Who can resist these friendly faces?.......They were just two of those pets available for adoption by the Hearts of Life
Animal Rescue and Adoption Organization, on Saturday.

 

"Dog Days of Summer"...........

Animal Rescue Organization Hosts
Adoption Event And More On Saturday

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Both members and patrons were seeking "the shade" on Saturday, as the Hearts of Life Animal Rescue and Adoption Organization hosted their second Adopt-A-Pet event. The pet adoption, fundraising, and entertainment was conducted beneath the roof of the Boys and Girls Club on Houston Street and provided a place for the animals and those who love them to enjoy a cool place. The newly formed organization, that is less than one-year old, is dedicated to the rescue and care of both abandoned and surrendered animals.

"Our goal is to provide a facility where these animals will receive tender loving care, until they are adopted or in the case of unadoptable animals, they can live out their lives," states the program's aims and purposes. "We will place these animals in 'foster care,' when possible, where they will be maintained by caring individuals."

 

 

As most are aware, there is a continued growing problem of unwanted puppies and cats, that are abandoned down county roads in Hopkins County. Irresponsible pet owners fail to spay and neuter their pets and before long a litter of pups or kittens are born. The litter grows and soon those cute little puppies "aren't so cute anymore" and are eating a large amount of dog food, or that one cute little kitten has grown-up and now has five kittens of her own. The Hearts of Life Animal Rescue hopes to provide responsible and humane protection for these animals, as well as provide a place for those animals that are misplaced because a loving pet owner dies or can no longer take care of the pet that is so dear to them.

 

Matching pets with the right owner is what the Hearts of Life organization
is all about.

 

"Then, many times individuals will have the greatest intentions of providing a loving home for a pet, and find themselves terribly missmatched with the pet," states Donny Foster, President of Hearts of Life. "The dog out-grows the back yard or is just too big for the area that can be provided, and the owner is looking for a solution that will make the animal's life better. We try to match pets with the owner who has the right facilities and the right personality for the animal!"

Besides Foster, Dianne Hershberger serves as vice-president of the organization and Joey Autrey serves as the Kennel Manager. Carol Lortz is secretary-treasure of the organization and Julie Green serves as Data Entry Clerk. Teri Kuiper is in charge of fundraising efforts and Carl Smith is devoted to construction projects, while Lady Higgins is the volunteer in charge of grant writing. Serving on the Hearts of Life Board of Directors include Lucy McCorkle, Donny Foster, Lavern Follis, Dianne Hershberger, and Carol Lortz.

 

Local animal lover, Deborah Balkcom, finds this cute little Min-Pin puppy particularly attractive.

 

Currently the organization is working on a former dairy barn in Hopkins County and converting it to fit the needs of a growing animal population and adoption center. Before Saturday's adoption event, the group is providing a home for 45 dogs and 19 cats, and is at "full capacity." Most of the animals in the shelter are strays, according to volunteers, but they have been treated for any health problems by a licensed veterinarian and spayed or neutered, if they are old enough.

 

The pets can be adopted for a $65.00 adoption fee, that covers the health "check-up" and neutering of the animal, and for those who could not make it to Saturday's event, the organization can be reached by calling (903)885-5102.

 

"Guess the number of dog biscuits".......was just one of the fun activities
provided at Saturday's Heart of Life event.

 

"We're strictly a volunteer organization, who loves animals," indicated members of the board. "And, we're always looking for caring individuals to join us and for needed donations to care for the animals."

 

Those wishing to support the organization can help by volunteering just an hour or two of time per month, or can aid with donations of money, dog and cat food, food and water bowls, pens, toys and chews, leashes, collars, and muzzles. Or, they can provide bedding materials, cat litter, pens and fencing materials, or simply bottles of bleach and Pine-Sol. There is a "check-list" of supplies that's needed on a continuous basis, to care for the large group of animals.

 

Entertainers Jesse Holland and Melanie Blalock provided quality entertainment for an impromptu
soundstage, at Saturday's Hearts of Life adoption and informational gathering.

 

Saturday's event was a dual event that sought to match potential pet adopters with animals and to raise funds for the organization. A bake sale and silent auction was held in conjunction with the adoption, and entertainment was provided by Jesse Holland and Melanie Blalock, who kept the crowd "alive" and provided an enjoyable day for those in attendance.

Volunteers advise that they plan to host a once a month adoption event, at different venues throughout the county, in a continued effort to place animals in loving homes. If you are looking for a worthwhile endeavor, the newly formed organization can use your help and support in a continued effort to provide love for these animals.

 

Dogs weren't the only adoptable pets. These cute kittens were available for adoption and can be adopted
to your home through the efforts of Hearts of Life, by calling (903)885-5102.

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