Editor:

Our volunteers are dedicated to improving the welfare of homeless pets in the community, and serve in a variety of ways. Some open their homes and 'foster' pets, providing love and care, while others assist at our adoption site at Tractor Supply Co. on Bobby Jones Expressway. Other volunteers transport animals from various shelters, to vet appointments and to adoptions.CSRA Happy Tails Rescue, a licensed non-profit organization, will celebrate its seventh anniversary in December. Dedicated volunteers work tirelessly throughout the area to assist dogs, cats, kittens and puppies needing permanent homes.

We have a wonderful group of youth volunteers who also help with a variety of tasks. These dedicated young people are learning important life lessons as they interact with our rescues.

While we are "officially" named CSRA Happy Tails Rescue, we rescue from all over Georgia and South Carolina, and beyond. We have an incredible network of contacts around the country through which specific breeds of dogs and cats are placed, as well as special needs animals, such as senior dogs.

We are very proud to share that from Jan. 1 through July 31, of the 279 animals transferred to rescue groups by Columbia County Animal Care and Control, Happy Tails Rescue has taken in 273 (98 percent)!

We also take pride in assisting families who need to 're-home' beloved pets. We accept 'easy-to-place' pets, such as a young Scottish Terrier whose owner has cancer, and also more challenging placements, such as a dog who needed to have an eye removed due to an injury.

We are growing as a group, adding many new volunteers every month. There is always room and a need for more energetic and dedicated animal lovers!

Looking forward, we are actively looking for 20-30 acres of land in the area to build a state-of-the-art no kill shelter, a dog park, a walking trail, a boarding kennel (with discounted rates for adopted "guests") and a picnic area. Special accommodations will be built to assist military personnel with their pets as well.

This facility would employ special needs adults to assist in the kennel areas. It could also serve as a job training center for high school students with special needs.

In order to accomplish our goals, we will need the continued support of the community. We envision that the plan outlined will not only serve as a model for the region, but perhaps for the nation.

Please feel free to view our Web site, csrahappytails.com, for additional information.

We would be grateful for any and all support!