(bright music) - Hi, I'm Karen Kalunian, and today, we're gonna talk about the mission at the Potter League.

So today, we're here at the Potter League in Middletown with Kara Montalbano, and she's gonna talk to us a little bit about the mission statement that they have here, and some of the work that they do, which is completely amazing, Kara, and thank you, first of all, for doing everything.

I know you're like the jack of all trades here, although you're the director of communications and marketing.

Tell us a little bit about the Potter League, a slight bit of the history, and what you do here.

- Sure, so we were founded in 1929 by three women.

- Just a few days ago, huh?

- Yep, a few days ago.

So we've been around quite a bit and we've had different transitions and where we are today is our third rendition of our shelter.

And as I was kinda talking about, it's a lead certified building so it's very environmentally friendly, which is very cool, and to walk around and see all the different elements.

- And this big beautiful room here that we're in the training area.

And you use it for lots of different reasons here.

- Yep, so part of what we do here, our mission and goal is always to obviously help animals, but also help the people.

So we offer training classes, we offer different programs and services that include different ways to help people keep their pets in the homes where they're loved.

We don't wanna take in every animal if we can help in a different way.

- Which is so important, and I'm glad that you mentioned that because I am seeing it right now, and I'm sure that you are here too, at the Potter League.

So many people are having either financial difficulties, or emergency situations, or deaths in the family, and they don't have any place to turn.

And I know that's a huge part of what you do here.

- Yeah, so we kind of say as the heart of a humane community and that extends to people.

Part of what we do is helping people help their animals, which is very important because they love them.

They wanna do what's best for them, and sometimes, like we're saying, right now, we're seeing a lot of issues financially.

So if we can help keep them in their homes, be it our shelter opportunities and services, our low cost veterinary clinic.

- [Karen] Food - Food, food pantry, our spay neuter clinic that... - [Karen] Medical care, all of those things.

- So a lot of the programs and services are very focused and people-centric to help animals, which is very important to us, so.

- And if anyone wants to visit the facility, you're open throughout.

- Seven days a week.

- Seven days a week!

Wow, you're one of the few shelters that's open seven days a week.

And I know just to come and just walk through the facility is amazing.

So I just wanna thank you again for having us here today.

- Of course, thanks for picking us.

- Appreciate, appreciate all the work that you do here at the Potter League.

- Thank you.

- [Karen] To watch more videos like this, visit ripbs.org/animaltalk.