Podcast Summary: Post Reports – “How to save an animal shelter: ‘If you care about something just do it’”

Date: October 11, 2025
Host: Maggie Penman
Guest: Sydney Page, Reporter for The Optimist
Featured Story: Courtney Proctor Cross and the transformation of the Huntington, West Virginia animal shelter

Episode Overview

This episode of Post Reports Weekend spotlights a powerful story of community-driven change, hope, and animal advocacy. Host Maggie Penman is joined by Washington Post reporter Sydney Page to discuss the incredible work of Courtney Proctor Cross, a former elementary school teacher who transformed a struggling, high-kill animal shelter in Huntington, West Virginia, into a no-kill haven where 90% of animals now find homes. Through Courtney’s journey, the episode explores themes of resilience, grassroots activism, and the enduring impact one person can have—offering listeners a roadmap for making a difference in their own communities.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Genesis of the Story

• How the Story Emerged
  • Sydney Page learned about Courtney from a reader in Huntington who had adopted a dog from the shelter and witnessed its transformation first-hand. (02:37)
  • The story resonated because Courtney’s impact was not just on animals, but on people and the community’s outlook as well.

“We have to write a profile about this woman who has extraordinary work in the community and who has completely transformed the shelter.”
— Sydney Page (02:39)

Courtney’s Background and Motivation

• Childhood Loss and Animal Connections
  • Courtney lost both her parents in a plane crash at age six, a tragedy that shaped her resilience and her lifelong bond with animals. (03:13)
  • Her parents were animal lovers, and she grew up surrounded by pets—including a buffalo. (03:25)

“I've always felt like my love for animals came from both of them.”
— Courtney Proctor Cross (03:25)

• Career Before the Shelter
  • Courtney taught elementary school for years and volunteered with local animal rescues, giving her visibility into the systemic issues at the shelter. (04:21)

The State of the Shelter Pre-Transformation

• Harsh Reality
  • Before Courtney took charge in 2018, 50–75% of animals at the shelter were euthanized due to lack of space and resources. (05:15)
  • The shelter’s garage was sweltering, crowded, filled with trash, and cage after cage of animals awaiting euthanasia. (05:25)
  • Many healthy, adoptable animals were lost due to underfunding and lack of community engagement.

“There were so many animals in there… they didn't have food, water, litter boxes, nothing. They were literally sitting there waiting to be euthanized.”
— Courtney Proctor Cross (05:25)

• A Memorable First Night
  • Courtney’s first act as director was to rally rescue partners to care for the animals—an exhausting, emotional night that set the tone for her leadership. (05:25–07:30)
  • Personal story: A dog found in a desperate state was eventually rehabilitated and adopted, and now visits the shelter regularly. (07:30)

Challenges Leading to the Crisis

• Chronic underfunding, staff burnout, and viewing euthanasia as the “easiest and cheapest” solution drove the shelter’s decline. (07:39–08:36)
• Overcrowding persists as an ongoing issue.

“The real tragedy is that so many of these animals were adoptable and were healthy and were fit to be great pets.”
— Sydney Page (08:02)

Courtney’s Path to Transformation

• Leadership and Community Building
  • Demanded more government funding and started a nonprofit to exclusively support the shelter’s needs. (10:45–10:57)
  • Leveraged grants, social media, and widespread fundraising to involve the community.

“Whatever anyone can do is what I want them to do… Some people can come walk one dog. Some people will foster. Some people will… provide financial support. It all adds up and all helps.”
— Courtney Proctor Cross (11:05)

• Personal Sacrifices
  • Courtney dedicated nearly every day to the shelter—joking that she survived on breakfast bars and lost 15 pounds in the process. (11:40)

Lessons in Action

• On Creating Change
  • The main takeaway: Don’t wait for perfect circumstances; just start acting if you care about an issue. (12:11)

“If you care about something, just do it. Just start. Just try.”
— Sydney Page (12:11)

Looking Forward: Hopes and Next Steps

• Shelter’s Future
  • Courtney hopes to expand and renovate the facility, aiming for more space, light, and capacity for animals. (12:48)
  • She dreams of sustaining the no-kill standard and balancing her family life, especially as a new grandmother. (13:26)

“I just really want to keep things moving forward. This has been a very life-consuming endeavor… I want to free up, you know, a little bit of time…”
— Courtney Proctor Cross (13:26)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Resilience and Motivation

  • “I think she's an unbelievably resilient person.”
    — Sydney Page (03:13)

• On Community Involvement

  • “So many people just had the attitude, you know, I love animals. I don't want to see them suffer. We need to do better.”
    — Courtney Proctor Cross (11:05)

• On the Impact of Small Actions

  • “Whatever anyone can do is what I want them to do and welcome them to do.”
    — Courtney Proctor Cross (11:05)

• On Hopeful Stories

  • “It feels impossible to think about solving [these problems]. So do you think there's a takeaway here?”
    — Maggie Penman (11:52)
  • “If you care about something, just do it. Just start. Just try.”
    — Sydney Page (12:11)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–01:10: Introduction, introducing Sydney Page
• 02:37: Discovery of Courtney’s story
• 03:13–03:53: Courtney’s childhood, parents, and early animal bonds
• 04:21: Professional and personal background of Courtney
• 05:25–07:30: Describing the shelter’s dire situation and her first night
• 07:39–08:36: Discussion of root causes—underfunding and systemic neglect
• 10:45–11:40: Strategies Courtney used to turn the shelter around
• 12:11: Takeaways on community action and initiating change
• 12:48–13:26: Courtney’s hopes for the future and ongoing challenges

Episode Tone and Takeaway

Throughout the conversation, both Maggie and Sydney maintain an optimistic, warm tone—focusing on the redemptive power of individual action, the potential in community mobilization, and unwavering compassion for animals. Courtney’s story stands as a testament to the idea that one person's determination can spark widespread change, even in the face of deep-seated adversity.

For listeners seeking hope, inspiration, or practical insight into grassroots change, this episode offers a moving roadmap—and a reminder that sometimes, “if you care about something, just do it.”