Akron, N.Y. (WBEN) - In August of 2019, Polla Milligan was hanging up one career with dogs, and about to start another.
"I was retiring as Development Director of the Niagara County SPCA," Milligan told Susan Rose. "I saw how many old dogs come into the shelter. They don't get adopted. Many of them end up dying there. It's tragic. So I decided to do something about it.
The day after her retirement, she set up a non profit by establishing a
501(c)(3) and started fundraising to build a senior dog sanctuary. She started holding what she calls "town halls" and said the response was both overwhelming and wonderful.
Knowing it would take time to build a facility, Milligan created a Facebook page called White Whiskers Senior Dog Adoptables. Since then they have placed well over 200 senior dogs in homes.
"We purchased one property but the neighbors were not welcoming. So we sold that and bought a VFW Post on Lewis Road in Akron. We gutted it and it's been an interesting journey. We've dealt with asbestos, seven layers of roofing in some areas and a few unexpected things along the way."
Ready or not, Milligan said they're opening Aug. 10 and 11 at 35 Lewis Road in Akron with a pardon our dust sign.
"Dogs will be free roaming. There are no kennels. The public can come in and sit on a sofa with six dogs. It will be open to anyone, especially those who are anxious, depressed or lonely," she explained.
Milligan feels that dogs are the key to good mental health. She thinks their unconditional love is so fulfilling that they can make people happy.
"Let's face it," she said. "Our world is so divided and people are so angry and at odds with one another that this will be the one place that people can come, no matter what side of the aisle you're on, and get along with one another. We're going to put up signs, no politics, no religion, no backstabbing, no gossip."
White Whiskers is always in need of volunteers and they are grateful for donations. You can find out more HERE or through their White Whiskers Facebook page.
Milligan is honored to be recognized as "Selfless Among Us," but admits it feels strange. "That's only because I love this project so much and get so much happiness out of it. I don't necessarily feel selfless about it. I think it's more selfish than anything else."
