Happy Dogust!
AARF Benefits Homeless Animals Throughout the Community
Pamela Hall
The Ashland Beacon
The Ashland Animal Rescue Fund, known as AARF, is a shelter for homeless and owner-surrendered animals. The shelter is a no-kill facility that is dedicated to finding loving and caring homes for the animals that come there.
Recently, AARF held an adoption and birthday event for the animals at the facility located at 12365 Kevin Drive in the Paul Coffee Industrial Park. August 1st is considered the birthday for all shelter animals. As part of the “Dogust Birthday Bash and Adoption” event, AARF offered free photo shoot sessions for the animals that were adopted on that day, and also for those alumni animals that had been previously adopted. The event was sponsored through North Shore Animal League America, the world’s largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization in the world, based in New York.
Ashland Animal Rescue Fund helps dogs and cats in the community that are strays or have been abandoned, as well as neglected or owner-surrendered animals. According to Cathy Queen, Director of the Ashland Animal Rescue Fund, the state of the economy has been a hindrance for some pet owners, causing some to surrender their pets. With rising costs, some simply cannot afford to keep their pets, a sad but true fact. The organization also tries to take in animals from local shelters but is often too full to be able to assist in that manner.
“Between here and our foster homes, we currently have over 100 animals,” said Queen. “There are puppies and adult dogs, and kittens and adult cats.”
For those interested in adopting from AARF, the first step in the process consists of filling out an application. One of the criteria for adoption is that currently owned animals in the household must be up to date with vaccines and veterinary visits, and they must be spayed and/or neutered. AARF also requires personal references and a reference from their veterinarian. These criteria are in place to make sure the animals are going to good forever homes.
When adopting from AARF, the animal that is adopted is always current on vaccines and is always spayed or neutered, or scheduled in the future for the procedure. Upon intake to AARF, all of the animals receive worming medications as well.
As you can imagine, the needs of the organization are great and there are many ways to help. AARF has foster positions available for those who might be interested. Volunteers are also needed at the facility for duties such as helping to feed or bathe the animals or even walking the animals. Donations are also accepted for various supplies that are needed. The list may be found on their website, https://adoptaarfky.com.
Ashland Animal Rescue Fund is a nonprofit organization that gets no funding from any other organization. As a result, monetary donations are also needed and accepted.
“We depend on our community a lot,” Queen explained. “Any money that we receive is simply from the goodness of the hearts of our supporters and the community, and from fundraisers that we do. It takes everyone’s support to keep us going.”
Future fundraising events include the Topless for Paws Jeep Ride, Saturday, September 30, starting at the facility and ending at the Greenup War Memorial. The Zombie Prom will be held on Friday, October 13 at the McConnell House in Wurtland. For more information about these events and to view the animals currently available visit the website or the Ashland Animal Rescue Fund Facebook page.