March 13, 2008

Pet Rescue needs financial support

By Stephen McFadden

Publisher

There was no doubt that Pet Rescue's volunteers would step up to rescue and care for the dogs that were abandoned last week at the Tokio Elevator.

The volunteers did so without considering the expense for veterinarian care or the foster care. Pet Rescue members work to save the animals first, often worrying about how to cover costs later.

"Right at this point in time, we have more bills than we have money," said Janet Bowman, Pet Rescue's treasurer.

Cindi Lepper, the founder of Ritzville Pet Rescue, echoed that concern.

"It's the same story. It's a funding issue. It's money," Lepper said. "There's no animal control. Until the county recognizes that there is a need for animal control, it will be this way. We have been just limping along on donations and generous adoption fees. We used to get funding through the court system and that stopped and that hurt us very badly. Most of the members are contributing a lot of their own funding."

Lepper said Pet Rescue's work load continues to grow. In 2007 they placed more than 170 dogs and 67 cats. In the past five years they have also cared for more than 20 horses.

"There are a lot of strays because we live in a rural area," Lepper said. "Like these dogs they are just left out there. The advantage (to Pet Rescue) is there are no administrative costs at all. Every donation directly benefits spay and neutering, vet care and advertising the dogs and cats."

"The beauty of Pet Rescue is that most of these dogs would not have done well in a shelter environment," Lepper continued. "These dogs need to have the tender loving care of someone who can feed them in small increments over time and get their muscles built up, hydrate them and socialize them."

Pet Rescue, Lepper said, needs more foster homes for rescued animal and more funds.

She praised the area veterinarians for helping as much as they can. Still, there is an expense for caring for the rescued animals and Pet Rescue is looking for more support.

Donations can be mailed to: Pet Rescue, P.O. Box 311, Ritzville, WA 99169.