Often, one person can destroy a life. But all it takes is one more person to turn that into hope.

That’s exactly what one Pennsylvania shelter decided to do when they received a call about 10 tiny dogs dumped on a bridge in the middle of the cold weather.

And now, the shelter employees have something they have never had in all of their 47 years of business – an entirely empty building, with zero pets in need of homes.

The Adams County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reached this extraordinary milestone after one phone call gave them the inspiration they needed this Christmas season.

When they were told about the 10 pups that had been dumped, Abigail Avery, the shelter’s director, described the dogs’ condition when they were found.

They were in terrible condition, with dental disease, ear infections and toenails grown into their feet,” Avery said.

Shelter employees leaped into action, providing necessary medical care, grooming and ensuring they were spayed or neutered.

Brian and Korey Strait with Simon and the couple’s other dog, Gracie, at the Adams County SPCA shelter after they adopted Simon. Photo courtesy of the Adams County SPCA

Then they took to Facebook to show the dogs, and immediately they were adopted. Wanting to keep that momentum going, they set a goal to find homes for the rest of the animals.

“Everyone rallied,” Avery said.

Kelly Flavin said she was moved by the posts. “Two weeks before Christmas, I spotted photos of a little dog named Winston, who had a broken jaw, and I fell in love. His sad little eyes got to me, and I knew I had to help him.” Flavin and her husband, Larry Mahnken, took their dog Beatrice to the shelter to meet Winston, and the couple decided that the dogs would be a good match.

Another family, Korey and Brian Strait, found their new family member through the shelter’s posts. “We went down to meet him and took him home that day,” Korey Strait said.

Simon was our present to each other this year, and we’re thrilled that all of the other dogs found homes, too,” the couple said.

The impact of social media in the adoption process was highlighted by Avery, who shared a secret to their success. “It helps draw people in [to] want to help find them homes,” she said, emphasizing the importance of providing details about how the animals were found and sharing each animal’s story from their point of view.

Staffers at the Adams County SPCA on Dec. 22 after every animal was adopted, leaving the kennels empty. Photo courtesy of the Adams County SPCA

The Adams County SPCA, founded by Roy Thomas over four decades ago, has a rich history of compassionate animal care. Gary Thomas, Roy’s son, shared his father’s passion for giving animals a second chance, stating, “He had a soft heart, and I know he’d be delighted to know the shelter he started was emptied for the first time this year.”

As news of the shelter’s success spread, it garnered attention from various news outlets and sparked interest from animal-rescue workers nationwide. Avery acknowledged the challenges faced by shelters, noting, “There are so many good animals that need homes, but there simply aren’t enough people adopting.”

While celebrating the empty kennels, the Adams County SPCA remains committed to the broader mission. Avery said, “While we’re celebrating our empty kennels, we know the work to save animals continues, and we want to help every one of them that we can.”

And that means filling the kennels once again. “We will be pulling animals from other shelters in PA next week in hopes of relieving some of their stress. Right now, we are going to enjoy this accomplishment,” the shelter posted on Facebook.

Watch below for a look at these amazing people and the dogs they found homes for.

Sources: Washington Post | ABC News