Ark Animal Sanctuary receives more good news

By Lorraine Monfils
    Needless to say, the Ark Animal Sanctuary is very excited about their recent purchase of 35 acres of land on the Old Woodstock Road, the future home of the AAS. We want to give Mary Gregor huge thanks. She was the generous lady who sold us the land and was willing to work with us. Another big thanks goes to Steve Nelson for doing the legal end pro bono. Thank you both for helping to make our dream a reality.
    The land is in a prime location and just a few miles from town. It has a quaint little brook running through it, and is zoned rural/farm. It also has a well and septic system already there. We had our first clean up day this past Sunday, and it was such a success. Twenty kind people showed up with chain saws, weed whackers and four wheelers to help get us where we wanted to go. We had a great day and accomplished so much.
Contributed  photo
FUTURE HOME — A crew of volunteers helped work on the future home of the Ark Animal Sanctuary. Taking part are, front row from left, Pete Kenney,  Darlenre Kenney, Brendon Graham, Cassie Butler, Nancy Knight, Violet Hall and Chelsea Green; and back, Steve Elland, Jordan Bragan, Nason Graham, Kim Graham, Pat Graham,Dee Butler, Brad Butler, Dennis Scott, Bob Monfils and Arlo Hall. Not pictured are Peter Fitzpatrick, Jeannie Simpson and Lorraine Monfils.
    The Ark came into existence on May 11, 2009. We are amazed at how far we have come in just one year. We are very proud of what we have accomplished so far and look forward to what the future holds. We are hoping to put up a temporary structure or mobile home to start with. If anyone has any movable structure that they no longer need or want…or perhaps would consider selling reasonably, we would be greatly interested and ready and willing to help with the removal. Call me at 532-7387. We have four more clean up dates: May 16, June 12, and June 26. Hours on all days are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    All too often, when we discuss or write about animal shelters or sanctuaries, we place much of the focus on how very hard the people work who take care of the animals.  Just for a moment, I would like to take the focus off those people and place it on the animals.
    Think about how hard most of the animals have to work just to survive. Think of the cats that are born feral with no shelter or food.  When these cats get sick there is very little hope for them. Not knowing the human touch, they can’t be captured easily and taken to a veterinarian.  They struggle in the winter to stay warm and find food and water.
    Think also about the animals that are dropped off on the side of the road with no idea of the odds they are up against. They begin to search for food and those people who once were their owners, the same owner that they loved and felt so loyal to. These are the same people who didn’t think twice about abandoning them.
    We, as humans, can for the most part make decisions that determine the outcome of our own lives. Animals are not as fortunate. We are their voice, and often we determine their destiny. Sadly, we often fail them.
    A small dog, eight years old, comes through our door. Someone had to have loved and cared for him for the past eight years. What reason could there be for dumping him?  He was handed off to someone who indicated that they would care for him, but less than a week later, handed again to someone else. He just wants human contact and love.  Watching him, you can feel his sadness. He has no idea why he can’t go to that familiar place he once knew as home.  
    A cat is brought to us who is so badly matted that her tail is connected to her head. When you touch her, you can’t feel her body, just matted fur.  She can’t clean herself. She can barely move. She is miserable, and her eyes tell you that.   When she is shaved, her fur is so matted that it comes off in one piece.
    A cat is seen in a garbage can trying to find food. He is so thin he can hardly walk. His feet have frostbite, and his mouth is infected from bad teeth. He is finally and fortunately rescued. He is taken to a veterinarian and treated for malnutrition and frostbite. He also tests positive for FIV. Once he is strong enough, he is neutered. All of his teeth have to be removed.  This is a success story for now he has a fat little belly and is loving his new life.
    A dog who looks perfectly normal is surrendered to the Ark.  We notice the whites of his eyes have blood in them and later that evening something in his ear ruptures and fluid comes out.  He is taken to the vet, and after being examined it is determined he has had some sort of trauma to his head and a hole in his eardrum.
    These are just a few of the stories I personally have been part of, and each one of these animals now have a happy life. What about all the others still out there?
    I know we all work hard, but compared to these animals what we do is relatively simple. There are so many animals out there who work hard every minute of their lives just to stay alive.  They work harder than we can even begin to imagine just to survive.
    When you love what you do it doesn’t seem like hard work, and when you lay your head on your pillow at night and your exhaustion is real, it is a great feeling. These animals are the true heroes, not the people who take care of them. We are just people who are trying to make a difference in the life of an animal.
    AAS Update
from Mary Peabody
    In April the Ark took in one dog and five cats. They also adopted one dog and five cats. There are currently no dogs. They do have 50 cats, all of which are in foster care. If you are interested in a kitten or an older cat, call the Pet Salon for information.
    In April we created $1,583.90 in fundraising and donations. Our expenses for the month were $5,212.18. As you can see, a donation to the AAS for the animals would be so appreciated.
    A Special Kittie Cat Litter drive is being held during the month of May. They would be grateful for any cat litter donation, but do use Special Kitty. Any donations can be brought in to the Hollywood Pet Salon or also may be left at Darlene Kenney’s home on 95 Codfish Rd. in Linneus.
    We want to invite everyone to join us again on Saturday, May 8, for our famous pulled pork sandwiches. They will be on sale from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of the Hollywood Pet Salon. They will sell for $5. Again, you can pre-order larger orders by calling the salon at 532-7387.
    We were so delighted to raise $647 on our last bake sale, that we have scheduled another bake sale for May 22 from 11a.m. to 3 p.m. This also will be in front of the Hollywood Pet Salon.
    The AAS, at this time, must rely on their own ability to raise money to care for the animals they are tending presently, and at the same time create funding for the Sanctuary project itself. We have a super fund-raiser in Lorraine Monfils and those people who work daily to help with our cause. We don’t like to ask for money, but if anyone decided that they could spare a little, it certainly would help and be appreciated.
    Because of our first article, we had a wonderful couple who donated a building to the AAS.  Our building comes complete with a new furnace, hot water tank, as well as a wood Stove. It is approximately 46’ x 20’ and is presently located on Timiney Lake. We are looking for help in moving this structure to the land recently purchased on the Old Woodstock Rd. Sure hope there is someone out there with a thought on this endeavor.  
    Again, a simple thank you seems just so inadequate. Thanks go to Mr. and Mrs. Arey Golding for their contribution. The support of so many is overwhelming. That support and obvious love for animals helps to gives us the vitamins we so need to continue with this endeavor.
    Still more wonderful news came from Lorraine Monday. Carl Crawford, of Crawford’s Mobile Homes, has generously offered his services in moving our building from Timiney Lake to town. It will be moved in two parts. He will also get the permits for us. Again, there are no words to express our gratitude.
    Thank you…and thank you for reading our column!