Sweetpea Friends of Rutland Animals, Inc. is a non-profit, no-kill animal rescue devoted to rescuing, nurturing, and finding loving homes for stray, abandoned, and surrendered companion animals in central Massachusetts and beyond. Nestled on the border of Rutland and Paxton, MA, we depend on generous public and corporate donations to return the shelter to operation. When open, we will once again restore animals’ health, update their vaccinations, spay or neuter them, and place them in caring, permanent homes.

Our Story

Founded in September 2000 by Dick Clark—then Rutland’s Animal Control Officer (now retired)—and a group of dedicated citizens, Sweetpea began with a single, transformative rescue. A sick, terrified dog, exploited as a breeding machine, was saved and named Sweetpea. She became the soul of our mission and the inspiration for our logo. We vowed to give her, and every animal we serve, a better life.

Soon after her rescue, Sweetpea gave birth to six puppies, all lost to infection within days. Following a month of intensive care at a local veterinary hospital, she recovered and was adopted by a loving family at Treasure Hunt Farm in Rutland. There, she thrived for years alongside her new family and farm animals until her passing from renal failure on November 11, 2003, at an estimated age of 12 to 14. Sweetpea’s legacy endures, driving our pledge that no animal in our community will be deemed “disposable.”

Our Mission and No-Kill Commitment

Sweetpea upholds a firm no-kill policy: once in our care, no animal is euthanized unless incurably ill or dangerous. Our policy is to provide medical care, boarding, and training for as long as it takes to secure each one a qualified, loving home. Our shelter, initially rented and later purchased through a mortgage, is located on the Rutland-Paxton border.

Overcoming Challenges

In November 2015, a catastrophic fire ravaged our shelter. The office building survived, but the main animal facility was lost. Rebuilding has been a journey marked by obstacles, including:

• A prolonged fire investigation and insurance settlement process
• Inadequate insurance coverage to meet Massachusetts’ updated shelter standards, such as the need for a new septic system
• COVID-19 lockdowns, which halted construction and hampered fundraising

Despite these setbacks, we’ve made remarkable progress:

Your support—through financial gifts, professional services, or donations—is more vital than ever. Every contribution helps sustain our rescue work and rebuild a stable future for the animals we cherish.

Our Leadership

Dick Clark, our founder, remains a guiding force as President Emeritus, ensuring Sweetpea stays true to its roots. Our dedicated leadership team includes:

Officers:

• Deborah Young – President
  Founder of Juno’s Place and longtime animal rescue volunteer
• Sara Meier – Vice President
• Diane Lippolis – Treasurer
• Craig Reise – Secretary
• Patty Reise – Director

Board Advisor:

• Deborah Lindsey, DVM
  Practicing veterinarian

Volunteer With Us

Volunteer opportunities are coming soon—stay tuned for ways to get involved and make a difference!

Support Us

We invite you to support Sweetpea Friends of Rutland Animals with a donation.