But as Kimberley Alboum has traversed North Carolina, she has seen this is not the case in many places, especially rural areas. Structures are crumbling, and caring staff members often have little support.

"What happens is that the community doesn't want to go into the shelter to adopt animals, as it makes them sad, but meanwhile you have the staff killing themselves to get animals out the door," said Alboum, the North Carolina state director for the Humane Society of the United States.

On Alboum's list of achievements for 2011 is helping form the N.C. Shelter Project, a coalition of the HSUS; advocating Susie's Law, a new state law toughening penalties for animal abuse; and North Carolina Voters for Animal Welfare.

"We realized how powerful our communities are when we focus on the task at hand," Alboum said.

"I am traveling around with folks in our coalition and we are teaching people how to support their community shelter."

The first project the group initiated was with the Caldwell County animal shelter, which was falling apart.

"We put a call out to the community for help, and the Caldwell Humane Society got funding and we made plans for renovations," she said. A community-outreach day to show the county the shelter's improvements was a great success, giving more than 1,300 vaccines and selling more than 170 spay-neuter vouchers for $20.

Alboum also has met with animal advocates working on county ordinances, such as those regulating dog breeders, and finding out what animal control officers need. Some would like to see the open-air sales of dogs and cats banned, she said.

Alboum, who lobbies the Legislature, marvels at the strength of animal advocates.

"I am surrounded by these volunteers who are relentless in their pursuit of animal protection; I could not do my job without their local support," said Alboum, who lives in Cary.

While in the business world, Alboum spent her spare time working in dog rescue, leading her to get involved with the Puppy Mill Awareness Day organization. "I wanted to do even more," she said. "So when the opportunity arose to work for the HSUS, I seized the moment because I knew that working for the nation's largest animal-welfare organization, I could help create policy not just for animals in commercial breeding facilities but for all animals."

Alboum spent this year trying to get a bill passed that would make possessing cock-fighting birds and the equipment used for training and events a felony. Now people can only be charged with a felony if caught fighting the birds.

"There was a lot of legislative support for it, but there were two representatives that simply did not want the bill passed," she said. "One said to me that cock fighting is a way of life in North Carolina and we should just let it be."

Having the bill defeated was her biggest disappointment of the year, but she said she will strive to get an amended version passed. "We North Carolinians are so much better than fighting animals for kicks," she said.

The new year will bring a continued focus on the cock-fighting bill and working to regulate commercial dog breeders. Alboum said she'll also work with animal advocates to educate the public about how buying locally is good for farm animals, human health and the environment. She recently visited two Orange County farms, Coon Rock Farm in Hillsborough and Fickle Creek Farm in Efland, that use sustainable, cruelty-free and drug-free practices.

"If we ever want to combat animal cruelty associated with factory farms, we need to make local, sustainable farms that are like Coon Rock and Fickle Creek more accessible to the public," she said.

Alboum said everyone can affect the quality of life for North Carolina animals.

"Do not buy products from pet stores that sell puppies or kittens. If you want a puppy, visit your local shelter or rescue group or find a reputable breeder. Buy your holiday meal locally to support our local farmers," she said.

"We vote for or against animal cruelty with every dollar we spend. Donate bedding to a shelter or rescue. Bring your shelter staff some cookies and introduce yourselves."