Closure looms for Ontario kennel

"I have never put one dog to sleep," she said. "We train and take care of them and increase their chances of a good home."

Most recently, One Stop K-9 Center started working with the shelter organization Mercy House and took in dogs of homeless people who were going into transitional housing, Robert said.

Andrea Buttner, who works out of Mercy House's supportive services center in Ontario, said she initially found out about the kennel after adopting a dog there in the summer.

When Buttner learned about the services offered by the kennel, she knew they could provide boarding opportunities for her homeless clients.

Buttner said her clients will often turn down transitional housing opportunities because pets are not allowed.

"Homeless love their dogs and see them as an extension of their family," she said.

In turn for their help, Mercy House has donated food and even had Pomona-based Western University of Health Sciences students provide shots for the dogs, Buttner said.

Buttner said she would like to see the partnership between Mercy House and One Stop K-9 Center expand, but is afraid of what could happen if the kennel is forced to close.

"It would be a huge impact," she said. "I see what they do and how much they care for their dogs. These dogs deserve a second chance just like any human does."

Martinez started the kennel in 1980 in the back of her home, which is in the industrial section of the city. Because her home was built about 100 years ago, the kennel does not violate any city code, she said.

The shelter, which has about 20 dogs, operates on on an acre lot where there are 24 kennels as well as gated play areas.

Every day, Martinez, her son and Reed feed the animals, give them walks and even administer special care to the sick animals. They also make sure the dogs are de-wormed as well as up to date on their shots, even pay for them, she said.

Martinez, Robert and Reed can all tell stories about each one of the rescued dogs, such as a stray dog who was dumped on the street and brought in and a dog who showed up at their front door and had to be tricked in by feeding it a hot dog.

Recently, they took in Baily, an 8-year-old Dachshund, who couldn't walk properly and dragged his hind legs. His previous owner had spent money trying to cure the dog, but would have been put to sleep had they not accepted him, Martinez said.

For weeks, she and Robert worked with the dog, giving him medicine, even buying him a wheelchair for his hind legs.

"I would pray and tell him he's going to start running," she said.

Baily still relies on the wheelchair, but he can walk around for moments without the help of the device, Robert said.

"We love the animals and we look for someone that's really going to take care of them," he said. "That's the main concern of ours - that they're going to get a good home because we have spent a lot of time with these dogs."

To help out, visit One Stop K-9, 926 Francis St., Ontario or call 909-923-3700.