About Us
Shelter Pet Safety Net

Our Story

Shelter Pet Safety Net (SPSN) is a 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 2019, devoted to improving the lives of homeless animals in Bastrop County. We began by providing emergency medical care funding for shelter animals. Thanks to public support, we were able to expand our services to subsidize spay and neuter surgeries for Bastrop County pets owned by people in financial need. We provide resources needed by the Bastrop County Animal Shelter, help with shelter-to-rescue transport funding, and support the shelter’s volunteers as well. Our volunteers also provide foster-based rescue for a small number of animals outside the shelter system, reducing the load on the shelter. We changed our name to Shelter Pet Safety Net (from “Bastrop County Animal Shelter Helpers”) in 2021 to avoid confusion with the shelter itself, but our mission is unchanged! We are proud to collaborate with other local humane organizations in order to achieve our goals.

Our Mission

To improve the lives of homeless dogs and cats, and prevent unwanted litters, in Bastrop County, Texas.

Our Vision

Working with the community to make Bastrop County a place where

The county shelter always has room for the intake of animals needing assistance
The shelter can place all its healthy and behaviorally-sound animals into good homes, or with other humane organizations
Sheltered animals live with minimal stress during their stay
Every dog and cat in the county is cared for responsibly

Who We Serve

Why Donors Choose Us:

100% Local Focus

Every dollar supports animals from Bastrop County

100% Volunteer-Run

No paid staff means maximum impact

Collaborative Approach

We work with the county shelter and other local organizations

Transparent Operations

See exactly how your donation helps

Flexible Giving

We honor specific donor requests to the best of our ability

Hear What Our Partners at the Bastrop County Animal Shelter Have to Say About SPSN

Key Points About Us

100% volunteer-run by leaders with financial acumen

The only local group funding care for both dogs and cats at the Bastrop County Animal Shelter

Our scope is limited to Bastrop County animals by our Bylaws

100% dependent on donations from the public and no government funding.

Public Charity with 501(c)(3) status, independent of the shelter

We work in concert with other local charities who support our mission

A good home for every dog or cat in Bastrop County!

We believe the best way to achieve this is through a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of pet homelessness while providing compassionate care for animals already in need.

How We Help Save Lives: Our Three Objectives

Low Cost Spay and Neuter Financial Assistance

Our spay and neuter partnerships help financially-disadvantaged pet owners access affordable sterilization services. We’ve prevented tens of thousands of unwanted pets from requiring shelter assistance through our spay and neuter certificate program.

Our Rescue Program

The program is foster-based and keeps the animals from needing to enter the county shelter. We have also been able to assist with other shelter-diversion opportunities that help people keep their pets.

Life-Saving Treatment

When sick or injured cats and dogs arrive at the county shelter, we can quickly fund their medical care through our pet rescue program. We have helped hundreds of animals get a second chance.

Help for Shelter personnel

We buy medical equipment (autoclaves, microscopes, ultrasound, air purifiers), kennel improvements, neonatal puppy and kitten supplies, and more. These much-needed items enhance what the limited county budget provides for the shelter.

Enrichment for Shelter Animals

We have upgraded play yards, purchased toys and treats, and sponsored training to relieve the stress of confinement.

Volunteer Support

Fostering is crucial for saving lives, but it can get expensive. That’s why we have a program to send needed food and supplies directly to shelter foster volunteers. We even sponsor recognition for outstanding shelter volunteers!

Finding Forever Homes

Getting Pets Home Where They Belong – Homeless animals need opportunities to be seen at adoption events and on social media, because out of sight is out of mind. Sometimes, they need a ride or even a flight to another location where adopters are waiting. We help with all of these things!

Our Dedicated Board of Directors

Jenni Ritchie

Jenni has volunteered with animal welfare organizations for over 20 years, including fostering, adoption counseling, organizing capital projects and events, and feeding baby songbirds. She is also a Crisis Counselor with Crisis Text Line.

Jenni volunteers as a foster home for the Bastrop County shelter and for Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society.

After retiring from a 33-year career managing information technology across the globe, she now works as a Realtor with Realty ONE Group Prosper.

Jenni graduated from the University of Houston with a BBA in Management Information Systems and an MBA with a concentration in Finance.

Terry Gummelt

Terry has worked and volunteered for various animal welfare organizations over 30 years. She has held the following positions: Austin Golden Retriever Western Regional Dog Show Chairman, Lost Pines Riding Club Parade Chairman and Secretary of the Bastrop Equine Search and Rescue. In addition to volunteering at Bastrop County Animal Shelter, where she walks dogs, instructs volunteer orientation classes, attends adoption events, and organizes dog training classes, she also fosters and trains dogs from the shelter.

Currently, she is an Elgin I.S.D. substitute teacher, after retiring from a 30 years of teaching career.

Terry graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BS in Education and holds certificates in Pre-k/Kindergarten with English as a second language and Special Education.

Erika McDonald

Erika, a lover of animals in all shapes and sizes, has volunteered with the Bastrop County Animal Shelter for the past five years in a foster capacity. Erika also regularly volunteers for Bastrop Cats TNR Program trapping stray and free-roaming cats for spay and neuter services.

She also serves as the Treasurer on her neighborhood’s POA Board, Registrar for the local Youth Soccer Organization and as Secretary for the Capitol Area Youth Soccer Association.

Erika graduated from Lamar University in Beaumont, TX with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and provides administration and finance services for a variety of businesses in a variety of industries in the area.

Kari Boakes

Kari Boakes has worked in the dental field for over 20 years, and currently uses her skills as a dental hygienist in Austin. She has a love for all animals and maintains a farm in Bastrop County with her husband, Dennis.

Their family of equines, dogs, and cats is supplemented by fosters of all those species. Kari has volunteered with animals for over 15 years. She rescues, fosters, reviews adopter applications and performs adoption counseling.

In addition to her work with Shelter Pet Safety Net, she is the Adoption Counselor and Applications Manager for Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society, where she’s been volunteering since 2018.

Shelter Pet Safety Net Loves to Hear From Leaders Who’d Be Interested in Joining Our Board and Helping to Carry On Our Mission

If animal welfare is your passion, contact us!

For legal and financial documentation, Visit :

Our Impact Through Community Support

We have been able to expand our services and help more animals through our spay and neuter subsidy programs, purchasing medical equipment and other supplies for the county shelter, funding transportation for shelter animals, providing supplies for foster homes, obtaining grooming services for shelter animals, and more.

Contact Us

For spay and neuter program details: