New Hope Pet Rescue Seeks Funds For Syracuse Shelter
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
SYRACUSE - A not-for-profit organization committed to sheltering cats and putting dogs and cats in foster homes is seeking community support in raising funds to further its mission.
New Hope Pet Rescue is a private, volunteer organization founded in 1999. It became a not-for-profit organization in 2003. The organization was founded by a group of three women to help control the growing pet overpopulation and alleviate the injustices of cruelty to animals.
It is the organization's goal this year to further assist the animals it rescues by opening an animal rescue center in Syracuse.
The organization's founders include Angie Wright, who has owned Westwind Kennels, Syracuse, for the past 14 years; Wright's sister, Kim Evans; and Jill Mays.Wright said the organization does not currently have a facility where the animals can be housed and be put up for adoption.
Cats from New Hope Pet Rescue are housed in the Westwind Kennels building where professional dog grooming and boarding facilities are located.
Evans houses dogs from the rescue program in her home, and Mays houses cats and dogs from the rescue program.
Wright said the goal of the new shelter would be to continue to provide housing for cats and to put needy cats and dogs up for adoption. Other goals would be to have indoor and outdoor kennel areas where the dogs could be temporarily housed, an exercise and adoption area for cats, and an isolation area for sick cats. Goals also would be to continue its spay-and-neuter program.
Wright said the cats and dogs that are cared for at the rescue organization come from shelters, puppy mills, and are sometimes strays.
Wright said the rescue program is currently caring for more than 50 cats and has dogs in foster homes.
The shelter works with local veterinarians to provide spay-and-neuter services before the dogs are adopted, heartworm screening and treatment, and cats receive leukemia screening. The animals also receive vaccinations.
The shelter has an adoption program where people, for a fee, can adopt cats and dogs after undergoing a screening process.
The goal would be for the shelter to house cats and temporarily house dogs until they are put into a foster home, Wright said.
Wright said the New Hope Pet Rescue organization has raised $5,600 for the proposed animal shelter through 5K runs, poinsettia and garage sales, and donations from the public. The group needs to raise a minimum of $40,000 this year to make its goal of opening a center a reality.
The organization only receives funds through grants and private donations.
People wanting to donate funds for the shelter can visit www.newhopepetrescue.org or for more information, e-mail newhoperescue@yahoo.com
