Mission Statement: Best Friends of Baker, Inc. advocates for
the needs of domestic pets, particularly dogs and cats, within Baker
County, Oregon.We promote respect, dignity, humane treatment, and responsible
population control through education and spaying and neutering,
medical needs, shelter, foster care and thoughtful placement and
adoption of all the animals.
Best Friends of Baker, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public
benefit corporation and, as such, all donations are tax deductible.
We are a no-kill rescue, education, and advocacy organization whose
volunteers ensure that pets are treated in a humane manner. We
provide
fosterhomes for
rescued animals, and we find permanent "forever" homes for pets.
Our goal is to have an animal shelter in Baker City, Oregon that
will help us provide the best service possible to our pets and to
families. To date we have raised over $80,000 for this facility, but
in order to purchase, refurbish, and open the shelter, we’ll need to
more than double that number. Your tax deductible
gift will help us meet that goal.
History Our group was founded in 1988 when two people rescued a pregnant
and abused mutt from a group of drug-using people. She came to be
known as Lucky. Lucky received a complete makeover, was housebroken,
went to charm school, and after acquiring acceptable social graces
was placed in a loving home with children until the end of her days.
Shortly after this rescue, a small group of people gathered to try
to duplicate Lucky's good fortune. In 1989, the process of
requesting a non-profit status from the federal government began.
After almost a year of correspondence, our non-profit status was
granted in 1990 and continues today.
The original group of 20 worked diligently and in its best years
touched over 300 dogs and 300 cats in one way or another (shots,
worming, spay/neuter, finding homes, reuniting with owners, etc.).
After 6 years the small group dwindled down to a handful of
volunteers. Those volunteers, although committed to their work,
became worn out and the group became inactive.
Best Friends of Baker, Inc. found new friends in 2005 who wished to
refresh and revive the original intent of helping pets. Their new
mission reflected more long-term goals and, ultimately, establishing
a permanent animal shelter in Baker City. By the end of 2009 we had
helped nearly 900 dogs and cats.
Key Elements of the Organization
Non profit status
Build a year-round fully operational
shelter with medical care, neuter/spay clinics and financial
assistance
Active foster care program
Active adoption program that ensures
visibility of animal placement, along with humane treatment
and care.
Quality lifestyle for pets
Educational program that includes humane
methods for obedience training, spay/neuter awareness, and
general information through the media for the pet owner
Advocacy in preventing cruelty, neglect,
and inhumane treatment to animals
