Journal-News.com

TRENTON — Leland Gordon might have left his life in the skies to oversee a local animal shelter, but speaking out for unwanted pets keeps him flying.

The executive director of the Animal Friends Humane Society spends his days, and nights, running the Trenton animal shelter.

The position reflects his love for animals and his desire to educate the public.

"My job never really ends, and I love it," he said.

When not with his cat, three mix-breed dogs, his wife or their three children, the 33-year-old takes to local courts and council meetings speaking out for neglected animals.

"Animals are innocent and they're here to be companions to us," he said.

It's a stance he's had all his life, and one he's acted on since he started volunteering at a shelter near his North Dakota college campus.

While he earned a business degree and completed flight school, he spent his free time volunteering at a shelter. And when a medical problem took him out of the captain's chair for a few months, Gordon remained grounded.

As a shelter volunteer, he saw large breed dogs go unadopted, he said. It inspired him in his adult life to adopt three such adult dogs, one from the Trenton shelter.

If just one person treats their pet better because of his efforts, it makes his endless exertions and heartache worthwhile.

"I have a dream that one day all the shelters will go out of business because everyone is spaying and neutering their pets and not dumping their pets," he said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2551 or mengle@coxohio.com.