Give her a medal!
She loaded up the truck and headed out to the rescue!
The cats of Nye County wouldn’t all be getting closer to new homes if it weren’t for the volunteers who are looking after them! Volunteers are the lifeblood of this rescue, and one of the most impressive is Rhonda Swindell!
Earlier this year, Rhonda heard about the big Best Friends rescue at the Pets Alive sanctuary in New York. She wanted to help, but New York was too far to travel, so when an opportunity arose closer to home her bags were packed faster than you could say Pahrump!
“When I realized it was within driving distance, I was so excited,” Rhonda told me bright and early on Sunday morning (cleaning supplies already in her hand), the day after the Change Their Luck adoption event. I had been trying to talk to her all day at the event but she was so busy helping out here, showing a cat there, she couldn’t break her pace for even a quick cup of coffee. That’s dedicated!
As soon as she knew she’d be going to Pahrump, she started to contact family, friends and co-workers to help rally the troops. She connected with Denise DiPietro in Tucson, and vet tech Nancy Ritchie from Sun Valley Animal Shelter in Glendale, they were both ready for a road trip.
Before her departure, Rhonda also started collecting cash and checks from her co-workers at Wells Fargo (apparently a good place to start when looking for cash & checks!). Some of her co-workers gave her Costco gift cards and by the time she was ready to roll her truck was full to the brim with supplies!
The outpouring of support has blown her away. As she pulled out of her driveway to get on the road at 5 am, her neighbor ran out her house and handed her a $20 bill! Her neighbor said, “make sure this gets to the animals.” Her eyes started to look a little moist, and I know I needed a tissue as she recounted the generosity of her community.
In less than a week’s time Rhonda had collected over $1,000 in cash, checks and supplies!
Rhonda’s heart has always been with the animals. She’s been volunteering at her local shelter for 8 years, but what she saw in Pahrump is like no other experience she’s had!
“I wasn’t expecting Pahrump to be such a small town. What has impressed me most has been the support of the community. An hour and half into the adoption event 13 cats were already on their way home. The adoption turn-out was amazing!”
“I’ve never seen such a scale of neglect from the reports on the Best Friends website and the television coverage, I just knew I wanted to get involved,” she added. “I’m 100% supportive of what Best Friends does! Best Friends does great work. And coming out to volunteer - everyone is so friendly and helpful, and you’re so well organized! We need more groups like Best Friends!”
It’s support from members like Rhonda that make the Nye County cat rescue such a success!
Story by Denise LeBeau, photo by Clay Myers. ---------------------------
HOW YOU CAN HELPDONATIONSDonations are deeply appreciated, since costs are rising by the hour. You can donate to the
Best Friends Emergency Rescue Fund.
VOLUNTEERNo previous cat handling experience is needed but you do need to be able to work outside in extreme heat doing physical labor and lifting. If you have availability to volunteer, please contact Ellen Gilmore at
elleng@bestfriends.org or 805-698-5959.
CAN YOUR ORGANIZATION HELP THESE CATS?Best Friends is looking for organizations that can offer permanent placement. If your organization would like to help please email
nmhp@bestfriends.org or call 435-644-3965 ext 4254.
Directions from Las Vegas to the FLOCK property in Pahrump: Take Blue Diamond Highway (Highway 160) to Pahrump, turn left on Homestead (directly across from the Shell gas station), turn right on Silver, right again on Vicki Ann, and then right on Bond. The address is 2171 Bond. Look for the “Welcome Volunteers” sign with the Best Friends logo.
Las Vegas drop-off location for donations of food and other cat supplies: Intermountain Farmers Association Country Store, 3176 W. Martin Ave. on the corner of Martin Avenue and Dean Martin Boulevard