News
CARA - MAKING THE FAIRY TALE COME TRUE
April 05, 2008, 9:37 MT
By Leigh Breland
Article by Leigh Breland : Best Friends Network
Article by Leigh Breland : Best Friends Network
Nestled deep in the heart of Mississippi lies a true gem. Better known to the locals as CARA, Community Animal Rescue & Adoption, Inc.
CARA is a non-profit no-kill animal shelter that was started in the year 2000 by Jerri Bennet, Janet Madden and Pat Sellers. These 3 women, along with help from family and many animal lovers, had a dream to create a wonderful place for unwanted animals with daily adoptions. Well, they soon realized that there were way more unwanted and stray animals than homes available for adoptions. Did that discourage this amazing team? Of course not! These are real "steel magnolias". They just pushed up their sleeves and got busy pushing their idea... a functioning, successful, no-kill animal shelter. Ready to stand up to MS.'s unwanted pet problem by taking in, socializing and adopting out hundreds of loving dogs and cats that needed a second chance.
Today, CARA has close to 300 dogs and 60 cats that are waiting patiently for that special someone to come in and make a familial connection. And just who takes care of the future best friends? A staff of twenty-two part-time employees and countless volunteers. The staff is caring, friendly and very busy doing daily tasks. These folks know, socialize, and lovingly care for anywhere from 30-60 dogs each. Some would say they are the best friends. Carolyn, Robert, Elijah, and Jason, just to name a few, tirelessly care for the unwanted and forgotten friends that have come to CARA.
Do the animals seem to mind hanging out at CARA? Not from what I saw. When you enter the doors you are greeted by Noah, a friendly brown mix who has decided he likes it indoors. He's happy to allow visitors to scratch his head and ears. He loves the attention! Deeper inside the 30,000 sq.ft. shelter, dogs are divided into zoned living areas. The staff members have zones that they care for by feeding, giving fresh water, and rotating the dogs outside for "playtime".Then back inside for a little "r and r". Over in a special corner, you can occasionally see Martha Gardner (volunteer groomer) making everyone look fabulous for their future family. During our visit, Rosie, a beautiful buff cocker was having her turn in the "salon".
As you go outside into the exercise area, you see dogs in kennels and runs. All are happily taking their turn outside. I was greeted outside by a curious pup in a kennel that resembled the frame of a baby bed. This sweet thing stood up on her back paws, propped her front paws over the sides and graciously accepted my greeting of ear scratching.
CARA has a vast 8 acres to utilize for these animals. But, funds & manpower are limited so more outside runs are on hold for right now.
Back inside, I discovered something that can only be described as a beautiful act of kindness. In the very back of CARA, behind all of the zones, is yet another zone. Only this one doesn't belong to CARA. During Katrina, hundreds of animal organizations were destroyed and needed a safe haven for their animals. ARF (Animal Rescue Fund) was one of these. CARA opened their arms and allowed ARF to come in and use part of their building and still does today. With expenses through the roof, food, vet bills, etc. does CARA require a lease? No, they only receive a very nominal fee from this fortunate organization. Looks like the kindness revolution has made it to the deep south and is here to stay!!
As I made my way back into the lobby, I got to meet the new adoptive family of Ginger. She's a sweet girl who picked out Stacy and Tracy Hipp. Lucky them!
Ginger was giving some good-bye love to Holly. She's another devoted staff member, who after working and volunteering still finds time for college.
There are so many wonderful stories of rescues and found loves at CARA. A new page in their book includes the opening of Northview Bingo in May of this year. 60% of the proceeds will go to operating expenses & the other 40% will go to CARA for taking care of the expenses for day to day living.
Well, after meeting the folks at CARA, I asked what we could do to help them out. Adoption is always at the top of the list. But if that's not possible in your world, there are many other things you can do. Sponsorship might be for you. Also many foster homes are needed. This helps with socialization and transition into "home life". What if you want to volunteer? Well, they would just love that. If you love animal contact you can help with the dogs and cats. If you love them from afar, there are many other things that can be done to benefit these precious animals, like being a friendly voice on the CARA phone or helping to build new runs.
Hannah, Cheyenne, Maggie, Scottilyn, and Brooke (all students at a local school) got together with their school counselor and organized a fund-raiser entitled "Dollars for Dogs". They raised $420 and took a field trip to present it to CARA. So any creative ideas are welcome.
Janet Madden said "Our wish is for every dog to live happily ever after". Seems like CARA is making this fairy tale come true.
CARA is located at 960 North Flag Chapel Road, Jackson, MS 39209. Phone number 601-922-7575. Be sure to check out their website, http://CaraMS.org.
Photo by Leigh Breland: Best Friends Network
Photo - Ginger with her new family and Janet Madden