In February 2006, Shannon Elliott began fostering dogs in her home to make a difference for Union County’s four-legged residents, giving rise to an effort that would grow over the next 20 years into one of the most readily recognized local animal welfare groups: Castoff Pet Rescue.
Formerly known as Castaway Critters, Castoff Pet Rescue has expanded into a multifaceted facility that provides shelter for homeless dogs and cats as well as cost-effective care in league with other organizations. This includes spay and neuter procedures, core vaccinations, and microchipping so that lost pets can be reunited with their families.
Continue reading with a subscription.
North Georgia News — serving Union County since 1909.
$10 a month. Cancel anytime.
Of course, this is all a far cry from Castoff’s humble beginnings at Elliott’s home. After enlisting more volunteers, the nonprofit moved to an old boarding kennel that it converted into a shelter to house the rescue for most of its two-decade history, but their passion for and commitment to animals would take Castoff even further.
By November 2024, the rescue had transitioned to its current location at 240 Patton Place, which Elliott said has been a dream come true. There’s more space for the animals to roam – the dogs adore their outdoor runs and the “backyards” attached to their kennels – and more space to expand.
Although funds primarily go toward maintenance like food and vet bills, Elliott and the rest of the crew have high hopes for future projects. One of those dreams includes a shelter or outdoor pen for aging and ill feral cats with nowhere else to go.
Another item on the wish list is the establishment of mini “homes” for dogs who have been at the shelter for years; Elliott affectionately refers to them as “lifers,” and she believes they deserve somewhere better to live out the rest of their days than kennels.
Since 2020, the organization has rescued 564 dogs and cats combined, with 495 of them being adopted into permanent homes. As of 2026, Castoff operates on a budget of $1.5 million and steadily helps nearly 100 animals per year.
According to its mission statement, Castoff’s goal is to “rescue, rehabilitate and rehome.” As a no-kill, nonprofit shelter serving Union and Towns counties in Georgia, and Clay and Cherokee counties in North Carolina, they take in stray, abandoned or abused animals and provide veterinary care.
Volunteers take the time to provide socialization and support for all animals regardless of their background but are especially gentle and determined when it comes to those with painful histories.
June Young, for example, knows first-hand the struggles that some animals face, especially when it comes to feral cats. Young has been with Elliott from the start, serving as the “cat person” to counter Elliott’s specialty toward dogs, and she has crawled into cramped cages to get frightened felines used to humans.
This patience has proven helpful not just to the animals themselves, but to the rest of the team caring for them. For instance, Young has inspired Nancy Shafner, who has enjoyed her first foray into volunteering.
“I just do what I can, is all,” Shafner humbly admits, with fellow volunteer Sherry Williams referring to her own years helping out at Castoff as a “calling.” She, like Young and Shafner, is dedicated to the cause, and even continued helping after breaking a hip.
Staff and volunteers agree that Castoff wouldn’t have become the local staple it is today without community support; after all, the organization runs entirely on donations.
Today, fellow animal lovers can continue to make a difference by either becoming a monthly donor or making a one-time donation; shopping at the Castoff Pet Rescue Thrift Store at 19 Cobalt Street, Suite C, in Blairsville; attending Wednesday Bingo at 6 p.m. inside the Haralson Civic Center at 165 Wellborn Street; or considering legacy gifting during estate planning.
On top of that, volunteers are always needed to keep enclosures clean, tails wagging and feline motors running. Currently, over 30 volunteers lend their time and passion to Castoff, whether that’s at the shelter directly, the thrift store or hosting Bingo.
Finally, if you have room in your heart and home, consider changing the life of one of Castoff’s resident critters by welcoming a new member of the family. Check out the website at www.castoffpetrescue.org to read about available cats and dogs.
