SALEM — The Salem Animal Rescue League gave kudos to the people who make its work possible.

“The volunteers are our life blood. We could not exist without them,” said Valorie Hayes, a member of the board of directors.

Volunteers were treated to dinner in a room at the Windham Country Club donated by owner Joanne Flynn, who is also on the SARL board of directors.

The shelter has been in operation for 20 years and was run completely by volunteers until about five years ago, Hayes said.

The fundraising events that SARL relies on require volunteers and community support in an economy marked by decreased donations and volunteerism. Recent statistics rank New Hampshire 38th in volunteerism, Hayes said. Most people who do volunteer tend to devote their time to education, social organizations and sports programs. Despite the numbers, the shelter has managed to find motivated volunteers to keep the organization running.

It has been a struggle. The board of directors regrouped last year, cutting the staff to bare bones levels and taking on more hands-on responsibilities.

At the core of its success is the organization’s 150 volunteers doing everything from animal care and fostering to office help and community outreach. The job is not glamorous and can be difficult, Hayes said.

“It’s a very special person that can volunteer at an animal shelter, and I think very highly of them,” Hayes said. “They give 110 percent.”

The downed economy results in more surrendered pets arriving at SARL with medical needs. About 60 percent of the budget is dedicated to medical costs, Hayes said. Many veterinary services are provided on site.

SARL has also implemented innovative programs including the first program in the state to care for animals caught in domestic abuse situations, and programs that assist families with their pets while dealing with foreclosure.

“We can’t give up these programs,” Hayes said. “We just have to work harder.”

Volunteers see the hard work as a labor of love.

“Everybody who is there really wants to be there for the animals,” said Brittany Baggett, a SARL staff member.

Baggett likes being part of a no-kill shelter that is mostly volunteer run. She admits the work can be emotionally draining, especially when animals arrive too ill to survive. SARL’s veterinary team is one of the best, and the organization can choose to spend additional time and money on difficult cases, Baggett said. As a result, they enjoy many success stories for every heart-wrenching situation, she said.

She recalls a 4-month-old named Subaru who arrived at the shelter nearly bald with mange. He recovered and found a home after intensive medical attention and care from the staff and volunteers.

“When he was adopted it was the most amazing day,” Baggett said.

Baggett was introduced to SARL by her mother, Fran Baggett of Windham, who started volunteering as a foster. Fran helped one French bull dog overcome spinal issues and eventually adopted him. Baggett’s love of SARL spread to her students at the Wetherbee Elementary School in Lawrence, Mass. Her fourth- and sixth-grade students raised $400 in two months by making signs and posters asking for “bucks for pups” and “coins for critters”.

Baggett knows the money will be put to good use.

“I’m amazed they do what they do with fundraisers and public donations,” Baggett said.

Pam Michael of Hudson has worked with animals her entire life. She lived in Hollis when she started volunteering and was so impressed with SARL that she commuted to Salem for her volunteer work.

“I was very impressed at how they cared about the animals and their dedication,” Michael said.

Michelle Shainker, of Tewksbury, Mass., adopted a dog through SARL about seven years ago and stayed on as a volunteer. Her son, now in college, also volunteers there. Shainker said she was drawn to the shelter’s homey feeling and the workers’ knowledge of all the animals there.

“It’s just a fantastic, small organization,” Shainker said.

Hayes is impressed with the endless energy her volunteers bring to their work.

“We wouldn’t survive if we didn’t have volunteers who contribute thousands of hours a year,” Hayes said.

jhanson@newstote.com