Shelter Animals Matter, Inc.

In the fall of 2016, a male black lab mix completed his 5 day stray hold at Augusta Animal Services. Our dedicated group of volunteers went to the shelter to bathe the dogs listed to process for adoption. There were many dogs to bathe that day but there was one that captured our hearts. We were excited for Sam as he was scheduled to continue his journey for the next several days through the proces

sing phase. The adoption floor is a shelter dogs destiny after surviving the euthanization list of an overcrowded shelter. In preparation for the adoption floor, he would be neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and heartworm tested. Unfortunately, Sam tested positive for heartworms and was euthanized. The cost of vetting a HW+ dog outweighs the waived adoption fee. We returned the following day and went to Sam’s kennel to give him some love and treats but he was gone. An inquiry into his whereabouts disclosed his tragic fate and a river of tears began to flow as our hearts broke for yet another lost soul. We are a tight knit group of volunteers at AAS who put a great deal of time, sweat, tears and our own money towards the animals comfort and care. Not all HW+, medical needs and at risk dogs at the shelter are euthanized. In 2016, we began pooling our money to sponsor the treatment of HW+, medical needs and at risk dogs pulled from the shelter to custodial foster or rescue. It’s important to us they get proper treatment and go on to live happy, healthy lives once adopted. We soon realized we were on a path to poverty and decided we needed another approach to continue our passion. That’s when the concept of S.A.M. was born