News

July 2026 Commissioner meeting, Courtney presents at 1:30 on the YouTube meeting for a great 2026 TNR/M/V update!

March 2nd, 2026 Public Vet Clinic and Funding: The commissioners had allocated money for Animal Welfare Alliance for 2026, and since they are not able to continue assisting with the TNR program due to the lack of a high volume contract with Human Fort Wayne, Courtney Butler had worked with Public Vet whom has a clinic scheduled that will keep the momentum of TNR for the benefit of the County. Ms. Butler is suggesting the Commissioners put $2,000 ofthe allocated funding toward Public Vet. The funding is essentially paying one vendor rather than the other, still paying for TNR services. Kellen Dooley made a motion to approve paying $2,000 to Public Vet for the TNR clinic. William Hartman seconded, motion passed (3,0). Roll Call Vote | Dooley: aye Hartman: aye Miller: aye 

The commissioners also acknowledged the success of the Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) cat program operated by Animal Welfare Alliance. The commissioners had previously provided $2,000 to the program, which had been used effectively. Due to the program's success in sterilizing and vaccinating a significant number of cats, the commissioners approved an additional $2,500 in funding for the TNR program. During the past year, the TNR program has sterilized and vaccinated 98 cats, with 15 more planned.ALL FUNDS awarded go directly to the veterinarian performing surgeries. We do not see a penny from these funds and donate the traps, vehicles, time, and tools to schedule, coordinate, and transport. 

😍We could not be more pleased to see our Commissioners awarded us more funds to serve YOU!  Check out the first 5 minutes or so of our recent County Commissioners meeting to see the TNR details. Our Director is blushing and so flattered by the compliments and props. 

We consider the humans afflicted by unowned cats the #1 priority in TNR, but the cats in our program live better lives, too.

Love or hate cats, this is a win for humans, local conservation, and animals.

2024 AWA News

We were featured in Best Friend Magazine! Fostering is a flexible, rewarding experience that truly saves lives and helps prepare dogs for a bright future. You provide a temporary loving space, and you get a whole lot of love in return! Check out this article featuring our founders, Courtney and Jake Butler. where they talk about dispelling the myths about fostering. 

Also, please see the Puppy BNB Page to see more stories about the fostering they have done for over 200 moms and their babies.

DeKalb County's consideration of a trap-neuter-release program to manage stray and feral cats. Courtney Butler of Animal Welfare Alliance, a new non-profit in DeKalb County, requested the ordinance from the commissioners. Butler outlined that the program would involve a $45 cost for transporting, spaying/neutering, and returning a cat to the community, through an arrangement with Humane Fort Wayne. Butler also asked the commissioners to contribute $2,000 to fund the purchase of traps and the spaying of cats. According to Butler, there are an estimated 6,000 unwanted or feral cats in the community. The commissioners agreed to allocate $2,000 per clinic for the program once approved.