MADISON – A group of local volunteers has fulfilled a major component of its journey by opening an adoption center and thrift store in Madison to help homeless dogs and cats.

“We have been working on this journey for years now,” volunteer Denise Phillips said. “We are beyond excited to join the Madison community in a new, truly life-saving adventure.”

A New Leash on Life has two buildings: an adoption center at 1292 Slaughter Road and a thrift store at 1300 Slaughter Road. “We rely on donations and you to pull this off,” Phillips said.  

“Our mission is to rescue animals from high-kill shelters and work our tails off to give them their best future lives possible,” Phillips said. “We do not shy away from rescuing dogs who need orthopedic surgeries, heartworm treatment, dental services and everything in between. It’s a community effort that inevitably becomes a family.”

Their thrift store generates critical funding to renovate and maintain the lifesaving adoption center. The store’s inventory ranges from furniture, clothing, shoes, purses and sports/exercise equipment to crafts, garden tools, school supplies, linens, kitchenware, toys, books, movies, games, home decor and interesting nick-knacks.

For people willing to foster, a liaison with the center will help in completing the process, answer questions and help choose a dog, cat, puppy or kitten that will fit comfortable with the family and its schedule.

“We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. All proceeds go towards rescuing, vetting and finding homeless and hopeless animals ‘furever’ homes,” Phillips said. “We are accepting donations daily.”

“We have a lofty, but achievable, goal of saving all of Alabama’s homeless animals. (We must) reduce the number of pets killed in shelters and reduce the number of homeless pets on the streets in Alabama’s communities. All of them deserve our help,” Phillips said.

Pet Supplies Plus on Wall Triana in Madison has daily adoptions for cats from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

A New Leash on Life in Madison is open on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. “We will expand hours as we can,” Phillips said.

For more information, visit a newleash.org.