Formed in response to the public's desire to make qualifying tax-deductible contributions to help shelter animals, OPIN was co-founded by shelter volunteers and is an all-volunteer, registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  It was dedicated primarily to meeting the special needs of the animals of Stamford Animal Care and Control.  Funding was used for care not provided by the City of Stamford: preventive health care and veterinary care for extraordinary medical needs; supplies and public education; and training and evaluation of the shelter dogs in order to make them more adoptable canine citizens.

OPIN also acted as an advocate to bring about awareness of the need for a new, state-of-the-art and more inviting Animal Shelter and Humane Education Center; focusing its efforts on fundraising and gaining community support. 

On March 1, 2007, OPIN held its organization meeting with Laurie Hollywood, then Shelter Manager, and a working partnership was formed.  OPIN recognized Laurie’s success, commitment to public safety, and compassion toward the well-being of the shelter’s homeless animals; and it supported the no-kill philosophy for which the shelter was widely recognized.