. . . Take a "behind the scenes" look on what it takes day-to-day to run a shelter that cares for and adopts over 150 cats a year!Our Story
For nearly 25 years we've been changing lives, yours . . . and theirs
Eglin Pet Welfare began as a no-kill, all-volunteer shelter for homeless cats and dogs on Eglin Air Force Base. SMSgt James "Mack" McCallum and his wife Rose started "Pet Welfare" in 1982 to ease the problem of stray and abandoned animals on the base. In order to establish their set up Mack asked the base installation commander for an area to house the shelter and was given the old Air Force K-9 dog kennels on range road. The original kennels were built in 1961 but had been abandoned by 1982.
The attached office was converted into a cat room where most of the animals were required to be in cages. Over the years two trailer-type buildings were purchased, one for use as a laundry and food storage area and the other as an isolation/quarantine area for the cats.
The volunteers struggled to pay the steady veterinary bills and would ask for donations and pay the remainder out of their own pockets. In order to pay one particular large vet bill, they held a carwash during every weekend for 2 months straight! Fundraisers were always used to keep the mounting bills down.
During the early days the dogs were kept in fenced in corals and the cats were in cages that were stacked together and wrapped in blankets and blue tarps to keep the cats warm at night. Adoptions back then were free, they were just happy to be able to provide a home for the stray animals. Later when they started an adoption fee to help pay for the operating expenses the fee was $50. Prisoners from the federal prison on Eglin AFB were employed to help fix up the shelter facilities and build dog houses. Click here to read an early Pet Welfare Pamphlet.
Originally organized to alleviate the stray and abandoned animal problem on Eglin AFB the volunteers realized their work assisted military families that lived off base too. They decided to open to the public and have been serving the local Emerald Coast community ever since.
In November 2002, EPW celebrated the Grand Opening of the new facility. It took 6 years of hard work and fundraising to make the dream a reality. The new permanent structure consists of a more functional office area, a large "free-roaming" cat room, a laundry and storage area and three dog isolation kennels with outdoor runs. It also contains an indoor animal bathing area and restroom facilities.
Eglin Pet Welfare has been able to provide a safe, healthy and loving environment for the local stray, abandoned and homeless animals while suitable adoptive families can be found. We are only able to continue our important endeavor because we have very caring volunteers and a generous community.
Today, nearly a quarter of a century later we continue our devotion to our mission of taking care of abandoned cats and dogs. We have and continue to operate solely on donations, gifts, fundraisers and grants from the following organizations and groups:
* Folke H. Peterson Charitable Foundation
* J. Robert Nonemaker Foundation for Small Animals, Inc.
* Okaloosa County Kennel Club
* Combined Federal Campaign
* Build-A-Bear Workshop
* Eglin Officers Spouses' Club
Every animal's life is special, worthy of our respect, and deserving of humane treatment. Every day we love and care for animals in need, whose lives depend upon our ability to give them food, shelter, and medical care. Your gift makes it possible for us to transform a sick and lonely animal's suffering into a lifesaving treatment, a nutritious meal, a warm bed, and a loving touch.
Eglin Pet Welfare looks towards the future and we hope to continue our mission until there are no abandoned or stray animals in need.
"A pet is never truly forgotten until it is no longer remembered"
If you have high speed internet connection and would like to see a collection of early Pet Welfare photos – they are available for downloading.
Part 1 - Contains 30 pages of photos in pdf format (file: 6.1 Mb)
Part 2 - Contains 30 Pages of photos in pdf format (file: 7.5 Mb)