Dear friends and supporters,

For 28 towns across Rutland County, and for everyone who has ever opened their heart and home to an animal in our care, I have some exciting news to share: Rutland County Humane Society has a new name. We are now Tails of Hope.

It has been a whirlwind first eight months for me as Executive Director, working side by side every day with our Shelter Director, Amelia Gardner. Together with our whole team, we’ve made real strides in living out our commitment to serve the animals of Rutland County and the people who love them — and this new name is a reflection of that work. It captures what we’re building here: a true home for hope, for every animal that comes through our doors and every person who walks in looking for one.

I want to take a moment to recognize Amelia. She has been with us a long time, and she brings a rare kind of grace and poise to even the most difficult situations. Her knowledge of animal welfare and behavior, paired with her hands-on leadership, is invaluable to this organization — she is, quite simply, grace under pressure.

Over the past several months we’ve also reworked how we operate day to day, building out dedicated roles so our staff can put down roots here and grow with us for the long term. At the foundation of it all are our animal caretakers, the ones caring for the animals every single day. That includes our animal intake and animal health coordinators, our adoption center team, and our development and marketing team — the people who build donor relationships and tell the stories that make this work possible.

More than anything, I’m proud of the people who do this work. Not a day goes by that I don’t hear a staff member say, unprompted, how much they love their job and how lucky they feel to be here. It isn’t without tears — this work has hard days — but there is a camaraderie and a family feeling here that is truly starting to show, and that we hope every visitor feels the moment they walk in. This shelter is a temporary home for the animals in our care, and we want it to feel like one.

A note on our search for a permanent home. We’ve pivoted in our search for land, and we’re now focused on finding a site centrally located within Rutland County. We’re optimistic, and we’re hopeful we’ll be able to break ground and build within the next two years. Stay tuned — we’ll share news as soon as we have it.

A few things to look forward to this year:

• The 20th Annual Duck Derby — a fun day with games, vendors, and food trucks; we’ll announce the location shortly. It’s going to quack you up.
• Trails for Tails 5K & Fun Run — Saturday, October 3rd at Northwood Park. Lace up your sneakers and bring the whole family (four-legged members included) for a great day of fun and community.

And I have to tell you about the best part of my summer so far: after a 15-year hiatus, we brought back Camp Fur-Ever Friends. Last week we welcomed Pet Pals, ages 6–9, and this week we’re hosting Animal Advocates, ages 10–12. We’ve brought in professionals from across the community to share what they do and how they support animal welfare — and it has been such a joy to watch these kids light up. We’re not just teaching camp; we’re cultivating the compassionate, responsible animal owners, volunteers, fosters, donors, and maybe even the veterinarians and animal control officers of tomorrow. 

One more thank-you: thanks to a generous grant from Home Depot and countless hours from our Volunteer Coordinator, Mary St. Peter, we’ve repainted the entire inside of the shelter. It’s brighter, it’s cleaner, and — everyone agrees — it even smells better. It feels a little more like home.

If you’re in the area, please stop by. We would love nothing more than to show you the work being done here every day. And if you’re looking to add a new furry friend to your family, Tails of Hope is where you’ll find them their forever home.

With the utmost gratitude to our donors, adopters, volunteers, and fosters — we could not do this work without you. The animals need you, and so do we.

Warmly,

Thomasina Magoon
Executive Director, Tails of Hope

To our Rutland County family,

By now you’ve read the exciting news; our new name, our new logo, and the next chapter for what used to be the Rutland County Humane Society. I want to take a moment to add my own voice to this milestone, because what’s happening behind the scenes is just as meaningful as what’s on the sign out front.

This name change isn’t just about a fresh look. It’s about the team we’ve been building a team that lets us stop just keeping our heads above water and start focusing on what moves the needle for animals and people in our community. That means more clinics, and better programs. More ways to make sure cost is never the reason a family can’t care for their pet.

One program I’m especially excited to grow is our Trap-Neuter-Release effort. We’re expanding our outreach and education across the 28 towns in Rutland County, not just to spay and neuter more cats, but to understand what each town needs. Every community here is different, and the more we listen, the better we can show up for them.

None of this happens without our foster families and volunteers. They are the backbone of this work. Reliable, generous with their time, and always willing to step in exactly where we need them most. I don’t say that lightly. This organization runs on their commitment.

And that commitment doesn’t grow on its own. Our foster and volunteer program has grown the way it has because of Mary St. Peter, our Volunteer Coordinator. Mary is a true example of passion and dedication to our mission — she is a “volunteer” volunteer coordinator.

We’re also building a closer working relationship with Lisa Milot, Vermont’s Division of Animal Welfare Director, so that whenever a difficult situation arises, we’re equipped to navigate it the right way, with the law, and the animals’ best interests, both front and center.

And it doesn’t stop when an animal goes home. We’re investing in long-term relationships between our staff, and our adopters. Post-adoption support is a priority, because sending an animal home is just the beginning. We want to set every family, human and animal alike, up for a lifetime together. Read Happy Tales stories here.

So, to our community: welcome to Tails of Hope. We’re glad you’re here.

I also want to say something personal. I am so honored to be part of a team like this one. Working alongside Thomasina has been one of the real joys of this role. Her energy, passion, and optimism meet every challenge head-on, and it’s contagious. Just because one door closes doesn’t mean we stop fighting for something better. The animals and this community deserve nothing less. That’s why we’re here.

With gratitude,

Amelia Gardner
Shelter Director, Tails of Hope

Get ready to duck out your calendars — the Duck Derby turns 20 this year, and we’re making a big splash! Stay tuned for the link to grab your ducks. Whether you’re here to paddle, waddle, or just quack us up, this milestone year is going to be egg-cellent. Twenty years of ducks doing good — don’t miss the boat!