haywood County Animal Shelter was hard, but we are still here, still showing up, still fighting for the animals who need us. Thanks to our efforts, 842 dogs and cats got a second chance. ❤️
One bright spot we are proud of is that we saw a 11.8 percent decrease in intake between 2024 and 2025. That is a genuine win. We hope it reflects more responsible pet ownership in our community and the impact of assistance programs like Spay Haywood. Fewer animals coming through our doors means fewer animals at risk, and that is something worth celebrating. 🎊
At the same time, we believe in being honest with our community. With every win came an even harder. This year we received multiple parvo infected litters, ongoing coccidia, and repeated upper respiratory infections. We lost puppies and kittens who arrived unvaccinated and already sick, and to make a bad situation worse, illness spread even to adult animals despite our vaccination efforts. Several incredible dogs who deserved long, happy lives were lost along the way. These losses are a harsh reminder of how IMPORTANT vaccinations and spay and neuter really are, not just for individual pets, but for the entire shelter population.
Rescue partners carried us this year. Of the lives saved, 411 dogs and 346 cats went to rescue, and we are beyond grateful for every single organization that stepped up when we needed them most.
However, there is another number we need to talk about, and it is one we absolutely have to improve. We had just 28 adoptions all year. With more than a thousand animals coming through our shelter annually, that number has to rise. Our shelter is open to the public, and we would love nothing more than to walk you through, introduce you to our animals, and help you find the right fit for your home. Sometimes the only missing piece is a visit. 🏠
As we head into 2026, we are asking our community to help us keep saving lives by supporting spay and neuter of our shelter pets. Our budget is nearly nonexistent, but spay and neuter is one of the most powerful tools we have. It improves health, reduces disease spread, increases adoption potential, and makes it easier for rescues to say yes.
Our veterinary partner charges just $85 per pet, including rabies vaccination. That single surgery can change everything. If you would like to sponsor a dog or cat, you can call Demings Veterinary Clinic at 731 300 3344 and let them know you want to put a payment toward the Brownsville Haywood County Animal Shelter spay and neuter account. Businesses, church groups, and civic organizations are especially welcome, and we would be honored to give your group a shout out for helping make this work possible.
If sponsoring a surgery is not an option right now, you can still help by supporting our daily needs. Items can be dropped off at 217 S Russell Ave in Brownsville. Our Amazon wishlist is https://tinyurl.com/BHCASWISH
and our Chewy wishlist is https://tinyurl.com/BHCASChewyWL Chewy gift cards are also incredibly helpful and allow staff to quickly purchase urgent supplies when they are needed most.
842 lives were saved this year. We mourn the ones we lost, we learn from the year behind us, and we move forward determined to do better. Thank you for standing with us, even when it is hard. ❤️🩹
