Glenwood Shelter a Refuge for Animals

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GLENWOOD, IOWA (KPTM) -- Affording a pet is getting tougher for a lot of people in this economy. But help isn't too far away. Some local animal lovers are accepting them with open arms.

Every animal at Hooves and Paws Rescue has a name and it's own story of survival. "We've had them beat in the face with boards, we've got broken pelvises, we've got cancer, and we've got a lot of neglect and starvation," said owner Genea Stoops.

Bill and Genea Stoops run the shelter in rural Glenwood, Iowa. They take in horses and large breed dogs from around the country. They're animals in need of rehabilitation and maybe someday, a loving new home. "I just enjoy doing it and you need to for all the time that's spent out here. You need to enjoy this and just hoping to find homes for them when they're able is great," said Bill Stoops.

But lately the Stoopses say fewer people are willing to take the animals in and they're seeing a larger number of people turning to them for help. "A lot of people are giving up their animals. And it's not because they don't love them or anything, but it's either feed your family or feed your animals," Genea said.

Running the operation takes a lot of money, love and hard work. "It's get up at three thirty, making sure they're fed, watered, get ready for work and when we get back home around five, do it all over again," Bill said.

But the couple says it's worth it. They do whatever they can to make sure no needy animal is turned away. "If they're here for a day, you get a personal connection with any animal," Bill said.

Hooves and Paws Rescue is a non-profit organization that relies on donations and volunteers. For more information, visit www.hoovespaws.org or call (712) 527-3721.