BUTLER, Ala. — Thirteen is a lucky number for dogs at the shelter here who were running out of time.

    Thanks to the efforts of volunteers from Paws for Hope and Faith; and SouthBark, 13 dogs in danger of being euthanized received pardons from Mayor Mike Williams and Chief of Police Jimmy Huckabea on Monday.

    “It’s easy for me to sign a piece of paper but you all actually do the hard work,” Williams said after he and Huckabea signed the pardons.

    Both SouthBark, based in Mobile, Ala., and Paws for Hope and Faith, based in Macon, Ga.; have pledged assistance to the town to help find homes for the dogs. The volunteer groups do not have shelters, but they work to find homes for dogs through their own system of networking.

    Shane Smith, Paws for Hope and Faith, president, said they travel to different towns to help shelters save the animals.

    “Our goal is to get them all out with nobody left behind,” Smith said.

    They are careful to choose the right home for the dog, Smith said.

    “Everybody is checked out really well,” Smith said. “Some of them could possibly go to Toronto, Canada. Some of them could go to 20 miles from here. It’s not a first-come, first-served basis, it’s the best home.”

    Dusty Feller of SouthBark said they use various approaches to finding good homes.

    “We use Facebook and all kinds of different outlets to network animals already. We have a great fan base. Our in-state fan base can help too with foster homes and vetting,” Feller said.

    Erika Putman, community liaison for the town of Butler, volunteered at the shelter prior to going to work for the town. She became concerned about the possibility of having to euthanize the dogs and the emotional toll that long-term shelter confinement has on the animals.

    She called Paws for Hope and Faith on Thursday and by Friday night, had plans set up for them to arrive Monday to help.

    “We are very thankful that they agreed to come in and help such as small shelter,” Putman said.     “We’re looking forward to, not just this week and getting these dogs out, but the partnership that it will provide us when we get dogs coming in the future, to get them out as soon as possible.”

    Williams said the shelter can hold up to 13 dogs. All of those presently at the shelter have been pardoned. The shelter hasn’t had to euthanize since November, Williams said.

    “The new town council has been helpful and they have been patient with me on this,” Williams said.

    Williams said the town of Butler, because its population is approximately 2,000, does not have to have an animal shelter. It is required of Alabama towns with populations of 5,000 and greater, he said.

    But since they do have a shelter, they want to make sure it operates correctly.

    For more information, on Paws for Hope and Faith, call 478-262-6875; for more information on SouthBark, go to: adopt@saveasoutherndog.com. The number for the Butler animal shelter is 205-604-8243.