Credit: Maddie Zajac

WSPN’s Maddie Zajac and Addison Voight visit Buddy Dog humane center in Sudbury. Buddy dog saves animals from abuse and neglect and takes care of them until they are adopted. “We are a no-kill facility,” staff member Kathy Wozniak said. “[Animals are] here until they find their match.”

Buddy Dog Humane Society has been around for more than 60 years, rescuing dogs and cats from neglect and abuse. This small, non-profit organization collects and saves unwanted dogs and cats from all over the world, including South Carolina, Puerto Rico and New York City. They have also even worked with Qatar and Russia in the past.

Buddy Dog has been stationed in Sudbury for several years, where animals stay while awaiting their new homes. The organization helps animals from all around the world, saving them from off the streets or from neglectful owners. They take pride in taking care of their animals and, in the words of their official mission, “facilitating the placement of stray, homeless and unwanted dogs and cats as pets in suitable homes”

“Sometimes one of the best things to do is come in and find out that one of your favorites is not there because they’ve been placed,” staff member Kathy Wozniak said. “We are a no-kill facility. [Animals are] here until they find their match.”

Wozniak has been working for Buddy Dog for 25 years and has been involved with the program since 1991.

Buddy Dog was first created when a German Shepard puppy was found at the dump in 1961. Sudbury and Wayland residents gathered to create a society where stranded dogs can live and be taken care of. Several of the staff members at Buddy Dog find joy and gratification in saving and healing animals.

“They can be very nervous when they first meet people, very wary of new environments [and] situations,” staff member Michale Radulski said. “But if you just give them time and patience, they come out of their shell and they become amazing pets.”

Radulski has been working at Buddy Dog for the past 15 years and started volunteering when she was in high school in 2008.

“Finding [animals] a good home to live in is just very rewarding,” Radulski said.

For people who are curious about ways to support this local business, there are several different ways to help out. Buddy Dog allows people aged 15 years old or older to volunteer, but they encourage underage children to support their business through fundraising as well.

“You don’t even have to spend any money to make a donation, you can clean out your old towels or bring us your newspaper that you’re done reading,” Wozniak said. “There’s a lot of things that you can just pass off.”

Sudbury resident Lisa Davis is one of the several volunteers at Buddy Dog. Davis volunteers in the cat room once a week.

“Coming in and finding out like your favorite cat has finally found their home just makes you feel really good,” Davis said.

For those who may be thinking about adopting a dog or cat, Buddy Dog has about eight cats and 20 dogs waiting to be adopted right now. Buddy Dog encourages people to take a minute to consider adopting from Buddy Dog to give an animal a better life.

“They’re gonna make your life so much better than what it was before,” Davis said. “I say it every day, the best part of my week is coming in on Friday to see [the cats].”