Nestled on the outskirts of Papillion, Town and Country Animal Rescue has been providing refuge for animals for more than 40 years. The organization has quietly gone about its work providing shelter, care, and a second chance to dogs and cats that have been neglected, surrendered, or left without homes.
“For the organization’s first 35 years, Town and Country was run entirely by volunteers,” said Angela Heim, Executive Director for Town and Country Animal Rescue. “And although we still rely on the hard work and commitment provided by more than 100 volunteers, we are fortunate now that we can also pay a small staff.”
Heim said Town and Country, a no-kill shelter and a nonprofit 501(c)(3), receives no city or state funding and relies entirely upon the generosity of donors.
Over the years, the rescue has become a place of hope – a haven where dogs and cats who had nowhere else to go receive care, comfort and a chance at a new life with a new family.
Heim has worked in the nonprofit sector throughout her career. When she arrived at Town and Country about a year ago, she brought a heart for those who had been abandoned or displaced and a determination to help them find a second chance.
That second chance extends beyond rescue, foster, and adoption. It also means providing them with safe, modern facilities during their stay. Several buildings on the three-acre campus are showing their age and need replacement. With that in mind, a campaign was launched to build a new dog kennel. This project represents an investment not only in the shelter’s infrastructure but also in the well-being of the animals it serves. Currently, Town and Country is caring for more than 60 cats and dogs – some on campus and many in volunteer-based foster care. The new space will provide 22 new kennels on site, offering both comfortable indoor space and outdoor running space for the dogs. With work underway, Heim said the new space for the dogs is expected to be ready by early 2027.
The shelter’s success, however, is about more than buildings. It is powered by the organization’s greatest asset – its volunteers. Every day, they perform countless tasks providing care, comfort, and companionship to animals awaiting a second chance.
“Our volunteers are the heart of our association,” Heim said.
Most of the organization’s programs are available through the generosity of volunteers and donors. Those programs include Compassionate Care visits, which highlight the power of the human-animal bond that supports mental health, a pet food pantry, and Vets for Pets.
Heim said in addition to sheltering animals, the organization also provides temporary pet boarding services for families in need of short-term placement.
Heim said every animal that comes through the doors of Town and Country has a unique story, but they all have one thing in common - they deserve a second chance. Helping animals find loving homes makes the work all worthwhile. And as she reflected on the shelter’s mission, Heim said, “We don’t just rescue pets. They rescue us right back.”