Counselor Buddy Thunderstruck!

Buddy Thunderstruck was living life outdoors scrapping, until one lucky day at 4 months old he stepped into a trap for some tasty food and found himself being transported to Animal Friends Alliance! It didn't take long for folks to take notice of his beauty and sweet demeanor, and a staff member grabbed executive director, Sarah Swanty, to take a peek. While never really "looking" for another pet, Sarah and family had recently lost a couple of their senior cats and thought Buddy might just be the perfect salve for their aching hearts. The next step was having Buddy meet Sarah's children. Of note, when they came to meet him, Freddy (9 years old at the time), while holding Buddy like a baby, asked if he would really get to keep Buddy. See, after fostering kittens and giving them up for adoption for 9 years, Freddy just really couldn't believe he would actually get to keep this kitten. When the answer was yes, Freddy started crying. It was an incredible, tender moment and we knew Buddy Thunderstruck was going home to Camp Swanty. Buddy now spends his time as a Camp Counselor teaching all the young whippersnappers to respect cats, and if they're lucky he may even play with them and/or groom them!

Counselor Chili!

Counselor Chili arrived at Animal Friends Alliance in 2020 shortly after the COVID pandemic began. She was surrendered with her four littermates from a family living a nearby town who had too many dogs and didn't know what to do with another litter of pups. The Alliance was glad to not only accept the 5 puppies, but also to spay/neuter both the parents and end the cycle of unwanted puppies. Executive director, Sarah Swanty, offered to "foster" Chili, but really knew the whole time that she was never coming back to the shelter. She went from Camper to Counselor and now teaches manners and begging to all of the Campers.

Counselor Pancake!

Counselor Pancake made her way from Laredo, TX to Colorado to get a chance at life. After living on the streets of Texas and raising pups, she had found herself in a bad situation. Thankfully our executive director, Sarah Swanty, happened to notice Pancake at the Texas shelter and tag her to come to Animal Friends Alliance on their next transport. Pancake arrived skinny as a rail with multiple tick-borne diseases, and a fear of men. With love and care from Alliance staff and volunteers she made her way to becoming healthy and adoptable, and several weeks later met Sarah again - this time on the adoption floor. Sarah stepped into her run to visit with her and Pancake immediately sat in Sarah's lap and asked her why she hadn't taken her home yet. Their fate was sealed and Pancake now serves as a Camp Counselor where she teaches Campers how to play (and how to dodge being stomped by a 65 pounder).

Counselor Weaselbrat!

Counselor Weaselbrat was born at Camp Swanty! Her mother cat, Babe, came from a hoarding situation with more than 75 cats and kittens, and was EXTREMELY pregnant when Animal Friends Alliance stepped in to help. Babe went home with executive director, Sarah Swanty, to be fostered and proceeded to give birth the next day. Sadly Counselor Weaselbrat was the only kitten who was born alive. The silver lining was that Sarah and her boys have known her since her birth and became extremely attached, knowing they would have to adopt her once she was old enough. Counselor Weaselbrat teaches the Campers where all the best hidey holes are for a sneak attack, and keeps them on their toes!

Puppy Campers!

Camper Habanero Pepper

Camper PiChi

Camper Skibidi

Camper Shimmer

Camper Banana Bread

Camper Donut

Kitten Campers!

Camper Moulin Rouge/Cocoa

Camper Squirrel

Camper Penelope