Golden Empire Humane Society / AnimalSave

AnimalSave was formed in 1998 for the purpose of building a no-kill pet adoption center in western Nevada County. Almost immediately, it merged with the Golden Empire Humane Society, a community non-profit that has been in existence since 1973. In the years leading up to AnimalSave's creation euthanasia rates at the two local shelters reached staggering proportions. From January 1996 through December 1997 over 4,600 animals were killed, well over half the total number of dogs and cats the shelters admitted. For concerned citizens like Judi Caler, AnimalSave's founder, the impetus to transform Nevada County into a more humane community was paramount.

Supported by a firm determination to help animals in need, a resolve that remains AnimalSave's utmost priority, AnimalSave's volunteer leadership commenced the first stages of the no-kill project. The Board reached far and wide in its initial research, contacting and learning from other no-kill organizations across the country including the Galletin County Humane Society in Bozeman, Montana, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, the North Shore Animal League in New York and the San Francisco SPCA. Additionally, board members visited the Marin Humane Society, the Oakland SPCA, Maddie's Adoption Center (San Francisco SPCA), Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation in Walnut Creek, the Peninsula Humane Society, the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society and Pet Lifeline in Yuba City and attended two national no-kill conferences.

Property on Rough & Ready HighwayIn 1999, when local residents Judi and Michael Funk learned of AnimalSave's intentions to build a no-kill adoption center, they set out to find a piece of property that would suit such a facility. Their search led them to 8 1/2 acres ideally situated along Rough and Ready Highway just one mile from downtown Grass Valley. In a tremendous act of generosity and out of a deep love for animals, Judi and Michael purchased the property for AnimalSave.

Bolstered by the Funks' incredible donation, AnimalSave hired ARQ Architects, experts in the shelter building field and designers of the internationally known Maddie's Adoption Center in San Francisco, to design a no-frills state of the art, environmentally friendly and energy efficient adoption center. This decision came after compiling hundreds of hours of research and considering a wide variety of alternatives.

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