Recently, the Mobile Rescue Unit, piloted by our Rescue Team, pulled onto the North Shore Animal League Campus in Port Washington, N.Y. filled with more than 30 puppies and dogs from a new shelter partner, Animal Rescue Fund (ARF) of Mississippi.
As COVID-19 eases its grip on New York State, Animal League America, which has continued its lifesaving rescue efforts throughout the pandemic, is increasing the number of its rescue missions. Our shelter partners tell us the need is as great as ever to save animals scheduled for euthanasia in overcrowded shelters in both rural and urban areas.
Our Rescue Team met the transport in Virginia and the animals were transferred to us. There were German Shepherd, Hound, Labrador Retriever, and Terrier mixes of all ages and sizes. These animals were pulled from kill shelters by ARF in a tri-county area around Jackson, Mississippi, or abandoned/surrendered by their owners.
“ARF was well organized. We sent them supplies, such as vaccines, which they needed for the transport,” said Karla Agostinello, Rescue Manager. “I believe they will be an excellent shelter to work with and we already have them on our rescue schedule for next month.”
ARF is located in Jackson, Mississippi, which is part of Hinds County. As the largest no-kill shelter in the state, ARF houses, on average, 250 dogs and 70 cats and sometimes more. The county has one of the highest number of animal control pick-ups in the state and a very high number of animals are euthanized within five days.
“This association with Animal League America will help us move dogs out of harm’s way, then out of our facility,” stated Elizabeth Jackson, Executive Director and Founder of ARF. “And that opens the door for more to come in here off the streets and from kill shelters and we can help so many more!”
Open intake shelters in the area are overwhelmed every day with owner surrenders and found animals. “The one in our town can have as many as 500 dogs and cats surrendered in one weekend – this is not an unusual occurrence,” said Elizabeth.
Meanwhile, partnering with other like-minded shelters and rescues like ARF throughout the country and even the world, enables Animal League America to save innocent lives and remain true to its mission to Rescue, Nurture, Adopt, and Educate.