Bridges started the facility late last year, prompted by the continued practice by motorists of the illegal act of abandoning dogs near her property, which is outside of Willisville.
“Everywhere I turned, it was puppies. There were dumped dogs. Nevada County has an issue,” she said.
The turning point came when Bridges and her husband spotted a puppy along Highway 371. The dog was severely underweight, with its backbone visible.
“I turned around and picked up the dog,” she said. After several weeks of feeding and socialization with people, Bridges said, “now she’s the most beautiful, fun dog.” Indeed, it appeared to be thriving and happy as this reporter snapped photos of her playing with Bridges’ granddaughter Anastasia.
That rescue, and many others like it, led Bridges to open the shelter on her property, where she now houses dogs rescued from across Nevada County and neighboring areas. The shelter takes in dogs of all sizes and breeds, many of them abandoned, injured or born to stray mothers.
“I’ll take in anything, truthfully — dog, cat, duck,” Bridges said. “I’m not going to let it be hurt.”
Many of the dogs arrive frightened and unhandled, Bridges said, requiring weeks of care before they are ready for adoption. Puppies are quarantined for several weeks to monitor their health and build immunity before vaccinations begin.
“People don’t realize we’re giving live viruses when we give shots,” she said. “There’s always a chance you can lose some.”
Veterinary care is one of the shelter’s largest expenses, particularly when dogs arrive sick. Bridges described treating an entire litter that came in with parvo, a highly contagious and often fatal disease.
“Within a week of me bringing them home, they were dying on me,” she said. “I paid for all their treatment.”
Under Arkansas law, dogs adopted from the shelter must be spayed or neutered and placed on heartworm and flea prevention. Bridges said she ensures those requirements are met before any dog leaves her care.
“I make sure they’re fed. I make sure they have their shots,” she said. “For me to adopt out a dog, it has to be fixed.”
Adoptions are handled directly through the shelter, with Bridges working closely with adopters to ensure dogs are placed in safe, permanent homes. In some cases, dogs are fostered until they are healthy enough for adoption.
While the shelter has received help from organizations such as Columbia County Animal Protection Society of Magnolia and individual donors, Bridges said ongoing support is critical to keeping the operation running. Food, veterinary care and building materials are constant needs. But she also takes donations of bags of dog food, too. Volunteers are also welcome.
Bridges said she hopes to eventually build more permanent shelter structures, including covered or enclosed kennels, but progress comes slowly.
“A lot of shelters start just like I’m doing — a little at a time,” she said.
Education, Bridges said, is the long‑term solution to the problem of dumped animals. She advocates for spaying and neutering pets and teaching responsible ownership at an early age.
“It isn’t just spay and neuter. It’s education,” she said. “We’ve got to start with kids.”
Despite the challenges, Bridges said she remains committed to the work.
“These dogs have no voice,” she said. “Somebody’s got to stand up.”
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