Our Mission:
The Targhee Animal Shelter works to improve the welfare of all animals in Teton County by promoting humane care and treatment, while temporarily housing those in need until they can be adopted out to a permanent home.
Success Stories
"Buddy" AKA my little maggot


Buddy came to the animal shelter on 3-16-2007. He was a very shy dog at first (I think that is code for hyper). He was very sad when his owners had to leave him there. I walked by the viewing window and saw him watching me through his cage. I instantly felt sorry for him. I went into his cage and sat down. He stood in the back of the cage and really didnt want to come to me. I stayed there a little longer and soon he was sitting in my lap ( I thought to myself he will be a great dog for someone someday). A few weeks later he went to his first home and came back, then to his next home and back, to another home and back, then to a foster home and back. He just couldnt make the right connection. I always knew I had a connection with him but I just was having a hard time taking another animal into my life. You see I was the director of the shelter and I always had animals coming in and out of my home as I got them ready for adoption. I already owned 4 of my own dogs and not sure on having a 5th. I had brought Buddy home a few times and he always did really well I never could understand why his adoptions never worked.  One day I left work and one of the workers called me and said they couldn't find Buddy I went back out to the shelter and he was no where to be found. I searched and searched for him but no sign. I finally decided to drive back home and on my way there sure enough there was Buddy following me home. I cried I was so happy to see him and no harm had come to him, but still he hadn't convinced me that he was supposed to be mine. Later that fall I decided to move to Denver Colorado for a new career.  It has now been 10 months since I moved and I came back to the shelter and there he was still waiting for me to come get him. Well he doesn't have to wait any longer he came home to live with me in Colorado and I am sure he will be a great addtion to my family and my life! Welcome home Buddy AKA my little maggot who has infested my heart and soul.

Michelle O'Neal- President TAS


The Adventures of Rodeo 

On a gloomy Saturday afternoon in November 1998, the Hollingsworth family and a

3 month old border collie/blue heeler puppy named “Joker” found each other at the Teton Valley Humane Society. Life would never again be the same for any of them.

Before he even left the shelter he would be dubbed “Rodeo” in reference to his being abandoned with his brother at the Driggs rodeo grounds. Rodeo quickly became the number one fan of his big brother, Bailey, the Hollingsworth’s 11 year-old Australian Shepherd, adopted from the Phoenix Humane Society in 1990. Bailey was not equally enthusiastic, but the two soon became inseparable.

It was immediately clear that this little dog was incredibly intelligent, and possessed tons of charisma. Misty soon became accustomed to the sight of a crowd surrounding her truck, entranced with the young Rodeo, whenever she came out of the post office or grocery store. Today however, Rodeo is quite protective of his truck when his family isn’t in it. So if you see him waiting patiently for his “mom” he will show you his protective side if you get too close to the window.

Only weeks later, on New Year’s Day 1999, these two dogs, who had been abandoned by previous owners, saved Rick Hollingsworth’s life, by whining, barking, and scratching at the door to alert Misty that Rick was unconscious. Rick was only minutes from certain death, from a previously undetected tumor. Without Rodeo and Bailey’s life-saving actions Rick would not be here today. For the next two years, Rick cooked pancakes for “the boys” every morning – even if no one else in the family was having pancakes!

Rodeo was soon a favorite attraction at Jackson Signs, where he is employed as “Chief Executive Shop Dog” in charge of Security and Customer Appreciation.

Rodeo and Shelby, his human sister, have become a highly successful team in Agility with the Grand Teton Kennel Club, and 4H Pet Partners. Last summer at the Teton County Fair, Shelby & Rodeo took home Grand Champion in 4H Obedience, and Reserve Grand Champion in 4H Showmanship.

Rodeo has learned a number of entertaining tricks, and generally only requires about 10 to 25 repetitions to learn a new trick. He has won “Best Trick” in several pet trick contests. You may have seen Rodeo in last year’s television commercials for Valley Feed & Pet’s Tent Sale. On cue, he leaps up from a snooze on the couch, runs to the truck with his pals and “drives” to the annual tent sale.

All in all, Rodeo and his family are proud to be an example of one of the many successful adoptions that have been made possible by the Teton Valley Humane Society.

A Happy Ending

King was found in Victor, Idaho in February 2002. He was a little worn and tired but otherwise in good shape. After spending a few days at the shelter we realized that he had to be someone's pet. We placed him in the Teton Valley News, in our found ad with this picture. It was not even an hour into our workday when we received a phone call. "I think the cat in your ad may be mine," the lady stated. After talking to the woman for a few minutes, we didn't feel that the cat could be hers. After all, her cat was missing from literally the other end of the valley. We advised her that it would be best to just come out and take a look at the cat. A few hours later she came out and identified the cat as hers. No one could believe it because of the great distance the cat had traveled and because the cat had been missing since September 2001.

King is now back at his home after his 5-month journey. Owner and cat are happy to be back together at long last!

This is the story of Brenda. She has been the best dog I have ever owned. She just does no wrong. I adopted her from the Teton Valley Humane Society after I had started to work there. She came back with all the other pets that were rescued after Hurricane Katrina. She just pulled at my heart strings as she was suffering from a mange she contracted from her mom. Her eyes just looked so sorrowful and It was love at first sight! She is my best buddy. She is the most loyal friend anyone could ask for. She does not leave my side. She loves to help when I take newborn kittens home to take care of when they don't have a mommy. Brenda steps in and helps out. Everyone that comes to the shelter loves Brenda. She greets new visitors and always loves to get a pet on the head! I love you Brenda with all my heart! MOM
A TRUE NO-KILL SHELTER
Hello to everyone at the Targhee Animal Shelter!


Just wanted to let you all know how Petey is adjusting to his new home in Montana!  We've already taken him up on our favorite trails around here, he loves going up in the mountains, and gets equally excited for car rides!  He's been very well-behaved in the house too.  He hasn't chewed anything up or made any messes!  He's friendly and playful with all of the people and other dogs in our neighborhood, everyone around here just loves him!  We both are having a great time with him! Thanks for letting him be a part of our home!
ACE

As usual, my mom had a few dogs that were camping over. They are all wonderful in their own way, but little Ace has a more unusual story: he's a Katrina survivor. He was rescued as a puppy and taken with many other pets to the Teton Valley Humane Society in Driggs, Idaho. Despite being part of such a large group and having to wait so long for adoption, Ace has a lovely temperament and the folks who cared for him obviously worked with him on basic commands, socialization, crating, being good on a leash, and all of those things. His new mom (he was just adopted a couple of weeks ago) has also been very dedicated. Like many who have been moved around between caregivers, he is not as indiscriminately affectionate as most dogs are, but takes a little time to warm up to the people around him. It makes you feel like a worthy person when, after some evaluation, he decides you're ok.