06/15/2026
Chillicothe Shelter Status Update for far:
16 Dogs Out of the Shelter Since April 29 ❤️
On April 29, I stopped at the Chillicothe Animal Shelter while driving from Kansas City to Indiana. I was looking to build relationships with shelters and rescues that might be willing to help southern shelter pets.
What I found instead was a shelter full of dogs that had been waiting.
Some had been there for a year.
Some had been there for two - thee years.
And one senior dog named Gizmo had been there for over seven years.
Shelter Guardian Lesley gave me a tour of the shelter and allowed me to film the dogs. I promised her I would share their story everywhere I went.
Since that day, an incredible group of people has stepped up to help.
What Happened Next
📍 May 10 – I returned on Mother's Day with my 7-year-old son and filmed more dogs.
📍 May 23 – Nicole Hestand Rhoney from New Beginnings Rescue joined me, along with Tracey, Missouri Representative for Best Friends Animal Society. We spent the day getting dogs out of their kennels and filming temperament videos so rescues and adopters could see who these dogs really were.
That was the day we discovered Gizmo's intake date: May 1, 2019.
A dog who had spent more than seven years waiting.
After sharing his story, someone tagged Scott Poore.
📍 Early June – Maria Torres from Helping Forgotten Paws saw Gizmo's story and reached out wanting to help. She drove from Leavenworth to Chillicothe, filmed several long-stay dogs, and created an emotional video about Gizmo that she shared across her social media platforms.
The response was immediate. :) :)
Calls started coming in from across the country.
One of those calls came from the family who would ultimately adopt Gizmo.
📍 June 7 – I met Gizmo's adopters at the shelter and had the privilege of documenting one of the happiest moments I've ever witnessed: a dog walking out of a shelter after over seven years and heading home with his family. I sent the photos and videos to Maria and she did a phenomenal freedom ride video and picked the perfect song for him. I can't stop watching it!
📍 June 13 – The team grew even larger. Nicole returned, along with Melissa Peck, whose photography skills are helping showcase these dogs at their best, and Jessica Amber, whose dog training background helps us better evaluate and advocate for the dogs. Ryan came with Jessica and joined the effort as well, giving us extra hands to work with more dogs.
That same day, another long-stay dog got his chance.
Tracker, a German Shorthaired Pointer who had spent nine months at the shelter, began what we called his "Road Trip for Good." Melissa not only donated her time photographing dogs that day, but also drove one leg of Tracker's transport journey in the pouring rain. She met up with Rachelle Worrall, who completed the second leg and delivered Tracker safely to his foster home. Melinda Hartel generously stepped up and offered to cover the gas expenses to help make the transport possible.
It's a perfect example of how rescue works. One person takes pictures. Another shares a post. Someone volunteers to drive. Someone else helps cover expenses. Piece by piece, a community comes together to change a dog's future.
The Results So Far:
✅ 16 dogs out of the shelter
✅ 3 adopted
✅ 7 placed into foster homes
✅ 6 transferred to other shelters and rescues in MO
Most importantly:
Gizmo, Trisha and Brooke are HOME.
Thank You!!!
This effort would not have happened without the people who stepped up:
❤️ Lesley and the staff at Chillicothe Animal Shelter for caring for these dogs and opening the doors for us to help.
❤️ Nicole with New Beginnings Rescue for making multiple trips and being willing to jump in wherever needed.
❤️ Tracey, Missouri Representative for Best Friends Animal Society, for helping bring additional resources and attention to the shelter's needs.
❤️ Scott Poore for using his platform to shine a spotlight on Gizmo and the shelter.
❤️ Maria Torres for her incredible video editing and social media storytelling that helped Gizmo's story reach thousands of people.
❤️ Melissa Peck for donating her photography talent to help these dogs be seen.
❤️ Jessica Potts for sharing her training knowledge and helping us better showcase the dogs.
❤️ Ryan for lending an extra set of hands during our shelter visits.
And thank you to everyone who has shared a post, tagged a rescue, made a phone call, donated, fostered, adopted, or simply cared.
This is proof of something I've believed for a long time:
***People want to help. They just have to know the need.***
The work isn't finished. There are still long-stay dogs waiting at Chillicothe.
But 16 dogs are no longer waiting.
And that's a pretty good start.
There are more to go! If anyone else wants to help you are welcome!! Please reach out
🐾❤️
