The Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation is gratified to bring you news of our latest grant, awarded to Richardson Rescue, a medium-sized group in York, SC.
Richardson Rescue has been rescuing pets since 2003. The mission of this Carolina rescue is to provide shelter and care for both dogs and cats, and ultimately to place them in forever homes. In addition to these vital services, they also provide a low-cost spay-and-neuter program for local families subsisting on low incomes. An ardent advocate on behalf of animal rights, founder Janet Richardson views her work as falling under the umbrella of “preserving the sanctity of animal life”. As goals go, it’s our opinion that her rescue agency has become a great success!
Unlike many of our grant recipients, Richardson Rescue owns and operates a physical facility. The rescue center has a capacity of 130 animals, with nearly 40 dog runs, a medical facility with 15 crates and an observation area with 12 crates. And outdoors, there’s a dog park for exercise and play.
As a publicly funded rescue, the number of companion animals they can save is entirely dependent upon fundraising. Their operating costs are supplemented by campaign drives, grants and affordable adoption fees.
In 2012, this rescue located “wonderful, loving homes” for 385 dogs and cats. Thanks to their ongoing efforts, they fully expect this year to be a banner one as well, with a projected 425 adoptions. Reviewing their numbers of successful adoptions, we can truly say that Richardson Rescue is hitting its stride after a decade of saving the lives of South Carolina’s homeless dogs and cats.
Every adoptive parent goes home with an informational packet containing medical records, microchip information, proof of vaccination and flyers on subjects from training methods to medical advice. Thanks to the signficant donated time of a trainer who specializes in the resolution of behavioral problems, this rescue offers almost daily socialization training to adoptive pet parents. They’re always on the lookout for volunteers to feed and play with the animals, work on special projects and the occasional performance of clerical work.
In addition to their work in providing affordable alteration surgery to pet parents with limited means, Richardson Rescue actively pursues avenues for educating the public and governmental agencies about responsible pet stewardship. Thanks to their steadfast endeavors, spanning years of coordinated enterprise, they successfully led a reform effort in 2012 to improve local animal-rights legislation regarding the chaining of dogs.
Richardson Rescue sought a grant of $1,500 to further the vital work of its Low-Cost Spay & Neuter Program. For the last decade, this program has been integral to its operations, offering these services to local South Carolina residents. While the scale of the efforts depends largely on funding, their dedication to this cause is unwavering. That’s because they have seen firsthand the positive impact that these surgeries have in controlling homeless populations and reducing the number of euthanized pets. In spite of their efforts, thousands of dogs and cats were still put down last year by the “animal control” agency, in their county alone. Sadly, the vast majority of these deaths are preventable. In their application, Richardson Rescue asked our foundation to support them “in our quest to be part of the solution as we stand united on the front lines of rescue.” It was our great pleasure to fully fund their grant proposal. For all of their diligent work on behalf of their community, all of us here at Life’s Abundance salute the hard work of these volunteers.
Here are just a handful of the lovable creatures whose lives have been bettered, or outright saved, by Richardson Rescue …
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