Alabama Home Base

Dana Darby and Lee Harrington took a respite from their tech careers when Dana's father became terminally ill in 2004. When they moved to a family rental property in Bessemer, Alabama, they not only found a culture which was totally foreign to them, they found dogs... lots of dogs. There were an estimated 100 dogs merely existing, roaming on the hill where they had planned to stay for only 6 months. Curiosity led Dana and Lee to approach their neighbors to ask about the ghostly creatures who aimlessly roamed the street. What are their names? Which dog lives where? The community was very suspicious of the two misfits so getting information on the dogs took some time. What Dana and Lee eventually learned about these poor orphans would alter the entirety of their lives. Many of the dogs had been left behind by people who were evicted or incarcerated; the other dogs were their offspring. One by one Dana and Lee began befriending the dogs. Their home and property quickly filled with dogs. They took one after the other to the veterinarian… puppies, sickly and seniors first. Their veterinarian quickly realized that her new clients were rescuing. Dr. Hudson mentioned a rescue group who might help them. Dana and Lee did not know they were "rescuing" or that there were others who were organized and doing the same. The introduction was to a rescue who would take their orphaned dogs to find homes in Massachusetts. Lee’s home state.

When a plea for help hit Facebook in July 2014, Birmingham resident, Sanderlin Holmes was taken by the beautiful Staffordshire in need. Sanderlin and her cousin, Susan Pearson had been periodically helping rescue efforts in the area. Their generous help given for the Staffordshire resulted in a meeting which would change the face of Pound on the Hill forever. Now devoting all their time to rescue, Lee and Dana paired with Sanderlin Holmes and Susan Pearson. With Sanderlin and Susan's help, support and unending confidence, Pound on the Hill Animal Rescue was officially born. Pound on the Hill Animal Rescue became a non-profit organization on August 15, 2016. The organization’s first order of business was to invite, Lois Bourget of Worcester, Massachusetts to join as the Director of Northern Affairs.