In the early months of the pandemic, as pets were in high demand for adoption, Amber Phillips decided to go out on her own.

The trained veterinarian tech had worked for years at Golden Mile Animal Clinic in Plum and Kiski Valley Animal Clinic in Allegheny Township. Opening Champion’s Crusaiders Rescue in Parks Township in September 2020, she fulfilled her dream of owning her own animal rescue shelter.

“I was 12 years old when I first got into animals, and I want to help and save them,” Phillips said. “This is my passion.”

More than a year later, she is working to stabilize the nonprofit operation, as donations have decreased and the number of cats taken in has risen.

Phillips operates Charlee Jai Pet Salon, a pet grooming business that opened in 2020 inside the shelter. It serves as the shelter’s primary source of income and, although it operates under the same roof as Champion’s Crusaiders, they are separate businesses.

Phillips developed her pet grooming skills while working at Tiny Cause, a nonprofit dog rescue based in Vandergrift.

Phillips said she’s working to increase awareness about her nonprofit.

“We’re about $3,000 in the hole,” Phillips said. “I pay for things out of my own money.”

Phillips, 38, cites a lack of advertising, a lull in demand for pet adoptions and a decrease in monetary donations as challenges faced in her first year in operation.

People were eager to adopt pets during the pandemic but, with more people returning to their jobs, some people are returning pets to shelters.

“It’s something that has happened throughout the rescue world, but I haven’t had any animals returned,” Phillips said.

She started a GoFundMe in October to raise money for updates to the building’s electrical system. It has raised more than $3,900.

“We need a bigger fuse box and we need to replace wiring and lighting,” Phillips said.

Recently someone dumped 10 kittens and their mother outside Champion’s during one of the coldest days of the year. The cats were crammed into a small box where, security footage shows, they remained for more than 13 hours before volunteers found them.

“We call them the cold crew,” Phillips said.

Champion’s is operating at full capacity with 46 cats and kittens available for adoption, as well as one dog, as of Dec. 9.

Phillips said she only accepts animals from Pennsylvania and most of them are local.

She said the shelter requires about 32 pounds of kitten food per week to meet feeding demands.

“Litter is our biggest expense,” said Phillips, noting that Champion’s goes through about 150 pounds a week.

To date, more than 220 cats have been adopted from Crusaiders. With a motto of “no species left behind,” the shelter also houses bunnies and ferrets.

All of the animals there have a story — like Peanut Butter, a black-and-white cat rescued from a meth lab explosion, or Sally, rescued from a hoarding situation.

Adoptions normally cost $100 per animal, but right now cats are “on sale.” Felines older than a year cost $60, and felines younger than a year are $75.

All adopted pets are spayed or neutered and up to date on vaccinations. Dogs are always microchipped before leaving the rescue. Microchipping on cats is available for $25.

Champion’s is located at 2687 River Road. To volunteer or for more information, call 724-571-7648 or see championscrusaidersrescue.com.

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