A Main Line animal shelter is 100 years old

Next weekend's gala is indicative of another effort. After years of complacent obscurity, Francisvale is raising its profile, making itself known. Dogs looking for homes advertise their availability in Wayne's popular Memorial Day parade. Nodding to the digital age, Francisvale even has a Facebook page, with 300 friends.

"The mentality has changed," says Kelly. "We need as many people as possible to know about us, to know about the good work we do here."

Francisvale's annual budget is about $500,000, all from donations. Over the years, it has enjoyed the support of businesses such as Bryn Mawr Trust and John B. Ward & Co. tree service, which tends the grounds. Once a year, students from Villanova University rake, clean, and paint as part of their community-service day.

"People are so willing to give," marvels board president Melanie Shain.

Still, the shelter's endowment is meager, and many repairs and projects await attention. Shain, 62, of Wayne, has a background in investment management. Her chief goal: "to achieve financial stability so we will be here another 100 years."

In the meantime, she rejoices in the shelter's "wonderful, loyal volunteers."

Exhibit A: Sheena Bowa.

"If I could, I'd take all the sick animals home," she says. "They deserve to live someplace nice and to grow old with dignity."