Cell Dogs Highlights

Hi Everyone,

Time passes so quickly! In the early days, I was hyper focused on moving the organization forward, identifying new programs and partners while securing funding. As we embark on our 18th year, those priorities haven’t changed with the grateful exception that we’ve flourished. We continue to identify new opportunities for growth especially with the focused trend on work-force development and transitional programs for incarcerated youth and adults. More programing opportunities translates to being able to rescue more amazing shelter dogs.

Our accomplishments, since 2007 are notable, especially due to our multi-focal concentration on animal welfare, re-development, and transitional skills for our program trainers, and providing service dogs for veterans and first responders, at no cost!

Passion achieves results, regardless of the size of an organization and certainly is true for Cell Dogs, Inc. Join us as we look forward to new challenges and opportunities, and share a historical overview of our organization.

With sincere gratitude,

Janette Thomas, CPDT Cell Dogs, Inc. Founder and Executive Director

Who We Are

Our Mission

We are still focused on 3 goals – with significant improvements in each key are.

Rescuing local shelter dogs who are lovingly adopted after they graduate from our basic obedience programs in local correctional institutions
Building life and workforce skills for our “program trainers” to support a successful reentry
Train and provide service dogs for veterans and first responders at no cost

Strategic Accomplishments

After a lengthy process, our programs are now available as continuing education courses at the local Community College!

Cell Dogs’ curriculums have now received endorsement of the California State and the Community College Chancellor’s Office. Upon successful completion, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion. The certification is transferable to local community colleges upon release.

Community partnerships to reduce recidivism

Focusing on community partnerships, and working with like-minded organizations, plans are underway to extend our programming outside the walls of correctional facilities to support individuals in transitional housing. Recidivism rates for our “program trainers”, one year after being released, are lower than for members of the general correctional population. Providing supportive programs in transitional facilities will further reduce the likelihood of reoffending. Dogs have an incredible impact on changing lives!

Program Achievements

Our Impact in Numbers

Since 2007, we have worked in 6 county and state institutions serving both juvenile and transitional aged youth as well as adult populations. The transformative influence of our programs also has a positive effect on the other residents of the housing unit as well as the staff assigned to that location.

Our training cycle consists of two courses, Concepts in Dog Training and Practical Dog Training, both offering certificates from the local community college. Workforce readiness is key to success, and a path to leaving a formerly incarcerated life behind.

Lives saved and forever changed translate into notable local and state tax savings!

Did you know?

The CA Board of State and Community Correction reports that the cost for a single inmate exceeds $120,000/year!
That equates to $438 Million/year just for the individuals who were involved with our programming.
Knowing that about 70% of Cell Dogs graduates do not reoffend, that is an estimated cost saving of at least $5.2 Billion over the past 17 years.

Imagine how that cost saving could be reassigned, and used to pay for results-based programming, like ours! Sadly, no such funding currently exists.

Our mission is not just to rescue, but more importantly to rehabilitate and train shelter dogs for adoption. Our program results include:

Dogs are crate and potty trained, and know all their basic obedience skills when adopted.
All dogs are spayed/neutered, have all their vaccinations, and all medical needs are resolved.
Our euthanasia rate is 0%
Our return rate is <1%

The lives of the dogs and their trainers are positively changed, unlike languishing in a shelter with an undetermined outcome or a correctional institution with unproductive time on their hands.

Our commitment to provide service dogs to veterans and first responders, at no cost, is unwavering, and the least we can do for their unselfish commitment to our country and community.

When we hired a service dog trainer in 2016, we placed a priority on raising the funds to cover the $30,000 training cost of a customized program for a shelter dog to become service dogs.

Our love for dogs started it all. Our belief in second chances keeps us moving forward.

Community collaborations are essential for generating results and long-term success. We are so thankful for our partners!

The importance of corporate, foundation and private donor relationships is essential to ensure and strengthen funding opportunities and visibility.
Establishing academic accreditation has elevated the value of program participation.
In-kind corporate and private donations account for savings of >$200,000/year!
Dedicated staff at local shelters, OC Probation and the OC Sheriff’s Dept. provide the foundation and support for all our programs.

New partnerships will secure a key role for Cell Dogs in new county and private re-entry and transitional programs.

Success depends on your support

Cell Dogs is thriving and busier than ever! We are well positioned to accelerate our growth by taking advantage of extensive experience in community leadership, program management and fiscal responsibility.

We’ve long relied on volunteer hours but to ensure uninterrupted service from dedicated professionals, we are asking you to help grow our organization. Our immediate needs include 2 additional trainers, and in 2025, we also need to identify an experienced resource to transition responsibilities from a long-time volunteer.

Our 2024 Annual (and only) Giving Day, with a goal of raising $100,000 is on Monday, December 10th.

Let’s keep Cell Dogs in the business of transforming lives in Orange County!

Please save the date for this important event. We are extremely grateful for all donations which are utilized for direct program expenses. Less than 8% of our annual revenue is used for administrative costs. Sharing our information with friends and family is a great way to introduce Cell Dogs, and the great work we do.

Thank you!