STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Andrea Nelson was smitten as soon as someone brought the scruffy terrier mix they'd found behind Gravity Fitness to Mountain Humane.

Never mind that the dog had cancer.

She agonized as the veterinarian removed the dog's teeth, then tried to address the cancer. And she rejoiced when Mountain Humane found a specialist who could eradicate the cancer.

"I can't imagine any other shelter would have tried to save that dog. They save dogs when no one else will," she said. "Pickles takes chemo pills that target cancer cells three days a week. They're experimenting with these to see how they’ll do in people and she's had no side effects.

“She's been seven months without any signs of cancer. And she's the sweetest dog ever. My husband loves that dog more than any dog we've ever had."

Nelson's experience has only cemented her support of Mountain Humane, even in the face of the financial crisis the shelter recently experienced. That's why she joined between 50 and 75 other supporters this week at a cocktail party for donors at Gail Severn Gallery

Annie McCauley, the facility's new director, told supporters that the organization had ramped up staff as they prepared for the $16 million, 30,000-square-foot facility's grand opening in February 2019.

"They were ready to take on every event and every project," she said. "Then our board president Sally Onetto looked at the numbers and said it wasn't sustainable.”

In the past couple months Mountain Humane has trimmed $1 million from its former $3.5 million budget. The organization now has 26 staff, down from a high of 46, said Kelly Mitchell, the new marketing and community relations director.

And Mountain Humane has raised $85,000 towards a $100,000 matching grant, which will be open until March 15 at  https://mountainhumane.org/donate/

The fund would be used for the general operating fund and for spay/neuter surgeries and in-house medical care.

"We can see light at the end of the tunnel," said Onetto. “And our animals are stress free. We're adopting out more and more, taking more animals off the streets. We have a wonderful team going forth."

McCauley echoed her thoughts, affirming her commitment to her board and supporters: "We want you to be satisfied with your support and we're on that path.”

McCauley has not only adopted two terrier mixes since joining the shelter team a year ago but she has filled her smart phone with dozens of pictures of cats and dogs. Her latest, which she was happy to share at the party, were of five black lab puppies that came to the shelter this past week.

McCauley, an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox, immediately named them Yankee, Fenway, Dodger, Angel and Wrigley after baseball stadiums. Then she agonized until all were adopted.

"Seeing the children go through a grab bag that volunteers had put together and pulling out toys and bones was so special,” as she recounted how someone had adopted Fenway—the last puppy—just that day. “These are special stories and those stories wouldn't happen without you."

McCauley said she has also watched as families bring their pets to Mountain Humane because they can no longer take care of them for some reason. Knowing that they are releasing them to a beautiful home until they find their new forever home makes it easier, she said.

Volunteers have stepped up in light of the financial crunch, she said. Among them, a new board member who took dogs walking on the trails on Mountain Humane’s 20,000-acre campus.

"She realized it was not a safe place to walk but that the dogs needed walking. So, she paid for a machine to groom the trails," McCauley said. "We have a lot of dogs who need walking, and we want to take care of our volunteers."

Nelson left the party resolving to do more volunteer work.

"Dogs are so special," she said. "I know there are times that neither I nor Rod would have gotten out of the house if it wasn’t for taking Pickles for a walk. I'm sorry Mountain Humane has had to go through this budget cutting. But they did the right thing, and they've been very transparent. So, I'm pretty optimistic looking forward."

FOR RENT

Mountain Humane is offering event space for political parties and others. The facility has a board room, event barn with caterer’s kitchen and outdoor patio. The barn is equipped with a large-format screen and project, audio-visual equipment and lighting options. For information, contact Kelly Mitchell at kmitchell@mountainhumane.org or 208-788-4351, extension 102.