Have you ever wished you could adopt a dog or cat from CARA but....you don't have room at your home for another pet...or....you travel too much to make the commitment? CARA is rolling out a new program--Adopt a Leash! We have about 25 dogs and cats at CARA who are older or have special needs. 

Under the new program, you can adopt the dog or cat’s leash but the animal still lives at the shelter. For a monthly donation of $30 (payable online or mail in),  you will help provide for your pet and you will have the opportunity to socialize with them at the shelter (at least 4 hours per month) or even take them to community events (dogs only). You will be asked to make a minimum commitment of one year and to complete foster and volunteer forms at the shelter. Interested? Please stop by the shelter to select your special one.

03/26/13 --  Danni LaComb and Shelby.  From Danni --   "I just wanted to share a little about Ms.Shelby and the adopt a leash program. I think this program is the best thing second only to adopting. If you are someone who loves dogs, big or small, but you aren't in a position to adopt, or you have a full house, ect, this program is just what you need. Not only does it being joy to you, but it can change the lives of some of these furbabies. Like for example. Before I was able to "adopt her leash, I would visit her in the shelter on days when I volunteered. She had me at "woof." I have a big soft spot for rotties. I took her out of her kennel and spent about an hour with her. I was so heartbroken, because this loving baby couldn't go home with me. I have 3 large dogs and a kitty at home, plus a total of 5 humans live in our home. Valerie told me about the adopt a leash program. A program where you can spend as much time as you want with a dog of your choice. You can pamper, spoil and love all over them. Something some of these sweet babies have never known. For Shelby, it changed her whole life. It has opened many doors that were previously closed. You see, when Shelby is in her kennel, she gets possessive. She will bark, growl, and sometimes jump at the cage. This turned many heads the wrong direction... I didn't give up on her, and neither did anyone at the shelter. I began slowly introducing her to new things outside of the shelter. It was miraculous. She was like a different dog all together. Without the adopt a leash program, no one would have known that Shelby is great with other dogs, walks great on a leash, knows "sit." And so much more. The shelter workers are always so busy. That's why the adopt a leash program is so important. Consider adopting a leash. It can be any dog. You are only required to spend 4 hours per month, and make a donation of $30.00. When you think about it, that's not a lot. It saves lives almost as much as adopting. It allows the public to see some of the babies that sometimes get over looked. And allows the babies to get much needed socialization and love. I promise, if you decide to adopt a leash, you'll never regret it. And your adopt a leash baby will be forever grateful as well"

03/14/13 -- Ashley Prewitt and Goldie.  Goldie is our special star at CARA.  As many of you know she's the mother to the sweet pups who were found in the dumpster and famously named "Goldie's Lucky Thirteen".  While all of the her sweet pups have been adopted to great homes all over the country, Goldie still waits for to find her special family.  Fortunately she has Ashley Prewitt who is her "Adopt A Leash" mom.  Ashley recently spent time with Goldie and as you can see it made Goldie very happy.  Thank you Ashley for taking the time to spend with our sweet Goldie! 

1/13/13 -- Can you find TK??? This is our beloved TK, spending time with his Adopt-A-Leash mom, Hope, during the holidays. TK is so very lucky to have Hope. Of course, she would say that it's the other way around! He spends lots of time with her, and as this photo shows, she spoils him rotten. Our Adopt-A-Leash program is one awesome idea, an idea thought of by Jack Welch, our Chairman of the Board. I still can't decide who benefits the most from this program, our babies, or the humans that love them. Please call or come by to check out the program! This is a great idea that fits nearly everyone.

10/21/12 -- Okay, so this is our third Adopt-A-Leash to come from our upcoming Pit Bull Awareness Day event! Everyone, meet Patch!!!!! Patch is an awesome boy! No words for how excited Patch was to be chosen by Brian McNair to be his Adopt-A-Leash baby! Patch is still a young boy, with so much love to give. He really needed this one-on-one commitment. As was the story with the other two, Brain took Patch on a shopping trip today to have him fitted for a harness. His new Daddy said that they chose the 'I come in peace' harness & leash! Brian, thank you, thank you, thank you for adopting Patch's leash!

10/20/12 -- Agitha wants everyone to know how excited she is!! Sarah Byrd adopted her leash this weekend!!! First thing Sarah did was take Agitha on a shopping trip!!!! Boy, did she have a blast!!! We are so thankful for Sarah and all of our Adopt-A-Leash parents!! And the doggies whose leashes have been adopted, well, if they could talk, they would shouting from the rooftops!

10/19/12 -- This handsome boy is Waylon, and today was his lucky day!!! Bizzy met Waylon today, and it was all downhill from there! She fell in love, adopted his leash, and away they went shopping for new toys, treats and harness! Waylon was so excited about his big bag full of goodies when they got back! Thank you, Bizzy for adopting this awesome boy's leash! He loved every minute of all your doting!

9/9/12 -- "Matthew and I had such a great time with Goldie today! Thanks to your Adopt-A-Leash program, we can give much needed love to one of your most special dogs! Although, we probably enjoyed being with her more than she enjoyed us!"

8/24/12 -- The Adopt-A-Leash program is a winner for our precious little Trudy!!!!! Her leash was adopted today by Phillip & Ashleigh Risher! Thank you Phillip & Ashleigh for giving Trudy that extra bit of love & attention that she was longing for. It truly means the world to her, & to us.

8/11/12 -- Thank you to the Hager family for adopting Rose Marie in our Adopt-A-Leash program. Pictured with Rose Marie is Kelton Hager. Our Adopt-A-Leash program gives our fur babies a chance to socialize with people other than their care givers at the center.

Elizabeth came to CARA to spend some quality time with her Adopt-A-Leash fur baby, Liz. You can see her tail start to wag and her eyes shine when she sees Elizabeth walking through the door.

Rebecca Dumas and Mark Bernhardt adopted Genevieve in the "Adopt A Leash" program. Rebecca came by the shelter and spent some quality time with Genevieve. She has also taken Genevieve home to play in her backyard. Thank you Rebecca.

Meet Casey Johnston and his Adopt-A-Leash pet Diana. Diana spent the night at his home and got spoiled with a bath and everything. See her cute little pink bow.  Thank you, Casey!

Valerie took her Adopt-a-Leash baby, Ne Ne, for a St. Paddy's Day outing today.  Looks like they both enjoyed themselves!

Candice adopted Bentley's leash in CARA's Adopt-a-Leash program!

Olivia came to the shelter with her family and "adopted" Baby Girl in the Adopt-A-Leash program. Thank you Olivia.

Hope "adopted" TK in the Adopt-a-Leash program today. Thank you Hope for making a difference in TK's life. 

Brenda took Melissa shopping at Hollywood Feed Saturday and Melissa picked out a lovely pink jacket. Melissa is Brenda's adopt a leash pet. Thank you Brenda.

Liz adopted Sam and Maggie.

Laura adopted Sam's leash in our new program.