FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Animal welfare agencies working together for the betterment of the area’s pet population have passed along some good news. Maddie’s Pet Rescue Project of Baldwin County and its partner agencies report a nearly 60 percent decrease in the euthanasia of healthy animals in county shelters. Even so, 614 otherwise healthy and behaviorally sound dogs and cats were put down last year because there is simply not enough space to house them all.

In hopes of creating even more opportunities for homeless, neglected and abused animals to find good homes, project leaders are working with the new North Baldwin Animal Shelter in Bay Minette, and the goal this year is to reduce the number of pets put to sleep to zero.

“We just had our first meeting with our new partners last week,” said Casey Reynolds, Maddie’s Project coordinator. “It’s a loose coalition, and we’re brainstorming and discussing what we’ve been doing the last few years.”

Maddie’s Project, named after a miniature Schnauzer loved by Maddie’s Fund founders Dave and Cheryl Duffield, just wrapped up its fourth year locally, and Reynolds said the partners will help each other fulfill their individual missions, while assisting the project to reach its full potential.

That involves eliminating euthanasia as a means of animal control by transferring animals out of shelters into nonprofit rescue agencies, and in turn placing them into homes.

“That’s our stated mission — keeping animals out of shelters,” she said.

The added capacity of the North Baldwin Shelter is expected to help the coalition make that a reality. But because it is in its infancy, there is no way of knowing how effective its role will initially be.

“We’re bringing more people on board to spread the word,” Reynolds said. “We’re sending e-mails (to partner agencies), letting them know what animals they can help.”

Also doing heavy lifting through The Haven are Amy Boddie and James Pennington, who have each taken a strong hands-on role in rescuing animals previously kicked to the curb. Reynolds said, “They’ve done what they could as individuals to save animals. They are people with big hearts who have been helping.”

The coalition plans to apply for additional funding next year to focus on animals that have minor health and behavior issues and require more resources to save.

“We collect statistics, and we saw the problems from the numbers we were gathering,” she said. “The big thing we’ve been trying to figure out is how to get them (potential pet owners) to go to a shelter rather than a pet store, flea market or (someone selling animals) along the side of the road.”

Reynolds pointed out that shelter animals are just as good, if not better, than those purchased from storefronts or breeders. She said, “Some think they’re alley cats or junkyard dogs who get in the shelters, but they’re not. They are great animals who need a home.”

The coalition plans to meet in person quarterly, as well as exchange phone calls and e-mail correspondence. Reynolds noted that in this busy, high-tech world, the computer can be useful in an animal rescue agency’s toolbox.

For more information about the Maddie’s Project, visit the Haven online at www.havenforanimals.org.