The Kenai Peninsula Animal Lovers Rescue, also known as KPAL, is a collective of volunteers working daily to help connect stray, abused, neglected, or otherwise abandoned animals with forever homes where they can enjoy the love and companionship they deserve.

They also aim to reduce the number of unwanted litters on the peninsula by ensuring that animals leaving the rescue are spayed and neutered.

Kelly Griebel, Vice President of KPAL: “We needed somewhere that would go in and rescue the mama dog with all her puppies when the owner doesn’t want to take care of them, or can’t take care of them, or whatever situation it is. We go in, with the owners permission, they have to sign the animals over to us. We take in these animals and get them old enough and socialized until they can be fixed and get their shots. Then we take applications and interview families to place them in the perfect homes.”

According to the group’s website, the first step is to complete an application, which can be found on KPAL’s website. Next, they conduct a VeriScreen background check which costs the applicant $14. A visit to the prospective new forever home comes next, with one of KPAL’s expert animal-lovers seeing the animal’s living quarters, having a face-to-face conversation, and pointing out potential dangers for the animal. Things get exciting once that step is completed when the selection process takes place, where KPAL works to find the best fit for each adopting home. Finally, the adoption becomes official with the signing of an adoption contract and remittance of an adoption fee.

While it is an extensive process compared to some shelters, KPAL’s goal is ensuring that each animal is going to a home where they can thrive in a long, rewarding life, for both the pet and the adopting family.

KPAL’s work is not limited to the immediate care they offer to animals, however. Last year, with the support of the rescue, the Soldotna City Council passed an ordinance to provide further clarification on the requirements for adequate animal control and would expand prohibited actions which classify as cruelty to animals.

Anyone in the peninsula interested in adopting, or those not looking to adopt immediately but interested in helping their cause, call the rescue at 907-953-1449 or visit their website.