About  Us

Animal Friends of Wyoming County is a 501(c)3 non-profit community organization made up of Wyoming County, NY, residents with a strong desire and passion to help out animals.  Our main goal is to promote Animal Health Awareness as well as simultaneously promoting the Wyoming County Animal Shelter.  AFWC raises funds and creates programs to help and care for unwanted dogs at the animal shelter.  AFWC was organized and created by a Board of Directors, each using their God-given gifts, talents and abilities to contribute to the overall goal.  Directors communicate and work to organize programs, events and promotional material to bring together the community to care for lost or abandoned strays in the county.  Though AFWC is a completely separate entity from the Wyoming County Animal Shelter, their goals are similar: to educate our local community and save abandoned dogs.  AFWC is proud to have such a loving community to work with.  Because of volunteers, members and residents, programs such as Spay Our Stray and Pets For Vets are possible through contributions.  Thank you!

Meet the Board of Directors for Animal Friends

Sam
President

My name is Sam Goodell and I am proud to serve as a board member of Animal Friends of Wyoming County. I was there when it all began! In 2015, during AFWC's conception, I started off as the Vice President while also fulfilling secretarial duties prior to that position being filled. In 2018, my position changed to President of the organization and has remained that way since then.
I grew up with a strong desire and passion for animals. My mother is Officer Justa Goodell and I would always volunteer at the Wyoming County Animal Shelter whenever I was not in school or at home. After high school, I could've chosen a different path, but my interest in proper animal welfare and passion to make an impact exceeded all other avenues. My personal interests include pro-life and anti-animal cruelty studies, advocacy and legislation. Learning the existing laws and how they are implemented always excites and intrigues me. I personally believe if everyone understood our local and state laws then better solutions can be made for the lives of the most vulnerable, including our companion animals. My faith in God keeps me grounded while my work at AFWC always keeps me on my toes. I truly have to express how blown away I am at our amazing Wyoming County residents who care so deeply about our animals. It is because of them we have grown so much as an organization and I am humbled to be a witness in progress! God bless everyone!!

Lori
Vice President

TBD

Debbie
Secretary

My name is Debbie Layman and I’m the secretary for Animal Friends of Wyoming County. 
I live in Warsaw with my husband and doggie fur children Cooper and Lady.  Lady is a collie that looks like Lassie and Cooper is an adorable little Lhasa Apso.  We call them big beauty and little cutie.  They mean everything to us. 
I was a teacher for 32 years and retired in 2017.  I worked part-time at the YMCA in Warsaw between 2017 and 2020 until I fully retired.  I have always loved animals and supported animal welfare organizations.  I began volunteering at the Wyoming County Animal Shelter when I retired from my teaching career.  I had joined Animal Friends as an inactive member before I retired.  After volunteering for a while and becoming active with Animal Friends, I was invited to join the board of directors for Animal Friends.  It means the world to me to help in our mission of providing care and comfort to our dogs and helping them find loving homes. 

Saundra
Treasurer

My name is Saundra Mayle and I currently am the Treasurer for Animal Friends. I joined this non-profit organization in 2018, and it’s been a thrill ever since!
I am retired from banking after 30 years of service. Not only do I volunteer on AFWC and at the Wyoming County Animal Shelter, but I also serve as a board member for Wyoming County Community Action. I very much enjoy volunteering for our community and give back in any way I can. I enjoy gardening, traveling and crafting.
My buddy’s name is Charlie. He is a tri-colored English Springer Spaniel. He is very spoiled and that’s the way I like it!  
Here at Animal Friends of Wyoming County, we are truly making a difference in the lives of these dogs. I am so proud to be a part of such a fantastic group. I encourage everyone to join! 😊

Ginette
Events Director

My name is Ginette Murray and I’m
the “Events Director” for AFWC. Joining AFWC in 2017, I still enjoy coming up with new ideas for our fundraising events to help support the shelter.
Growing up we always had coon hounds and my most cherished memories were coon hunting and attending dog shows with my Father. Watching the dogs be so happy in their natural environment and using their skills always amazed me. Today, my four-legged best friend is Tubby, my
four-year-old Goldendoodle. He is my true companion, whether it be out running the trails at Letchworth Park or snuggling with me on the couch. I
only hope that the work we do allows all dogs that come through the shelter to find their best friends and happy place in their forever homes.

