About Us
The Animal Welfare Collaborative of Tuscaloosa County was founded by Bob Coulson to bring together shelters, rescues, advocates, and community members under one shared mission: improving animal welfare through collaboration. What began as a way to coordinate efforts has grown into a unified movement working for a safer, more compassionate future for animals and people in our community.
Our Four Pillars of Focus
Our work is guided by four pillars. These pillars shape our campaigns and initiatives, such as FixYour.Pet, which raises awareness about the importance of spay/neuter, affordable veterinary access, and the urgent need to reduce rising euthanasia rates. We also advocate for stronger policies, expand rescue resources, and support shelters with modern solutions.
Spay/Neuter & Veterinary Access
Accessible spay/neuter and vet care keep pets healthy and reduces strays.
Advocacy For Modern Policies
Better laws and stronger enforcement safeguards pets, families, and neighborhoods.
Rescue and Shelter Resources
Sharing tools and resources to help rescues and shelters save more lives together.
Modernizing Metro Animal Shelter
A modern shelter means safer care, stronger adoptions, and better outcomes.
Pillars & SWOT Analysis
Spay/Neuter & Veterinary Access
Relevant SWOT Findings: Weaknesses: Low appointments, costly vaccines, lack of education.
Opportunities: New clinics, mobile vets, subsidized S/N, public education.
How the Pillar Responds: Directly addresses prevention and access, reducing overpopulation and improving health.
Advocacy for Modern Policies
Weaknesses: No lobby, weak enforcement, lack of ordinances/licensing.
Opportunities: Mandates, breeder licensing, political advocacy, subsidies.
How the Pillar Responds: Fills the gap of weak policies and enforcement by pushing for modernized laws and protections.
Rescue & Shelter Resources
Weaknesses: Fragmented groups, overwhelmed staff, lack of visibility.
Opportunities: Shared campaigns, foster/adopter recruitment, collaboration.
How the Pillar Responds: Builds unity and collaboration, strengthens rescues, and improves efficiency with shared resources.
Modernizing Metro Animal Shelter
Weaknesses: Limited space, invisibility, low public engagement.
Opportunities: Enrichment, visibility campaigns, staff training.
Threats: Overcrowding, abandonment, low reclaim rates.
How the Pillar Responds: Addresses infrastructure and public perception, modernizing Metro to improve outcomes.
TAWC Executive Group
Thomas Sahm
Co-Facilitator
Thomas brings years of experience in animal welfare, having served as Program Manager at the local animal shelter and previously on the board of the Alabama SPCA. Thomas also manages the Tuscaloosa Strays missing pet website, helping families reconnect with their lost pets and strengthening the community’s safety net for animals.
Zoe Rose Pallas
Co-Facilitator
Zoe is a passionate animal advocate with a heart for both pets and people. She shares her home with Jade, a playful husky mix. In addition to volunteering with the Collaborative, Zoe serves as the administrator of the Seek Tuscaloosa Missing Pet page, where she helps reunite lost pets with their families and connects the community with important resources.
Bob Caulson
Chair-Emeritus
Bob is a pastor and lifelong advocate for animals who originally founded the Collaborative as a way to unite local organizations under a shared mission. In addition to his leadership with the Collaborative, Bob also runs an Animal Kinship Ministry every Sunday, where he brings together faith and compassion to support pets and their families.
Bill Petty
Advisor
Bill serves as an advisor to the Collaborative, bringing with him a wealth of community knowledge. He is deeply involved in Tuscaloosa civic life, from the Symphony Orchestra to the United Way and the Rotary Club. His broad experience and thoughtful guidance are invaluable in helping the Collaborative grow and strengthen its impact.