News
Community Animal Rescue and Adoption Needs Your Help
September 09, 2008, 5:35PM MT
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Largest no-kill shelter in Mississippi at risk of shutting down
Largest no-kill shelter in Mississippi at risk of shutting down
By Barbara J. Koll, Best Friends Network Volunteer
Community Animal Rescue & Adoption, Inc. (CARA) is a "no-kill" animal shelter in Jackson, Mississippi that cares for over 300 cats and dogs and is currently operating at full capacity. Like many other animal welfare organizations, CARA is facing financial crisis and is asking for donors to come to their rescue.
CARA is responsible for paying 24 part time employees, securing veterinary care for its animals, spaying and neutering animals and paying the day-to-day costs for keeping the shelter open. These expenses come to $1000 per day to operate the shelter. CARA holds a variety of fundraisers throughout the year and has also raised funds through bingo games, magazine sales and garage sales. They also receive generous donations of dog and cat food from WalMart and Kroger but are always in need of other items such as collars, cat litter and treats. They receive no funds from the city, county, state or federal government. CARA could not continue operations without the help of the many volunteers who supplement the work of the part-time employees and help in fundraising efforts, daily animal care and shelter cleaning.
The primary goal of CARA is to find loving, caring homes for its adoptable animals thereby enhancing the life-long bond between animals and people. Their services are focused on promoting responsible pet ownership through community education on proper care and treatment of all pets and the importance of spaying and neutering all companion animals.
Janet Madden, the president of the CARA Board and shelter manager, and Jerri Bennett, executive director and board treasurer, met in 2000 when they worked with Pet Theft Action, an organization that rescued lost pets and returned them to their owners. They were both committed to the rescue and rehoming of strays and collaborated to fill a huge need in their local community. In 2001, Clinton Animal Rescue and Adoption, Inc. became incorporated and operated out of borrowed space at a pet grooming salon in Clinton. When they outgrew that space CARA moved to a leased building in Jackson. When that lease ended, they purchased a 30,000 square foot building on 8 acres of land in Jackson and, because they serve three surrounding counties changed their name to Community Animal Rescue and Adoption, Inc.
What you can do:
• Make a monetary donation to support the work of CARA.
• Volunteer at the CARA shelter in Jackson.
• Provide one or more of the items on CARA’s Wish List
• Attend one of CARA’s upcoming fundraisers –
*** A Barbecue Benefit will be held on September 13, 2008 from 10 am to 3 pm at Laurel Park (In Belhaven on Laurel Street). Tickets are $10. Events will include live music, kids activities, face painting and puppy adoptions.
*** The 2nd Annual "Animal House Party" will be held on October 30, 2008. The event will be at the Mississippi Museum of Art at 6 pm. All proceeds will go to benefit the Capital Improvement Campaign for the shelter.
• Visit the CARA Website for more information on this organization.
Photo courtesy of Petfinder.com. The tortoiseshell kitten pictured above is available for adoption from CARA. Click here if you are interested in adopting this sweet kitty or another animal from the CARA shelter.