Tremer
Media Director

I joined AFWC in 2020 and will be handling our on-line social media updates and posts. I graduated Letchworth Highschool in 2016 and attended Alfred State for Graphic Design.  I am currently working full time at Cuba Specialty in Fillmore and thought this would be a fun way to keep my skills fresh and give back by volunteering for the shelter.   I love hiking with my four-legged best friend and I hope I can help by having others find their best friends too!

Tom
Program Director

Tom has always felt a kinship to dogs. He always had at least one dog in his life at all times. During his childhood he always believed his mother to be the original dog whisperer and paid special attention to how dogs responded to her. Thomas is a retired police officer with over 30 years of experience from Buffalo. He even had the privilege of having a Doberman Pinscher as his last partner. Shortly after his retirement, Thomas became a Certified Dog Trainer and Instructor through Penn Foster College. Within weeks of his graduation he became a volunteer at the Wyoming County Animal Shelter and now dedicates most of his time transforming surrenders and strays into well-adjusted family members. Being the Program Director, Tom oversees AFWC programs such as Spay Our Stray and Pets For Vets. Pets For Vets was created by Tom being a veteran himself as a way to give back to local service members. Thomas is also a local author with a best-selling book "The Art of the Dog" (Thane & Prose). He owns his own business called "That Damn Dog!" which guides seemingly frustrated dog owners to have a better relationship with their own pets. Tom lives with his beautiful wife Sally and trusted companions Luke and Grammar.

Lisa
Members Director

TBD

Meet the Staff at the Wyoming County Animal Shelter

Justa Goodell
Animal Control Officer

Since September 1996, Officer Justa Goodell has served the residents of Wyoming County bringing a voice to dogs and animals all around. Born and raised in Wyoming County, Officer Goodell has three grown children, Zachariah, Isaiah and Samuel, and is survived by her late husband, Fredrick Goodell, of 38 years of marriage. The daughter of Sallye and Larry Treusdell, Justa had the pleasurer of serving the Letchworth School District as a bus driver before becoming the animal control officer. Thanks to her heroic work, the shelter went from a barn in a desolated area to the beautifully established facility between Silver Springs and Warsaw. Recently, Justa has pursued expanding her knowledge on the evergrowing crisis of animal hoarding. Since 2018, Justa has held many speaking engagements around Wyoming County with her PowerPoint presentation of animal hoarding. Her advocacy in animal health awareness and diligence in pursuing justice for homeless dogs of our county is a shining example to follow. Thanks Justa!

Daryl Klump
Animal Control Deputy

In February 2019, the Wyoming County Animal Shelter added another Animal control officer to their payroll, local Wyoming County resident and Veteran Daryl Klump.
Raised in Castile, NY, Daryl was an avid boy scout. After graduating from Letchworth High School, Daryl entered college at Alfred State studying carpentry. In 2005 Daryl felt the call to join the United States Army and did tours Iraq and Afghanistan. Upon being discharged, Daryl focused on the more personal side of life getting married and have 2 incredible kids. Prior to his Current position, Daryl worked as a truck driver driving up and down the east coast. The Klump family currently live in the Arcade area and Daryl is thrilled to join Officer Goodell on this endeavor in rescuing Wyoming County’s homeless dogs and finding forever homes! 
On his off days, Officer Klump enjoys fishing with his son Landon, hiking, camping and working out at the gym. AFWC has learned that his favorite snack is Wasabi Almonds in case anyone wants to send him a “thank you” gift.

Have a Question?

​For Animal Friends

or

For the Shelter
What kind of Community Based Services & Programs Does Animal Friends of Wyoming County Provide?
Animal Friends of Wyoming County was created not only to tend to the well-being of the homeless dogs at the Wyoming County Animal Shelter, but also to encourage Wyoming County residents to get involved in the community.  Programs such as the P.U.P.P.I.E.S. Program are intended to do such that.  Educating and bringing awareness to animal neglect and animal cruelty is also a striving point within the organization.
How long does a dog have to stay at the Wyoming county animal shelter before it is available for adoption?
In short, (7) 24 hour business days.  After a dog is picked up by the Animal Control Officer or surrendered to the Animal Shelter, the dog remains at the Shelter for at least (7) 24 hour business days so the owner has some time to redeem his/her pet.  During this time Animal Friends of Wyoming County posts a photo with a brief description on their 'Dogs for Adoption' page on the website, Facebook and Instagram.  Once the (7) 24 hour business days are up, the dog is evaluated "For Adoption".