The Holidays are a time for giving, sharing, laughing, and being with family and loved ones. All of us at the Ark Animal Sanctuary would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and happy holiday season. We thank you sincerely for all your continued support, for believing in our mission, and helping us to reach our goals. You have made a dream become a reality. The Ark is not run by one individual, but by a group of individuals who are very passionate about what they do. The people who donate their time, money, and ideas, the people behind the scenes are the ones who make the concept work. Thank you for helping us to help the animals!
Christmas Spirit
I want to tell you about a recently acquired male cat with an exceptional personality and disposition. We call him “Mr. Personality Plus!” Now if you happen to be a “cat person,” or not, you would recognize very soon that he wants to make you his friend and is willing to work at it! His adorable behavior wins you over immediately. All you have to do is look at him, and his motor starts. His paws begin to knead, and he is in full love mode. We are all in love with him at the AAS.
His introduction to the AAS was a hard one for all involved. A lady came into the Pet Salon one morning to tell us that while doing her daily walks she found a cat and noticed that this loving animal was always laying in the same spot. After very few days of this meeting, she knew it just was too coincidental. She did say she had given some attention to him, which he relished! Recently she had touched and talked to him. He absolutely had craved her touch. At this point she fully recognized that this animal was calling loudly for her attention, almost desperately. Although animals cannot speak, when they know they are in trouble, they can use eyes and body language to get their needs across to those who can help. This lady recognized this. As she got closer to him, she understood that not only did he need love, but also some serious veterinary care. She also noticed how very thin he was, and that something was very wrong with one of his eyes. The day she realized that he had these serious problems, she made it her problem also. Thank heaven for these types of people! She began to make some phone calls to people she felt could help, but help was unavailable. Her last attempt to find some help for this poor cat was a call to the Ark Animal Sanctuary.
After receiving him, and recognizing how sickly he was, we immediately got him veterinary care. It was found that he was severely underweight, infested with flees, missing an eye, with the socket itself being infected. Later, we all determined that he stayed in this spot probably from weakness, but also that a friendly human would come by daily. No matter how short that visit, it was the only kindness that he knew, and he welcomed it! Although sick and malnourished, his spirit was never broken. Thus Spirit became his name.
Spirit is now resting comfortably in his new foster home. There is no end to food and water. He has been treated for fleas, has antibiotic ointment for his infected eye, and is getting lots of love and attention. We have arranged for him to have surgery as soon as he is strong enough to have the eye stitched shut. He will be neutered as well.
We share these stories with you in hopes you will understand our mission more fully. With out AAS help, we have no question that these unfortunate animals would be long suffering and have painful ends to their lives. Everything we do is unconditional and given from the heart. Our reward is seeing these helpless, sick and abused animals healed and able to have a second chance at life.
Although our work is extremely fulfilling, it is often very emotional. In the end we do make a difference! We welcome local support. Any contribution is welcomed, whether it is in cooking for our sales and suppers, fostering an animal until we have our building up and running, or a monetary donation. Many wonderful people have volunteered to work at our sales and other of our fundraisers. Thank you!
On a very happy note, Aileen, the kitten with the broken leg, is all healed and adorable. She certainly deserves a loving owner and a happy home. She is ready for adoption now.
Upcoming events
The Holidays are here, and The Ark Animal Sanctuary is gearing up for Miracle on Mechanic Street once again! It will be held on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Join us and purchase your fresh Christmas tree or wreath at that time. Listen to Christmas music while having pictures taken with Santa. There will be a silent auction, craft sale, candy sale, and bake sale. While there, snack on pulled pork sandwiches, nachos, and candy apples. There also will be dinners available to go. Lia Sophia will have a table set up and raffle items.
Adoptions are possible at this time. Come and support the AAS and maybe give a homeless animal a real gift…a chance for a better life in wonderful home.
At 1 p.m. on Dec. 4, we will have the “Twelve Dogs of Christmas.” We are searching for dogs to participate. We are looking for Labs, Golden Retrievers, Bichons, Rescue dogs, Mixed breeds, Daschunds, Chihuahuas. The dogs must walk on a leach and be OK around other dogs. For more information call the pet Salon at 532-7387.
This past month expenses for the Ark were $1,728.25. Our donations and fundraisers brought in $1,882.60. No dogs were taken in, however two were adopted. We took in five cats, but fortunately adopted 14. We currently have 58 cats and one pig.
A very special thanks to Krystal Dagget for generously giving her time to organize our last fundraiser, and also to Vicki Nanni at Shin Pond for hosting the fundraiser. They raised $350. For the Ark. Thank you both so much.
