PROGRESS: BTAA shows up for regional animals, residents

At Better Together Animal Alliance, progress is driven by a region that shows up for animals and for each other. 

What was once known as a place for stray dogs has transformed into a modern, nationally recognized animal welfare organization that helps keep people and pets together and reaches more people and animals than ever before.

In 2025, BTAA helped 1,471 animals find loving homes and performed 655 community spay and neuter surgeries that helped reduce unwanted litters. Our Trap-Neuter-Return efforts supported 421 community cats, advancing humane solutions for free-roaming cat populations.

We expanded access to veterinary care for under-resourced people, and delivered services in rural communities, including a vaccine and microchip clinic in Post Falls, helping remove geographic and financial barriers for pet owners. Our Helpline remained a critical resource, fielding 4,097 calls, offering support to keep pets with their families during times of need.

Through our Home To Home program, 429 pets were assisted via the online program, helping pets go from one home to another and avoiding a shelter stay altogether. At the same time, our veterinary team provided lifesaving care to sick and injured stray animals, and we continued to support vulnerable dogs brought to us by community members, even without holding municipal stray contracts.

Beyond direct animal services, our Thrift Store played an important role in supporting both our mission and the community by providing affordable, high-quality goods, generating over $1.2 million in critical funding for animal care programs.

Challenges facing pets, pet owners

Despite this progress, significant challenges remain. Many people, especially in rural parts of our region, continue to face limited access to affordable veterinary care. Barriers such as transportation, cost, and availability of services make it difficult for pet owners to access even basic care like vaccines, microchips, wellness exams, or spay and neuter services

Housing insecurity also impacts pet retention, as a lack of pet-friendly housing options forces some pet guardians to make heartbreaking decisions. These systemic challenges highlight the growing need for accessible, community-based solutions that meet people where they are.

Our priorities moving forward

When a dog or cat needs to be sheltered at BTAA, we provide an enriching experience while they wait for adoption. However, despite our high standard of care, the best place for a pet is not in a cage. To that end, we make investments that support people and pets so that surrendering a pet is the last option. 

We’re focused on expanding community and veterinary services that address gaps and keep pets with their families whenever possible. We’re increasing access to low-cost spay and neuter services, and bolstering programs like our Helpline and targeted, community-based support programs. We are committed to strengthening resources like Temporary Loving Care, which boards pets for free when pet guardians experience emergencies, and other safety-net services that provide direct assistance to pet owners in crisis. These programs are essential to reducing shelter intake and supporting long-term stability for both pets and people.

Our thrift store will continue to serve as both a community resource and a mission-driven enterprise, offering affordable goods while helping fund the lifesaving work happening every day at BTAA.

Looking ahead

Our region’s progress — more pets staying in their homes, more pet guardians receiving support, and more humane outcomes across our region — is not happening by chance. It is the direct result of a compassionate, engaged region of compassionate people.

Donors, volunteers, staff, and partners make this work possible. Thanks to them, BTAA is keeping people and pets together more successfully than ever before, and building a stronger, more humane future for all.

    Better Together Animal Alliance staff and volunteers take care of a few dogs at a recent clinic.

Dig Chrismer is the manager of storytelling and public relations for Better Together Animal Alliance.