Wayside Waifs
Creators of the No More Bullying!® Program
Wayside Waifs is Kansas City’s largest and most comprehensive no-kill pet adoption campus. Since 1944, we’ve been dedicated to preparing pets and people for the bond of their lives. Our mission is to enrich the lives of abandoned, abused, and homeless animals until they find their forever homes. During their stay on our 50-acre campus, every animal receives a complete circle of care.
Services We Offer
- Pet adoption
- Animal rescue
- Shelter veterinary care
- Behavior enrichment for shelter animals
- Foster care
- Volunteer opportunities
- Humane education programs
- Off-leash dog park
- On-site pet retail boutique
- Pet memorial services and cemetery
- Partnerships with over 70 regional and national animal welfare organizations
Our History
Wayside Waifs was originally founded in 1940 as the Jackson County Animal Betterment Association. In 1944, Fenby Webster, a passionate animal advocate, stepped in and led the renaming of the organization to Wayside Waifs. Her mission? To provide a safe haven for lost and unwanted animals, educate the public, and prevent cruelty.
In 1945, Wayside purchased a 20-acre farm in Kansas City to house homeless pets. Since then, we’ve continuously expanded, including major updates like:
- A new state-of-the-art facility in 1999
- A larger veterinary clinic in 2013
- The opening of an Education & Training Center in 2019
Today, we are recognized nationally for our innovative care programs, all inspired by Fenby Webster’s enduring vision to make the world better for animals.
Fun with Fenby!
As a tribute to our founder, we’ve named the dog safety section in each No More Bullying!® lesson, “Fun with Fenby!” Fenby loved her two collie dogs, and in honor of her, we’ve made the No More Bullying!® character “Fenby” a collie as well.
Each year, nearly 30,000 pets and people benefit from our services.
As a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, we rely on donations and grants to continue our work.