In 3 weeks times, A.A.R.F. has rescued 69 cats and kittens scheduled for euthanasia at the Cookeville Putnam County Animal Shelter.  Euthanasia will continue until those allowing their pets to reproduce step up and get their pets fixed (Humane Society of Putnam County Spay and Neuter Clinic 931-372-2728).   A.A.R.F. makes every attempt to save as many lives as possible, but there are more lives to be saved.  We as a community need to work together – we rely on your for support.  These cats and kittens need medical care….foster homes…and proper housing to contain them while they are in our care.

We have the opportunity to have “Kitten Houses” built for between $200 and $300.  We have the facility to build these houses…we just need the funds.  Currently, we have 10 cats living in condos and cages under an outdoor pavilion because we have yet to raise the money needed to turn our barn into a “No Kill Feline Facility”.  Please…take a look at the video below and see how your donations can help.

As most of you are aware, A.A.R.F. recently rescued a TON of kittens and cats from the animal shelter in an attempt to give them the time they need to find a home.  And as most of you are aware, we are no strangers to asking the public for assistance with supplies needed to save these lives.  But it is a rare occurrence when people come to us and ask us if they can HELP US!

Kelly Darty, manager of the PETCO store in Cookeville called A.A.R.F. director, Jennifer Farley today asking if the PETCO foundation could lend some emergency assistance with helping A.A.R.F. with their ever growing number of feline fosters!  Within 2 hours, the request was approved by Executive Director of the PETCO Foundation, Paul Jolly, and A.A.R.F. volunteers were loading up merchandise needed for the rehabilitation and comfort of these foster felines! 

“I was speechless!”, said Jennifer Farley, A.A.R.F. Director and President when asked what her reaction was when she found out the request was approved.  “I felt like a kid in a candy store, only afraid to touch anything in fear that it would all be taken away!”.  Jennifer  and store manager Kelly Darty and her staff compiled a list of supplies needed to tend to these kittens and cats, and prepare for the next batch that is certain to be coming in shortly.  Supplies donated include over 400lbs of dry cat and kitten food, bowls, litter scoops, litter pans, cleaning supplies, nutritional substitutes, toys, shampoo, beds, hammocks for condos, scratching posts, a cat condo to separate ill from healthy kittens, milk replacement for the tiny babies, litter deoderizer, nearly 600 cans of cat and kitten food, Advantage Flea topical for cats, cat treats, and 400lbs of cat litter. 

Jennifer states that she has heard of the wonderful things that the PETCO foundation does to help homeless pets get the help and care that they need, but never imagined that such generosity would come to the rural region of Cookeville, TN.  “I am literally speechless….words cannot express how greatful I am to Kelly Darty, Paul Jolly and all of the others that make PETCO and the PETCO Foundation what it is…there is a Heart behind the PETCO Corporate logo…when help is desperately needed – they are there to assist!  I just encourage everyone to continue shopping at PETCO and supporting this organization…they just made it possible for us to afford to continue on our path to save these cats’ lives”. 

PETCO is located at 377 W Jackson in Cookeville, TN in Jackson Plaza (next to Old Navy).  The store can be reached at 931-526-8994. 

AARF was invited to attend Fairfield Glade’s annual Memorial Day Arts & Craft Show.  The dogs were a hit, as was one kitten brought along…later adopted by one of our board members!  Sissy was adopted, as was Dutch, our little Dachshund – all to good, loving homes. 

This Saturday, June 12, 2010 – we will be holding a VERY special adoptathon – adopting kittens and cats for only $25!!!  All cats and kittens are spayed or neutered, current on vaccinations, tested negative for feline leukemia, FIV and heartworm and have been examined by a veterinarian.  The drop in fees is in response to an overwhelming number of cats and kittens that were recently saved from the Cookeville Putnam County Animal Shelter.  Director Jennifer Farley says “When the shelter calls, we respond – that’s all there is to it.  We are here to support the shelter and save lives – and that’s what we’ll do when they call”.  Jennifer received the call yesterday, June 7th in regarding to a massive intake of nearly 100 felines in 3 days.  Working through the night, she and volunteer and avid cat lover Luann Allen came up with a plan to house cats in a variety of places – many unconventional, but desperate times call for desperate measures.  Contributing to the latest rescue was the Humane Society of Putnam County Spay Neuter Clinic, who called Jennifer early today offering additional appointments for un-fixed kittens, making any spaces available in the kitten room.

Visit AARF at PETCO this Saturday to adopt your very own bundle of joy at a price you can afford!  These felines DESPERATELY need homes – please spread the word!

In addition, AARF is seeking the following in regard to assistance with these felines:

Cat Litter, Dry Kitten Food, Canned Kitten Food, Frontline Plus, Monetary contributions for vaccinations and medications (many of these cats need antibiotics quickly!), Monetary contributiong to cover the cost of the reduced adoption fees, large wire crates, large cat condos/enclosures, building materials to create additional cat and kitten houses.

For more information about this project, please call Jennifer at 931-260-8018.

As many of you are aware, northern shelters don’t have the problems that we do…people there understand the need for spay/neuter and their shelters are therefore empty.  When we received a last minute call from our friends at the Ohio SPCA, we jumped at the opportunity to send animals who were begging for their lives to a place where adoption would literally happen quickly!

A.A.R.F. pulled a dozen dogs from the Cookeville Putnam County Animal Shelter, and Cumberland County Animal Control Shelter moved 28 from their shelter.  Thanks to Karen McMeekin for pulling this all together and making this happen!

