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Advocates for Animals Aims<br />
to Reduce Pet Surrenders<br />
When Pat Thomas moved to Jackson County seven<br />
years ago, she knew she wanted to volunteer to help<br />
shelter and rescue animals, as she had been doing for<br />
over 20 years ... and volunteer she did. But it didn’t stop<br />
there. As of July 2017, Pat has received 501(c)3 status for<br />
her new non-profit organization, Advocates for Animals<br />
in Jackson County (AAJC), which was established to<br />
provide resources in the community to reduce pet<br />
surrenders. The mission is to keep at-risk pets with their<br />
families, and assist the community in rescuing homeless<br />
animals off the streets to reduce intake numbers at local<br />
animal shelters. As is the case with many non-profits,<br />
they rely solely on the kindness and generosity of their<br />
community’s financial donations to succeed.<br />
By establishing partnerships with local veterinarians,<br />
boarding facilities, pet supply stores, other surrounding<br />
rescue organizations, dog trainers, churches, schools,<br />
Jackson County Animal Control and the Department of<br />
Social Services, AAJC has already been able to provide<br />
successful measures of intervention resulting in pet-owner<br />
retention. This has primarily been accomplished by<br />
providing food and assistance with vet bills and pet<br />
deposits for a home or apartment. The group anticipates<br />
through their collaboration with other businesses and nonprofit<br />
partners they will be able to provide services such as<br />
pet training, fencing and short-term boarding. Along with<br />
local volunteers and by working in tandem with partners in<br />
the community, AAJC hopes to implement educational<br />
programs to encourage responsible pet ownership, which<br />
is key in so many situations.<br />
Surrendering a pet due to financial hardship should<br />
never be something that a family should have to consider.<br />
and protection of the human-animal bond is critical. AAJC<br />
hopes to be able to assist low or fixed income and elderly<br />
pet parents when they may face an unexpected medical<br />
expense. They also want to provide funds to enable<br />
families to keep their pets in the event of domestic<br />
violence, an unexpected move, or any other unforeseen<br />
circumstances.<br />
When possible, AAJC will help community members<br />
with vet care for animals they have personally rescued,<br />
since homeless animals are often found wandering our<br />
rural areas. Good Samaritans in the community are saving<br />
these animals, and oftentimes, decide to foster or keep<br />
them as pets even though they cannot afford initial vet<br />
costs or medications. This happens much more often than<br />
ADOPTION IS A<br />
BETTER OPTION ...<br />
Please check your local<br />
animal shelter or rescue when<br />
choosing your next companion.<br />
Pat Thomas and her sweet dog, Shiloa, who passed away in 2012.<br />
people may realize. When the rescuer is unable to keep<br />
the pet, we will step in and help with the re-homing<br />
process, finding a responsible and loving home for the pet.<br />
Keeping pets in the home, off the streets and out of our<br />
local shelter benefits everyone in the community. If you’d<br />
like to support Advocates for Animals in Jackson County,<br />
and help them help others, please LIKE them on<br />
Facebook at AFAJC.<br />
Contact them at advocatesforanimalsjc@gmail.com, or<br />
phone 828-477-4775. By mail at PO Box 495, Sylva,<br />
NC 28779. The website, advocatesforanimalsjc.org will be<br />
available soon.<br />
989 Little Mountain Road Columbus, NC<br />
FoothillsHumaneSociety.org • 828-863-4444<br />
Seeking volunteer dog walkers & dog/cat fosters.<br />
SHERMAN (R) is a sweet, friendly, 2-year<br />
old boy who’s a little shy at first, but warms<br />
up quickly. He loves trail walks, knows how<br />
to sit and come, has lots of love to give and<br />
will make a truly devoted companion. He's<br />
looking for that one special family to<br />
give him a second chance at life!<br />
PHOENIX (L) is a beautiful, very sweet<br />
& affectionate 3-year old girl who loves<br />
to be petted. She's a social butterfly with<br />
other cats and will make a wonderful<br />
addition to your family. If you have it in<br />
your heart to adopt her, she will surely<br />
love you forever!<br />
DONATIONS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE ...<br />
UNTIL THEY ALL HAVE A HOME!<br />
Adoption Hours: Mon & Tue 11 am-5 pm<br />
Thu-Sat 11 am-5 pm / Sun 1-5 pm<br />
PAGE 10 • CRITTER MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY <strong>2018</strong>
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