Lives She’s Changing
Photos and Story by Melissa Taylor
According to ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), there was an average of 5.8 million dogs and cats brought into shelters and rescues across the United States in 2024, and the statistics for 2025 are looking to be on a similar course. Taking the responsibility for helping to lower those numbers can feel daunting, even at a state or local level, but someone must step up to the challenge – This is where Butler County’s “hometown hero” steps in.
Meet Ruby Fooks.
Ruby provides aftercare for a cat that was brought in to take advantage of the
Butler County Spay and Neuter Clinic's low cost procedures.
Ruby is a 31-year-old Ky. native who is a wife and a mother of 3 children. While simultaneously maintaining her responsibilities in her personal life, she also serves as the Director of the Butler County Animal Shelter. Since the beginning of her journey in 2018 when she was named Director, Ruby has made impressive strides in the local efforts to reduce animal population, and by also offering life-saving care to thousands of animals.
Aside from her daily work at the animal shelter and dealing with the seemingly never-ending intake of strays and surrendered animals, Ruby has also spent a significant amount of time conducting fundraising activities. She has held sponsored adoption events, local thrift and resale events, taken donations, and has even been baking and selling her own homemade sourdough bread to locals. The fundraising efforts massively paid off for her
and the community recently.
In October 2024, Ruby was able to officially open the doors to the brand new Butler County Spay and Neuter Clinic, where her and her dedicated team of Veterinarians and assistants are now able to offer free/low-cost spay and neuter procedures, thanks to the Bissell Foundation’s sponsorship. Ruby has recently been able to secure multiple contracted Veterinarians from various locations to actively participate in the life-saving operations at the facility.
The project doesn’t end there and will likely continue further over the next few years, as she hopes to expand the facility grounds and the capacity of their offerings. Ruby says, “as of May 2025, the county has already begun to see a drop in numbers of intakes at the shelter since the clinic’s doors have opened”, and the team is hopeful for the future of increased animal advocacy from the local community. Ruby's dedication to lowering the animal population and providing care that goes above and beyond, has made a lasting impact on her team members, and the community that relies on her.
