Waggs and Wishes: Prepare to be Overwhelmed by Cuteness

If there is a modern-day patron saint for dogs and cats in Ferndale, she might be found happily working 80 hours a week at her newly founded no-kill shelter, .

Angie Potter rolls her eyes at that characterization, and then it's right back to work rescuing and caring for the increasing number of stray, abandoned and abused animals that would otherwise be euthanized.

An animal rescuer her entire life, Potter once tricked her mom into giving her the basement bedroom so she could keep all of the animals she felt compelled to save. Fast-forwarding to her adult life, some things don't change. When she heard that the Ferndale Animal Shelter, housed on the yard on East Cambourne, would be closing due to budget cuts, she did some more persuading. She talked her mom Penny, sister Joette Messing and brother Aaron into helping her out in realizing her mission in life: Waggs and Wishes.

I must admit, volunteering at Waggs and Wishes was not something I initially was looking forward to. First, I'm really not an animal person. They're cute and all, I just don't get all goofy and gushy over them like people have been known to do.

Secondly, I thought this would be super depressing. I thought, "Wasn't there some kind of event I could just volunteer for? Something more fun? Do I have to clean up poop?"

But it was in motion, it had to be done. So I dragged myself to the DPW complex at 10 a.m. the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. 

I don't want to jump ahead, but I have to say that never before has such mushiness, which is a good word to call it, flowed from me. Then noises like "awww" and words like "sweet" and "cute" and "adorable" started coming out of my mouth. And that was pretty much how I acted the entire time I was at Waggs. I felt like I had stumbled onto some pure goodness.

As a volunteer for Waggs, your assignment will most likely be walking dogs so that their cages and kennels can be cleaned. Or you might help with the cleaning. I know what you're thinking – Poo. But it isn't so bad, really.

Another volunteer opportunity is to help with the laundry, about two or three loads a day. We're not talking jeans, though. More like animal blankets.

The first little creature I met and walked was a dog named Hope, the sweetest, happiest beagle you could ever imagine. Hope, according to Potter, had just been through hell and back. She had been overbred for profit and then thrown out on the streets, Potter said. Potter found her half bald and almost dead, and two months later she has all of her hair and, more importantly, her swagger back.

The stories go on like this forever at Waggs.

One of Waggs' core volunteers requested this story help find a home for Steve, another dog rescued by Waggs. Steven and Hope are just two of the 40 other unique and sweet animals on-site, as well as over 50 puppies and dogs, that have been placed in foster homes. 

"We are lucky to be able to say we are a no-kill shelter," said Potter's sister, Joette, who works full-time at the shelter. "It's just not possible for every shelter to avoid euthanizing because overpopulation is such a problem."

According to American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) there are about 5 million to 7 million pets entering shelters yearly, and 3 million to 4 million animals are euthanized.

That is why the two bumper stickers on the front door of Waggs remind visitors to spay and neuter, and that shelter dogs make the best dogs. Potter said these practices combined would help solve the crisis. 

There is also a pink pit bull sticker on the window with the words "Hate the deed, not the breed." Potter has a real soft spot for pits, she said. In most cases, these dogs will be euthanized immediately, even though originally their kind nature earned them the title of "nanny dogs," she added. And yes, Petey from the Little Rascals was once the popular image of these dogs before they were bred for fighting.

By the way, Potter is currently helping a friend, who has adopted a family of pit bulls, raise money for Blaze, a puppy born with a cleft palate and in need of a $5,000 surgery. 

The development work, the fundraising, promotions, paperwork, is not at all what Potter likes to do. "I'd rather be here rolling around with the dogs and cleaning up (expletive)," she said. Yet she has inspired a number of contributors and core volunteers that make the shelter possible. She has also garnered support from the surrounding bars and restaurants in Ferndale, including , and who have all chipped in to help host her fundraisers.

With Waggs' upcoming 501(c)3 status, it looks as if larger donations and grants may be in the cards.

"Ideally, four full-time staff members could help the shelter run more smoothly, and allow me to do the work of rescuing and taking care of the animals," Potter said.

I asked if she would ever see a salary. She just says that this would be the last priority, even though the demands of the shelter in Ferndale have left her and her sister Joette without time for paying work. 

It's as Potter's Facebook page states, "I am an Animal Rescuer, my work is never done, my home is never quiet, my wallet is always empty, but my heart is always full."

And as for me, well, I fell in love with that little beagle named Hope.

I'm negotiating with my household now, as this is a big responsibility we weren't actively looking for. But if all goes my way, I'll be walking around Ferndale with an imperfect little Beagle named Hope.

Waggs needs volunteers everyday of the week. To volunteer call 734-658-1268. You signup for time slots and go through an initial training with Joette Messing.

There is also a list of in-demand supplies Waggs needs that can be found on its Web site here. You can also view a list of animals that may be fostered or adopted.