Rescue me

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GREENVILLE — Bark Animal Rescue Inc. has just passed its first birthday and so far it has saved the lives of 75 dogs, dozens of cats, and even a few chickens, snakes, birds, reptiles, rodents, a chinchilla and a pot-bellied pig.

The organization is planning an adoption event to be held Aug. 8 at Darke County Pets and Supplies, 200 Martin St., Greenville, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be cats and dogs on site, as well as complete information on any available animals not on site that day.

Cats and kittens will be available for immediate adoption. Dog adoptions take a little longer, as the organization arranges a meet-and-greet to help introduce and acclimate the dogs to their new families.

Adoption fees will be reduced for the special, one-day event. Dog adoptions will be $75. Kittens will be available at two for $20. Adult cats will be available for $10.

The adoption fee includes up-to-date shots, spaying or neutering and heartworm testing. Kittens and puppies are spayed or neutered at 6 months of age, so the service includes picking up the pet when it reaches the appropriate age and having the procedure completed.

The adoption event also will include a 50/50 drawing, raffles and refreshments.

Carla Hill-Clark has a degree as a veterinary technician and started the rescue operation just over a year ago.

“We did our first rescue July 14 of last year,” she said.

Since then, she’s managed to recruit about 15 people to help out with volunteering and fostering.

The group, which just obtained its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, is devoted to rescuing Darke County animals and finding them homes, but the mission has become more than that.

The group has rescued animals in surrounding counties, as their distressed owners reached out for help via social media.

Two dogs were rescued when a landlord was about to evict his tenants. Others were taken in when local ordinances outlawed “pit bulls” within the municipalities, and they were in danger of being euthanized.

Clark-Hill said that pits and pit mixes are her special mission. She’s rescued some that were outlawed, some that were abused and some that were rescued from dog-fighting organizations, and she contends that they have been the friendliest and gentlest dogs she’s come across.

The organization also welcomes pets in need of emergency temporary placement, for pet owners who might find themselves having to be hospitalized, in a dangerous domestic situation or facing short-term incarceration.

“We don’t want someone facing those difficult situations to also be forced to lose their pet forever,” Hill-Clark said.

She told of a case in which a homeless man from Troy was going into a shelter temporarily and had a pet chihuahua he adored which would not be allowed in the shelter. Bark Rescue put the dog up in a foster home, while his owner went into a program, got a job and a home. He was able to reunite with his beloved pet and bring him home, so they are together again.

The organization is always seeking volunteers for events and transportation of animals, as well as foster homes.

Donations also are always welcome, including money and any pet supplies, food, medication, etc.

While fees are reduced during the adoption event, forever homes are always needed for the pets currently in foster care. The group will work with potential adoptive families to ensure a good fit for everyone involved.

For more information or to help in any way, contact Carla Hill-Clark at 937-423-9300; Randy Clark at 937-417-9326; Carolyn Conner at 937-477-9009; or Michelle Plessinger at 937-459-5069. The group can be reached by email at [email protected]. The website is BarkAnimalRescueIncofDarkeCounty.com.

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Animal rescue group plans adoption event

By Rachel Lloyd

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If you’d like us to “Spotlight” your nonprofit, charitable or support group or organization, contact Rachel Lloyd at 937-569-4354, [email protected] or on Twitter @RachelLloydGDA.

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