A new foster care and adoption center will soon give homeless dogs a second chance at life. But, founders need your help to get the non-profit operation up and running.

Over the years, Travis Quella – an Eau Claire Police Sergeant – his wife, Amy and their 11-year-old daughter, Ellie have opened their Eau Claire home to the dogs nobody else wanted.

"Shelter dogs make wonderful pets,” Travis said.

"I think they're my favorite pets,” added Ellie.

And their four-legged family is about to get even bigger.

"What we decided to do was create a foster care center,” Travis said.

Bob’s House – which is named after a former shelter dog the family lost a few years ago – will give a dozen dogs the comforts of home.

"We're going to have one very large room that's going to have couches and chairs.

That is, until they get adopted.

"If a match is made, or if a person shows interest, we would be able to adopt the animal directly out of the shelter here,” Travis said.

The pooches – along with their food and vet care – will come from the Eau Claire County Humane Association.

"Some of the more needy dogs, like the seniors, the older dogs that tend to sit here longer and don't deal as well with the stress,” said Humane Association Executive Director Lauren Evans.

Right now, Bob’s House is up – a cost the Quella family took on themselves.

"We've spent over $40,000 at this point.”

But, Travis says donations will help fill the empty space inside.

"In order to get it up and running, without monthly expenses, we're looking at about another $20,000 that we need to raise in the next year,” he added.

Donations may be sent to:

Bob’s House
P.O. Box 15
Eau Claire, WI 54702-0015

Those interested in volunteering may call: 715-878-4175

You can also e-mail: bobshouse4dogs@yahoo.com

The Quella family hopes to have Bob’s House ready for dogs by the fall of 2009.