After spending years and years used from Breeding, living under unknown conditions to A.A.R.F., Phoebe has been transformed into a beautiful, happy and delightful little creature!  Upon arrival, Phoebe was scared and hesitant about just about everything….except for her foster mom, Jennifer.  She even snapped once or twice out of fear.  But luckily, she learned quick and is now following her foster brothers and sisters around, and even playing with some of the smaller dogs in her foster home!  She LOVES to jump and dance….she will just jump and jump until Jennifer puts her arm down for Phoebe to clasp onto.  She gives lots of doggie kisses and loves to sleep in the bed….although she also enjoys sleeping under the bed as well.  Phoebe has transformed into such an amazing character and will make someone a wonderful pet for years to come. 

MANY MANY THANKS! to Stephanie LaFever with Cookeville Canine – Stephanie invited Phoebe into the shop for a “Day at the Spa” and Phoebe returned to us looking like a brand new woman!  Jennifer barely recognized her upon arrival!!!  Stephanie did an AMAZING job and Phoebe thoroughly enjoyed herself!!!

From Cookeville Canine’s Website:  Cookeville Canine is dedicated to serving all our furry friends and the many people who love them. We strive to be the finest Dog and Pet Kennel in the Cookeville, Tennessee area. Come check out our Boarding facilities and we’re sure you will agree your Pet will have the best care in the Upper Cumberland area. Our Trainer is a certified graduate of West Virginia Canine College. We strongly belive that a well trained Dog creates an enjoyable and less stressful home environment, not to mention a better ,safer community. It can also help strengthen the bond between you and your dog. When you trust us with the care of your pet, rest assured we will make sure their stay is Safe, Enjoyable, and Caring.

You can reach Cookeville Canine by telephone at 931-537-BARK or through their website at http://www.cookevillecanine.com/.

Here are some before and after shots of Phoebe!  She is actually WHITE!!!!

So imagine this….you’re living out in the county where it is rare that you see anything out of the ordinary cross your yard…It starts to rain….then it start to hail….the wind picks up….and out of the corner of your eye, you see something moving in field outside your front window…it takes a moment to sink in that it is not a wild animal, but rather a dog.  That is what happened to a Baxter family recently, during this past week’s storms.  Like many folks, they were torn…should we try to help him or just let him find his way home….?  Seeing as how terrible the storm was, they ran outdoors and tried to save the life of this beautiful creature.

After bringing him into their basement, they realized that this boy had been on his own for quite some time….

A.A.R.F. volunteers showed up the following day and transported him to our veterinarian, Best Friends in Crossville, TN.  He received a comprehensive physical, which showed that aside from being a bit underweight and full of intestinal parasites, he was pretty healthy…but then they looked at his ear.  What we believed to be matted, was actually an abscess.  They immediately operated and were fearful that they may not be able to save the ear. 

We contacted the family who found him, who were so concerned about his well being….they told us a story that on the night of his arrival, he was so incredibly terrified, but eventually followed their son into their basement.  He ate some food and drank 2 bowls of water….as almost a “thank you”, he picked up a rag that was laying on the floor and layed it in their son’s lap….he thanked “Fred” by giving him some pats on the head and a few hugs.  “Fred” loved it so much, he went searching until he found a second rag to bring to him once again.  He knew that he was safe. 

One of the vet techs at Best Friends, Beth, volunteered to foster Fred while he was recovering from his operation.  His bandages needed changing daily and everything must be done properly, otherwise his ear could be lost. 

A week later, Fred is doing very well, and it appears that his ear will be saved!!!

A.A.R.F. is proud to announce our newest partnership with White County Animal Control!  They Operate a Shelter at 5600 Gum Springs Mountain Road in Sparta, TN.  Google it….you will never find it otherwise.  Mike, the director, can be reached at 931-510-3604 or 931-761-3647.  Because this is an animal control facility, the staff may be out on a call – so it is recommended that you call before making the trip out.  Mike is very anxious about getting more dogs adopted out of his shelter and saving more lives – AND – a new policy has been implemented that all animals MUST be spayed or neutered prior to adoption.  This is FABULOUS progress for this shelter and this county, and we are so glad to be on board.  All of White County Animal Control Animals can be viewed on our site as well their petfinder site.  Please visit www.whitecountytn.petfinder.com for directions, contact information and to see all of the WONDERFUL dogs available for adoption.

221 Dogs like Phoebe here are out of a once crowded, Sparta Puppy Mill and Never looking back.  Thanks to the White County Sherriff’s department for making the call to the HSUS, the owner of the puppy mill surrendered all animals to authorities and in return, no charges were pressed.  While this is a horrible situation, we are thankful that the authorities intervened and that these animals are now safe.  These animals went to shelters accross the region, including Nashville Humane Association and New Leash on Life in Lebanon (http://www.newleashonline.com/homepage.aspx).  These dogs will be spayed or neutered this week and will be available for adoption by the end of the week.  As for Phoebe (photograph), she is a 12 year young female miniature poodle (age is an estimate made by the HSUS) who now follows her foster mom everywhere she goes.  She is doing well with other dogs, does fine with cats, and does fine with older children.  She is in desperate need of dental work and a good groom (we are thankgful to Stephanie who will be grooming her on Thursday as a courtesy).  Phoebe gets scared when you make sudden movements towards her, and will cower in fear.  She is also fearful when new dogs sniff her and will bite if not kept calm during these encounters.  After 24 hours in our care, though, Phoebe has captured the heart of her foster family and makes the absolute PERFECT lap dog!!!  She likes to go ANYWHERE her foster mom goes, and will sniff her our if she disappears.  Phoebe is blind due to cataracts, but has excellent hearing.  If you are interested in donating to assist AARF in getting the dental surgery that Phoebe will need, please click one of the many DONATE NOW links on our site.  If you are interested in adopting Phoebe, the ultimate lap dog, please complete an online application.  To see many of the other animals available for adoption that were seized from this puppy mill, please visit http://www.newleashonline.com/homepage.aspx.