A little over 20 years ago, before AWOL (Animals With Our Love), the City of Independence took stray and unwanted animals to a pen at the municipal airport and gassed them within 42 hours. Animals were not available for adoption. Our organization was started by a group of people who went before the City to discuss more humane and ethical ways of treating homeless animals. The City accepted our proposal to take over and the AWOL Humane Society became an official non-profit organization in 1982. The City built and continues to own our facility. AWOL has a contract with the City to accept animals from the Animal Control Officer. AWOL usually uses about 22 volunteers, including a Board of Directors, President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The crew also includes a Shelter Director and weekday and weekend cleaner.