Suzi Goldsmith, top, co-founder with Jeanette Christos of Tri-County Animal Rescue, sits with Katie, the golden retriever, and Stanford. Below is Sandy. Tri-County has rescued and offered for adoption more than 100,000 animals in 30 years. Photos provided
By Arden Moore
Let’s go back in time to 1996. Scientists cloned the first mammal — a sheep named Dolly. People of all ages were performing the iconic hand/hip dance moves to the Macarena. And the hottest holiday must-get gift was the Tickle Me Elmo doll.
In Palm Beach County in 1996, a pair of animal-championing “besties” named Suzi Goldsmith and Jeanette Christos decided to create a no-kill shelter that had humble beginnings inside a four-bedroom house in Boynton Beach. They called the shelter Tri-County Humane Society.
Fast forward to today, and that ambitious dream has become Tri-County Animal Rescue on a sprawling campus in Boca Raton that now features a full-service veterinary clinic with plans for more buildings and services.
“Jeanette was a catering manager, and I was a philanthropist and we shared a passion to help animals,” recalls Suzi. Then in 2001, “when the city of Boca Raton was going to close its animal shelter and put out for bids, we said, ‘We can do this.’
“We took over that shelter, paying $1 a year for a 75-year lease. Jeanette got sick with cancer and died 13 years ago, but our mission has never changed. We will and always will be a 100% no-kill nonprofit shelter.”
Tri-County has rescued and saved more than 100,000 animals.
“I think the best part of Tri-County is that there are no expiration dates on our animals who are here,” says Amanda Zimmer, assistant director, who has been there for about 20 years. “From the beginning, we chose to be a no-kill shelter. These animals are with us until we can find them a family, a perfect family.”
During the past three decades, Tri-County has championed animals in need in South Florida and beyond. Staff and volunteers have answered the call when animals were displaced due to hurricanes and tornadoes and other natural disasters elsewhere, like Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
“My first hurricane rescue experience was when Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana in 2005,” says Suzi. “My friend Lois Pope gave money for gas and food for us. The devastation was much worse in person than what people saw on TV. We brought back about 40 dogs and got them adopted.”
Tri-County has arranged for cargo planes to bring displaced cats and dogs of all sizes back to its campus. Most recently, Tri-County rescued about 20 dogs, including a large pregnant dog, after Hurricane Erin hit Puerto Rico in August.
“There are certain rescues that will always be in my life forever,” says Suzi.
One of these memorable dogs is a golden retriever named Barron, who was very sick due to having distemper. He recovered, got adopted and will be present at the special event called Wags & Cheers for 30 Years, set for Jan. 31 at the shelter.
“We are inviting people to bring their adopted pets and enjoy a big reunion,” says Suzi.
Look for details on how to participate on the shelter’s website at tricountyanimalrescue.org.
“The years have flown by, but it seems like just yesterday, not 30 years,” says Suzi. “It has been a lot of hard work, but it has all been worth it. I wish I could do this for another 30 years, but I will do it for as long as I can because the animals are all worth it.”
Arden Moore writes about pets and can be reached at fourleggedlife@gmail.com.
If You Go
Wags & Cheers for 30 Years, a rescue animal reunion, is 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 31 at 21287 Boca Rio Road, Boca Raton. Visit tricountyanimalrescue.org.
Through the years
1996: Tri-County Humane Society begins cage-free inside a four-bedroom home in Boynton Beach.
2000: First major milestone reached with 5,000 homeless animals adopted.
2001: Suzi Goldsmith and Jeanette Christos agree to take over the Boca Raton animal shelter and rename it Tri-County Animal Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
2005: The devastating Hurricane Katrina slammed New Orleans. Tri-County staffers arrived to assist and brought back dozens of dogs to help them get homes in Palm Beach County. It marked the first time Goldsmith and her team traveled outside South Florida to participate in a national rescue effort.
2013: A pair of F5 tornadoes struck in Oklahoma. Three vans stocked with medical supplies, food and water from Tri-County arrived to help. They returned with about 80 rescues.
2017: Hurricanes Irma and Maria smacked Puerto Rico. Tri-County arranged to have some displaced animals flown to Boca Raton. This marked the first year Tri-County worked with animal organizations in Puerto Rico.
2019: Tri-County opens the Lois Pope Pet Clinic, which provides low-cost, full veterinary care. It’s named in honor of the longtime supporter and philanthropist Lois Pope.
2020: When the pandemic closed businesses and forced people to work from their homes, Tri-County never closed its doors or stopped its rescue and veterinary support. The shelter was deemed to be essential.
2026: Tri-County will celebrate its three decades with various events throughout the year. More buildings will be added to provide more services in the spring 2026.
For a more detailed look at Tri-County’s 30 years of helping animals in need, visit tricountyanimalrescue.org/history.
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