Animal Rescue Fund

The Animal Rescue Fund celebrated its first year of raising money for organizations “that help animals in need” by distributing more than $70,000.00 to eligible Virginia-based animal shelters and animal rescue organizations.

ARF President Jennifer Richards said that the first year “exceeded all expectations for our Board of Directors.”

Events Chair, Vice-President Ursula Landsrath added, “we are so very grateful for the many generous, caring people who contributed to our organization. ARF held three events in 2011: a Ladies Garden Party in May, a Stag Dinner and an Estate Sale in November. Attendance at each event was more than we had dared hope.”

Virginia-based organizations were asked to submit Grant Applications for specific programs. Recipients of Grants were:

• The Blue Ridge Wildlife Center for the purchase of food and medical supplies;
• The Equine Rescue League Foundation for vet and medical expenses;
• Reesie’s “Project Outreach” for food, medical care and boarding fees;
• The Fauquier SPCA, Inc. for an Oxygen Concentrator;
• Cause Fur Paws to sterilize and vaccinate feral cats;
• The Middleburg Humane Foundation for pharmaceuticals and vaccines;
• The Gingersnap Girls for feed and vet;
• The Virginia German Shepherd Rescue for medical care and short-term boarding;
• The Equine Rescue League Foundation for Vet and medical expenses;
• Mountain View Humane-Spay/Neuter for spay and neuter services;
• People for Pets Foundation for repairs and update of storm-damaged buildings;
• Friends of Homeless Animals for a security and fencing system;
• The Appalachian Great Pyrenees Rescue for medicine and special needs;
• The Cat Adoption Rescue for veterinary care.

“The fact that we are all volunteers is what makes this work so well,” said Ursula. “People know that their donations are not spent on wages and overhead.”

Jennifer Richards added, “ARF is a group of animal-loving volunteers who have come together to do fundraising to help support local animal shelters and welfare organizations who must fundraise in addition to caring for animals in need. Our objective is to both help these organizations financially and to save them the time and human resources expended in fundraising.”