There are some new dogs on the block at 211 W. Monroe St.
Volunteers, animal foster families and community members were invited to see the new Audrain Pet Pals location that opened in August …
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There are some new dogs on the block at 211 W. Monroe St.
Volunteers, animal foster families and community members were invited to see the new Audrain Pet Pals location that opened in August 2025, join them for cake and refreshments and meet some of the pets available for adoption at their anniversary party Sunday.
And State Farm agent Nancy Baca also stopped by to present her $500 donation to Pet Pals.
Baca approached the Audrain Humane Society and Pet Pals at their booth at the Soybean Festival in August, shortly after they got the new location.
“I was really excited, and they had an open house that day,” Baca said. “Marilyn gave me a tour and talked to me about everything that they’ve been doing here, some of the services they offer and some of the needs that they have.”
Audrain Humane Society Board President Marilyn Niekamp mentioned they would need a grooming tub and Baca, who has two rescue pets herself, said all she needed to know was “how much.”
“Giving pets second chances is near and dear to me,” Baca said.
The promise of Baca’s donation allowed Pet Pals to install the brand-new grooming tub while Pet Pals continues to update the space to meet its needs.
Audrain Pet Pals was launched two years ago by the Audrain Humane Society. None of the pets are kept at the new location as they stay with foster families.
Audrain Humane Society has been around for more than 50 years and never had a building.
“I think things are really going to expand for us and we’ll be able to do more,” Niekamp said.
When you walk in, Pet Pals has all the adoptable pets on display, as well as ways for the community to get involved with the humane society and the animal shelter. Pet Pals also has a small retail section and a meeting area for the Audrain Humane Society Board of Directors.
In the back, Pet Pals has
set up a medical room where board member and veterinary technician Abby Laureti can administer vaccinations, fluids and basic care for the animals before they go to their foster home.
What was once the Painted Heifer workshop has been transformed into a multipurpose room that includes office space, the grooming tub, and storage for anything a pet could need, from leashes and collars to toys and food.
It’s still a work in progress, but Niekamp said the community has been incredibly supportive.
