The unified organization will have resources to better serve animals and people in the community
Two of Northern Colorado’s largest animal welfare organizations are merging. Beginning in 2020, Animal House Rescue & Grooming and Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic will unite and operate as a single organization to serve the people and pets of Northern Colorado and beyond.
Animal House Rescue & Grooming and Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic have collaborated on numerous projects, fundraisers, and adoption events for more than decade. The two organizations frequently work together and have determined that the time is right to become one entity. “We have the same values, and we have the same philosophies,” said Sarah Swanty, co-founder and executive director of Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic. “We’ve been incredible partners over the years, and that’s another reason why this merger just makes so much sense.”
Following the merger, Swanty will be the executive director of the new organization. Ali Eccleston, co-founder and executive director of Animal House Rescue & Grooming, will stay on through the end of 2019 to ensure a smooth transition and will assist in a consultative capacity for a short time after the merger.
“Over the years, I realized as the co-founder of Animal House that at some point I would be ready to move on to some new challenges,” Eccleston said. “For the past few years, the Animal House Board of Directors and I talked about what an ideal succession plan would be, and then this idea to merge with FCCRSNC came about. I couldn’t have been happier.”
The two organizations will continue to offer their current services and operate at their respective locations for the remainder of 2019. Over the coming months, they will jointly formalize plans for the future development of the new organization’s facilities and programs. “When we come together, we will continue to focus on what we have been doing,” Swanty said. “We will not only be housing homeless animals and getting them ready for adoption, but continuing our work in keeping pets with their families and out of shelters.”
The new, unified organization does not yet have a name or logo, but the merger team will be soliciting ideas from the community in the coming weeks and months. To stay up to date on this merger, visit FCCRSNC.org/merger.php, animalhousehelp.org/merger, or catdogmergerblog.blogspot.com.
About Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic
Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic is an adoption guarantee, limited-admission, nonprofit cat shelter and subsidized sterilization clinic for both dogs and cats. The organization is dedicated to the well-being of all cats and dogs in our community with emphasis on preventing pet homelessness and on the sheltering and placement of surrendered or abandoned cats into loving, permanent homes. To further reduce pet homelessness, our organization also provides spay/neuter assistance and supplemental food to low-income pet owners, behavior resources for cat and dog owners, and a Community Cat Program that traps and sterilizes feral felines. Since its inception, the shelter has found homes for more than 17,600 cats, and the clinic has performed more than 60,000 surgeries. More information can be found at FCCRSNC.org.
About Animal House Rescue & Grooming
Opened in March 2007, Animal House Rescue & Grooming is an adoption guarantee, limited-admission, nonprofit shelter and a supportive resource for more than 50 shelters and rescues both statewide and nationally. Partnering with overpopulated and underserved shelters, we provide relief in decreasing the euthanasia of healthy, adoptable dogs and puppies. We have saved more than 8,000 lives, provided more than 30,000 grooming services (which support our shelter), and continue to provide a valuable service both to the animals and our communities. At Animal House we give homeless dogs and puppies what they need most — the time to find their forever homes. For more information visit animalhousehelp.org.
Swanty Eccleston.jpg (Photo by Joyce Dickens)
Sarah Swanty (left) and Ali Eccleston celebrate the announcement of the merger between Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic and Animal House Rescue & Grooming by cuddling with new puppy and kitten friends.