The Cumberland County Animal Services Department has been recognized with the Transformational Change Award from Best Friends Animal Society, a national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending the killing of dogs and cats in America's shelters. The department received the honor for having the largest improvement in their “live release rate” (the number of animals leaving the shelter in a positive outcome) for shelters intaking 2,000 to 10,000 animals per year.
“This award recognizes the hard work on the part of our department, rescue groups and other partners. We are proud that over 80% of the shelter animals we received left and went to forever homes or to other organizations that help find new owners. We will continue to work to maintain a low euthanasia rate,” said Animal Services Director Elaine Smith.

Animal Services is a member of the Best Friends Network, which comprises more than 3,300 animal shelters, spay/neuter organizations and other 501(c)(3) public charity rescue groups across the country working to save the lives of dogs and cats in their communities.
"It's incredible to see so many shelters around the nation taking dramatic steps to increase lifesaving,” said Brent Toellner, senior director, national programs for Best Friends Animal Society. “Whether it be through new programming, progressive leadership or better collaborative partnerships, these groups are showing that lifesaving success is possible regardless of a shelter’s size or location.”