… to the Haven Animal Care Shelter, a no-kill, nonprofit organization on the outskirts of Lubbock.
Haven Animal Care Shelter was founded by Brenda Wilbanks in 1977. The seven-acre property at 4501 N FM 1729 is home to about 100 dogs and cats in need of adoption.
“Dr. Wilbanks doesn’t have any kids,” said employee Alex Schooley. “These are her children.” She said the founder, who is a licensed therapist with her own practice, lives on the property and is very serious about her animals, checking on them every night and personally making sure they only go to good homes.
Adoption fees are $100 each, and all proceeds go back toward the animals’ care. Schooley said Dr. Wilbanks conducts a screening process before an adoption can be finalized, which includes an application and home visits.
Schooley said most of the dogs at Haven are strays, rescues or were unwanted. Because of high demand, there is a waitlist for those who want to bring in a pet. There are also rare extreme cases. The puppies pictured above were found in a cardboard box off the side of the road.
Scout is a soft, furry, little puppy with strong vocal cords and a playful spirit. Schooley said he was just recently brought into the shelter after a volunteer rescued him and two other dogs from the Hale Center Dog Pound, where they were on the kill list.
Unlike other shelters or the Humane Society, which only temporarily fosters animals, Haven keeps all animals until they are adopted and even houses several dogs who are there for life.
Cher is one of the few dogs living at Haven for life. The 15-year-old dog with a wounded foot is housed in the “Bed & Breakfast” row, where elderly and sick dogs in need of extra attention live. Schooley said these dogs are given medicine twice a day and also receive special feedings.
“Lucy’s Barn” is a private home to a special dog living at the shelter for life. Schooley said Lucy was brought to Haven after being shot by her previous owner and left for dead by a trailer. The two-legged, furry dog moves by scooting herself around.
Almost 100 animals are cared for by two employees each day as well as volunteers who usually range from about three to seven people on a daily basis. Along with her job working at the animal shelter, Schooley is a Texas Tech student in her junior year, studying sociology. She is the president of the TTU club soccer team. Pictured here is Matt, another employee of Haven, filling up water bowls at the “Bed & Breakfast.”
Schooley, who used to be a volunteer herself, said volunteer hours are from 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Those interested can show up and fill out some paperwork, including a checklist of the duties they would like to perform and a liability form.
Schooley said there are so many stories about the animals that stand out: from fostering her own puppy, nursing him from poor to perfect health and finding him a good home to saving a dog she found hit by car on the road.
“Honestly, there is something new every day,” she said.
About Nicole Crites
