When Melanie first started volunteering at a small local animal shelter, she was still practicing law. Her weekdays were spent guiding clients through legal matters; her weekends helping animals find homes. 

One afternoon, while playing near the tracks, Kelly heard faint meows. Following the sound, she discovered a litter of kittens discarded in a cardboard box. She felt a wave of sadness, but didn’t know what to do.

Nearly 15 years ago, Teresa Scherl Gerdsen attended a mega-adoption event for shelter animals. It was there that she first learned about UCAN—and immediately fell in love with its mission: keeping pets and people together at home.  

Every Wednesday, China climbs into her empty transport van to make the short drive to Northern Kentucky, returning later with 20–40 stray dogs and cats ready to be rescued. 

Jenny Mor remembers it like yesterday — the dirty room, the smell…the ironing board. Even though she was only eight years old at the time, Jenny knew this wasn’t right.