Dogs are historically classified as man’s best friend, but often times they are left as a stray, forgotten by the public, and in the most sickening cases abused and neglected. It’s these forgotten best friends that the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter, located at 9500 Sweet Valley Drive in Valley View, caters to, their mission is to rehabilitate and rehome every dog that comes through its facility. They take special care to ensure lost pets are returned to their loving owners and offer a vast array of programs to give back to the community.
Upon visiting, you’ll be met by friendly staff, gorgeous tile work, and multiple bulletin boards showcasing happy adoption stories 
and upcoming events. The facility is well-lit, extremely clean, and thoughtfully laid out. Private adoption rooms line the walls and a double doorway provided the grand entrance the kennels at the building’s rear.
As for the dogs, a variety of different breeds, ages and temperaments were available for both foster and adoption. While not all of them are on the floor at once because of the rotating walking and enrichment cycle, a multitude of potentially great pets sit waiting for you. Small breeds, although in limited numbers, are kept in a separate room, and each dog is equipped with a name and temperament description.
Quite honestly it was difficult leaving without taking one home. A fan favorite was Pickles, an American bulldog mix found stray, who is just under a year old. Although he had sad eyes, his laid-back temperament and gentle nature would make for the perfect couch potato companion.
Other standouts were Princess and Speckles, who are a bonded pair and available for adoption together. Although they had a bit of spunk, they’re great with other dogs and most cats, and their story of staying together, even when stray tugs on the heartstrings. 
According to The Virginia-Maryland Veterinary College, “Shelter pets often come with a surprising amount of resilience and gratitude. They can have experienced hardships and adversity, which makes them appreciate the love and care they receive in their new home even more.” CCAS’s best example of this would be Nebula, while both a heartworm survivor and epilepsy sufferer, she is still a little ball of sunshine. Her history and diagnosis don’t hold her back, as she is expected to live a long happy life, filled with two of her favorite things, leash walking and fluffy blankets. 
If adoption or fostering is too big of a commitment, CCAS has multiple programs for volunteer work, while this is age-restricted, most can find a program rewarding for them.
For students under the age of 18, the shelter offers a self-guided research or volunteer opportunity, their website says the following, “We allow them the opportunity to learn and study things that interest them. Students can start a fundraiser, research breed specific legislation, make blankets, or whatever they care about most.”
Volunteers, 18 and older, have the chance to work hands-on with shelter dogs, whether walking, enriching them, or aiding in the adoption process. Although most of these positions require some training, they are still extremely rewarding.
If at all interested in opportunities to give back, the CCAS website (https://animalshelter.cuyahogacounty.gov) provides detailed descriptions of each program while also providing a contact link to the head of volunteer services.
However, if in a time crunch, monetary donations are just as appreciated as in-person volunteering. This ensures the dogs not only have their medical and care needs met, but also provides the shelter with ample opportunity to host events (both for adoption, licensing, and fundraising). While the donation link is on their site page, it is also linked below (https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E348754&id=55)
