About

We are a volunteer operated organization

Our Mission

1000061559

LIFE House for Animals is a no-kill canine and feline adoption facility with managed intake. Our mission is to nurture, celebrate, and reinforce the human-animal bond with successful animal adoptions, preventing overpopulation of pets and providing community education and awareness of animal issues. Our mission is accomplished by making permanent placements based on the individual needs of the animals and adopters.

What We Believe

charlotte13

Euthanasia of animals due to overpopulation will not be performed at the facility. If an animal is fortunate enough to make it to L.I.F.E. House, it will remain there until a home is found whether it takes a day, a week, a month, or a year. As a managed intake facility, our guest’s health and temperament will be assessed prior to acceptance.  We must determine if we have the ability to meet the needs of this animal and provide the quality of care it deserves while in our facility as we nurture and prepare it for adoption.

LH

Our Story

Without the generous donation of the land by our founder, benefactor and Guardian Angel C. Michael Davenport our promise of a bright future for our lost and forgotten animals would never have come to fruition. As developer of the adjacent Prevention Park, Michael aptly named the street on which we are located, Fido, after his beloved ShihTzu.

Wendell F. Butler took on the herculean task of dealing with the governmental red tape to establish us as a legal nonprofit facility.

Betty J. Martin, has given so freely of herself in enabling the daily function and ongoing challenges of maintaining the facility and finding loving homes for our “guests”. For her, this is not a job, it is her “L.i.F.E”.

We are so grateful for the hands and hearts of those in our community upon whom we depend. It is our Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and the generous individuals and companies who give so freely of their time and their love of animals that make
it all possible.

L.I.F.E House is a dream, it’s a challenge, it’s a hope for a future where all pets are loved and well taken care of; after all,  isn’t that what they do for us.

A message from our Founder:
Betty J. Martin

I was invited to be a part of the founding of L.I.F.E. House For Animals because of my love and experience working with animals at a local veterinary clinic.  I had the knowledge of the health needs of the animals and the guidelines of running a pet care facility.  I was – and am – truly honored to be a part of this dream.  I am so blessed to have the opportunity to care for God’s creatures every day and help others find joy in adopting their next “best friends.”  The other benefit is getting to meet and work alongside so many wonderful volunteers. Without LIFE House, our paths would never have crossed.  They are truly inspiring to me!

In 2018, the Board of Directors voted to rename L.I.F.E. House For Animals in my honor.  The Betty J. Martin L.I.F.E. House For Animals, Inc.  So amazing – and humbling!  It is a lot of hard work, but it takes many hands to make it succeed.

As for my personal furry friends, I get attached to each of our guests and am tempted to take each one home with me.  My companions who share my home are 6 dogs and 2 cats; 2 chihuahuas – Little Bit & Lucy, 2 Jack Russell mix- Izzy and Harvey; a ShihTzu mix- Dottie; and a Jack Russell/Beagle mix- Nancy.  Our cats are Sugar Ray and Frankie.  Yes, they are all L.I.F.E. House alumni!  I am the “kid in the candy store.”

The success of this dream is possible through the incredible public support we have experienced in our 18 years of operation.  This support has come through monetary contributions, volunteerism, and public relations to find homes for the animals.

Thank you for joining us in our dream.

Board of Directors

Executive Board Annual Meeting

September 11, 6:15pm

Dawn Howard Welch
Incoming President, PR, Fundraising
Phil Plant
Vice President, Secretary
Mary Hernandez
Treasurer
Stephen Burchett
DVM, Board Member
Betty J. Martin
Outgoing President, Director of Animal Care, Board Member
Chris Musinski
Board Member
Casey TIllett
Board Member

Quarterly Meeting Schedule

2025
January 9, 6:15pm
April 10, 6:15pm
July 10, 6:15pm
September 11, 6:15pm (Annual Meeting)
October 9, 6:15pm

Advisory Board

Meredith Plant
Chair, Education Co-Lead, Public Relations, Promotions Team
Brett Moore
Vice Chair, Shelter Maintenance and Improvement
Terri Smith
Secretary, Peddlers Mall
Chris Musinski
Shelter Manager
Lesa Dillon
Love for a LIFEtime Help Fund
Beth Jurek
Cat Team Leader
Amanda Mullins
Dog Team/Emergency Food Pantry
Jamie Morgan
Dog Team, Dog Enrichment Lead
Melanie Moore
Dog Team Leader
Becky Gatewood
Green Iniatives
Dawn Welch
Executive Board President, Fundraiser, Public Relations
Tonya Green
Cat Team
Betty Martin
Director of Animal Care
Tracey Jewell
Grant Writer
2024 Monthly Meeting
September 16, 5:30pm
October 21, 5:30pm
November 18, 5:30pm
December 16, 5:30pm
2025 Monthly Meeting
January 20, 5:30pm
February 17, 5:30pm
March 17, 5:30pm
April 21, 5:30pm
May 19, 5:30pm
June 16, 5:30pm
July 21, 5:30pm
August 18, 5:30pm
September 15, 5:30pm
October 20, 5:30pm
November 17, 5:30pm
December 15, 5:30pm

Non-Discrimination Policy

The LIFE House for Animals does not unlawfully discriminate internally (in its administrative and program operations) or externally (in provision of services) on the basis of race, political orientation, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, or mental or physical disability or any other status prohibited by applicable law.

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

Please sign up for our newsletter for dog related tips and tricks and to get updates on our dogs & events!

X