MIDDLEBURY — Homeward Bound, Addison County’s Humane Society, has begun to help animals from outside of Addison County. Since the beginning of the year, the Middlebury shelter has worked with groups from as close as northern Vermont to as far as Kentucky to transport dogs and cats who need a second chance. The shelter has received two dogs, five puppies, 16 cats, and five kittens to date.
In the past, Homeward Bound has taken in a half dozen out-of-county animals, typically a few dogs from the South each year. In the latter part of 2015, it became clear that the shelter had the capacity to reach out even further beyond its traditional boundary lines. 
Executive Director Jessica Danyow credits the ability to do this to Homeward Bound’s state-of-the-art facility, skilled staff, dedicated volunteers and a community that embraces the idea of giving companion animals, no matter where they come from, a second chance. She said, “We would not be in a position to save these animals if it wasn’t for our staff, volunteers and the community in which we live. Additionally, operational efficiencies our staff has implemented are significant.
“The average length of stay for an animal in our shelter went from 88 days in 2013 to 33 days in 2015. Moving animals through the shelter more quickly has set us up to be able to help more animals. This is a priority for us in 2016.”
Anyone interested in adopting one of Homeward Bound’s newest residents can visit the shelter Tuesday through Saturday between noon and 5 p.m. It is located at 236 Boardman St. in Middlebury.