Back in 2001 when Sammie’s Friends co-founder Cheryl Wicks first came to Nevada County she was the first volunteer worker at the Nevada County Animal Shelter, and discovered 68 percent of the animals in the shelter were being euthanized because of lack of space and lack of funds to treat their medical conditions.
click here to listen to Cheryl Wicks

The program grew to 100 volunteers and by 2004 Sammie’s Friends animal rescue was being formed.

click here to listen to Cheryl Wicks

In 2010 Sammie’s Friends took over operation of the animal shelter under contract with  Nevada County, and within one year the euthanasia  rate at the shelter was down to 8/10th’s percent. Now it is a national model as a no Kill Shelter. Wicks says the programs they started help people keep their pets.

click here to listen to Cheryl Wicks

This Saturday, August 2, Sammie’s Friends is celebrating 10 years of serving animals and their owners in the community with an open house at the Shelter at 14647 McCourtney Road, about 3 miles past the fairgrounds.

click here to listen to Cheryl Wicks

Culture Shock will be there making yogurts and they will also have hot dogs soda’s and pulled pork sandwiches and brownies. The Sammie’s Friends Open House is from noon to 4pm Aug. 2.