Thanks to the heroic efforts of one Monticello woman, the life stories of nearly 10,000 dogs can be written with happy endings.

Cheryl Adams, founder and heartbeat of Homeward Bound Dog Rescue, has been changing the luck of ownerless dogs for 13 years, finding families for canine unfortunates through a wide network of supportive professionals and volunteers.

"We feel that the animals are the innocents in these situations," said Adams. "It wasn't their choice to be abandoned or to be born into unwanted litters. They need us to be in their corner for them. If we can step up and make a difference in their lives, we will."

In an average week, Adams will match 20 dogs with caring families; in an average month, she orchestrates 80-100 pet adoptions.

These pooch-and-pet owner pairings take place at area Petco stores on a rotating basis, every Saturday, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

The weekly event makes for a raucous meet and greet, as dozens of dogs-and a sizeable assortment of cats, as well-vie for the attention of human visitors.

Prospective pet owners, old and young, circle a collection of kennels near the back of the store, assessing each animal for its companionship quotient, searching each soulful stare for indications of destiny, or at least, of genuine mutual attraction. The dogs are of every shape and color, some assertive, others passive; each with a name, short description and adoption fee tacked to its cage.

Prospective pet owners are encouraged to spend one-on-one time with the animals before making a decision, and hopeful hounds pull aspiring adopters up and down the aisles, reveling in the attention of friendly strangers.

In the interest of ensuring permanent and happy relationships, Adams and her volunteers strive to match the dogs with the lifestyles and expectations of potential adopters. Many of those volunteers provide foster care for pets-in-waiting and at the adoptions, supply prospective pet owners with firsthand information about an animal's history, personality and behavior.

The dogs do not go for bargain-basement prices: Adoption fees are usually in the $200 range. Each dog up for adoption has been dewormed and checked for heartworm. Each has been vaccinated for distemper-hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus, coronavirus and rabies. Cats have been vaccinated for distemper, rhinotracheitis, Chlamydia, psittaci combination and feline leukemia. Adoption fees also help to cover ongoing expenses such as food, shampoo, leashes, collars, crates, brushes and dog treats

"We do take payments," said Adams's daughter, Katie, who has grown up helping her mother to place homeless pets. "We never turn people away. We're dedicated to working with people to find good homes for dogs."

And all puppies and cats over the age of six months have been spayed or neutered.

"We are huge proponents of spaying and neutering," Katie said. "There aren't enough homes for all these dogs."

She speaks from experience.

Her mother's mission, Katie said, was launched rather suddenly one day 13 years ago, when Cheryl went to pick up two puppies from a closing pound and came home with 30.

"They were going to be euthanized," said Katie, "so she came home with all of them. My dad, unsuspecting, set up some stalls in the horse barn for them."

Her dad, John Adams, a printer at Cooperative Printing in Minneapolis, has been supportive of Homeward Bound's inception and maintenance over the ensuing years, Katie added.

Suddenly saddled with the responsibility of 30 four-legged refugees, Cheryl sought the advice of Pet Haven, a Twin Cities-based rescue group.

"They got her started," Katie said. "They showed her how to get discount veterinary prices and how to set up adoptions. Then she called all her friends and neighbors and set up foster homes."

In the first few years, Homeward Bound found homes for 15-20 dogs per year. But in ensuing years, the success stories have multiplied.

"The last five years have been huge," Katie said. "We have 18 steady foster homes, and each one takes one to five dogs a week."

Each week, more new dogs are rescued, their numbers determined by the number of spaces vacated the previous weekend. On average, 60 dogs are cared for in various Homeward Bound foster homes.

Homeward Bound rescues all types of dogs. About 40 percent of them are purebreds, while the remaining 60 percent are of mixed heritage. Their ages range from pup to senior. The majority of these dogs have been rescued from euthanization, by Adams, from metro-area animal impound facilities. Others have found their way to Homeward Bound through owners who, for a variety of reasons, have released them to the organization. Many of the dogs on the adoption list have special needs, most often due to age, health or emotional issues.

Homeward Bound takes pride in its no-kill program, a policy that has been made possible by a dedicated team of volunteer foster care providers, who keep and care for adoptable dogs until permanent homes are found for them. Additionally, adopters sign contracts stating that if for any reason they cannot keep the dog, it will be returned to Homeward Bound for another placement attempt.

"We're responsible to the animal for a lifetime," Adams said.

And while she has proven 9,500 times over that the right match can make all the difference in a dog's life, Cheryl Adams has also seen that for all her efforts, the problem of homeless animals has not diminished.

"I think people think animals are disposable, like TV sets," she said. "I hope we're educating people, but I think because of people and their irresponsible choices, the need will always be there."

Homeward Bound Dog Rescue is a private nonprofit organization and to operate, depends solely on adoption fees and donations. Donations are tax deductible. Volunteers are welcome, as are gently used pet supplies. Upcoming Saturday adoptions will be held at Petco stores in Fridley this weekend and on Nov. 20 in Maplewood, and Nov. 27 in Eagan. For more information, call 295-3116 or visit www.homewardboundrescue.com.

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