No Room Left: A Shelter Manager's Uphill Battle
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Viktoria Pezzei
Team Luster
Alisson Mitchell, 29, who starts her days at 5:30 a.m., never intended to run a shelter. She dropped out of college six years ago when a manager position fell into her lap after just one year of working as a caretaker at the shelter. What began as a childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian evolved into managing a facility built in the late 1990s that was never equipped to handle the current influx of abandoned animals.
Mitchell is the manager of the Franklin County Humane Society in Union, Missouri, and battles overwhelming demand at the donation-based facility while juggling life as a mother of three children under 4, along with her own three dogs and two cats at home.
“There's a joke around my staff members that I shouldn't answer the phone because I can't say no,“ Mitchell said, reflecting on her inability to turn away animals in need. “There aren't many dog-friendly places around here due to restrictive landlord policies.” Missouri's weak animal protection laws compound the problem, leaving Mitchell fighting an uphill battle against irresponsible pet ownership.
Seeking long-term solutions, Mitchell has partnered with Union High School to provide educational programs for high school students, aiming to create deeper connections between young people and animals while promoting more responsible pet ownership in the next generation.
Despite building a new home with her boyfriend a year ago, Mitchell's personal life remains intertwined with her work. She no longer brings her dogs to the shelter since having children, but the weight of responsibility follows her home. “You won't see me more than 10 minutes at my desk,” she said while constantly moving between crisis and care.
Allison Mitchell, 29, center left, and other staff members work at the Franklin County Humane Society in Union. The facility is at its capacity, forcing creative use of every available space.
Allison holds two abandoned puppies at the Franklin County Humane Society. "You won't see me more than 10 minutes at my desk," Allison said, constantly moving between crisis calls and hands-on animal care.
Allison photographs animals for adoption listings in front of the humane society. "There aren't many dog-friendly places around here due to restrictive landlord policies,” Allison explained, making it challenging to adopt dogs.
Cassandra Portell, 18, a high school student, cleans windows with a fellow student during an educational program at the Franklin County Humane Society. Allison partnered with Union High School, believing education is key to breaking the cycle of animal abandonment.
Kendall Patient, 17, a high school student, plays with kittens at the humane society. The hands-on experience with animals is designed to create deeper connections between young people and pets.
Meredith Sharringhausen, 17, a high school student, cuddles with cats at the humane society. The educational initiative aims to nurture a generation that understands responsible pet ownership in a state with weak animal protection laws.
Allison photographs a kitten for adoption listings. Creating compelling photos is a crucial part of her work to help find homes quickly of surrendered pets.
Allison walks a puppy that was abandoned in front of the humane society.
Allison lets her dog outside as her children sit in their home in Wright City, Mo. After working at the pet shelter, Allison picks up her children from her sister, who babysits them. "I've always been a workaholic. During college, I only had classes two days a week and worked as a bartender the rest of the week," Allison said.
Allison comforts her crying son at bedtime. Her care goes beyond her workplace, reflecting in motherly love toword her little children.
Allison watches her dogs in the backyard. Since having children, Allison no longer brings her own pets to the pet shelter.
Allison ends her night on her couch at home surrounded by her dogs while her boyfriend Harley DeWalt, 31, sleeps. Balancing her role as pet shelter manager with motherhood exhaustes her due to her professional calling and family responsibilities.
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