Photo after photo of abandoned animals appear on a computer screen in the front office of the Allen County Animal Rescue Facility. Robyn Porter, vice president of the shelter’s board of directors, wipes away tears as she clicks on each photo and explains an animal’s circumstances. One dog’s story is especially close to her heart.
“When Chance came to us he was everything but dead,” Robyn said. “I fostered him before he was adopted and I didn’t think he would make it the first few nights.”
He was scraped up, starved, and all his ribs were very visible. By the time he was adopted he was healed, plump and healthy. Chance is just one of the 1,290 lives saved since ACARF opened its doors in July of 2010.
After four years of saving animals ACARF might close its doors for good Dec. 31.
LAST week facility director, Janice Porter, sent in a letter to the editor pleading with community members to help the facility.
“We have been struggling for some time,” Janice said Thursday afternoon at the shelter. “All of our money comes from donations and benefactors.”
Janice said their largest benefactor has gotten to the point were they are tapped out and can no longer help.
“This is our do or die,” Janice said.
Julie Paine, ACARF treasurer, said many people think the shelter is funded by the county because of its name. The shelter does not receive city, county, state or federal funding. It stays afloat by donations and from Second Chance, a store in Iola that sends its profits to the shelter.
“We need to be in someone’s budget,” Robyn said. “The city gives a little money when they bring in a dog but if the animal is reclaimed, the city receives the fee the owner pays.”
ACARF is one of only 21 no-kill shelters in the state. Before the shelter was open animals were picked up by the city’s animal control officer, taken to a vet, held for three days and then put down. Janice said if ACARF closes, this three-day method will be brought back.
On Wednesday four kittens were dumped in the country. The kittens were placed in a cardboard box and the box was sealed with duct tape. No air holes were provided. The kittens are now living together in a kennel at ACARF.
When animals come to ACARF they receive a bath, their shots are updated, they are de-wormed, spayed or neutered and are microchipped.
