Phone (256)360-2953 or E-mail hhar@cherokeetel.net
News
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to inform you about the future of Helping Hands Animal Rescue Adoption Center and the Organization as a whole. We began in a small home outside of Cherokee with a big dream to make a small difference, not even 3 years ago. It has definitely been an adventure with lots of love and kisses, sleepless nights, no vacations, and very little family time. We have had days of helplessness, months of worry; it has been very rewarding at times and at times very sad; but what we have done has been out of love for the animals. Since the beginning we have adopted out about 600 animals, each one of them to very loving homes. We have made several close friends who will continue to be a big part of Helping Hands in the future and that is why I am writing this to you today to help you understand what will happen to Helping Hands future.
Since January 1, 2005, we have had over 50 abandoned animals at our Adoption Center. These are animals that have been thrown over a six foot fence, litters of puppies or kittens left in a box or crate, and even some chained to our fence with the chain so tight that an animal almost choked to death. We have found some hit, some after they suffered trauma, some have had Parvo, some had Feline Leukemia and some were aggressive. We have no clue as to the health or history of these animals, which is endangering the animals we are housing and the safety of our volunteers. We had an abandoned dog that had been "dropped off" who attacked and killed three of our puppies. This is just a small fraction of what we as an organization have to see when people "think" they are doing something right when all in all they are risking the lives of other animals and the safety of our volunteers.
With the current struggles of our countries economy, we are struggling to care for the animals, and vet prices are going up. It costs us $200 or more each animal get them spayed or neutered, blood tests, Vaccinations. Any other medical care they may need, food, and cost of housing are on top of that. No one in our organization gets any money for all the work that we do, and many of our volunteers work other jobs as well. All we ask for is a $75 adoption fee to help go toward our overhead expenses and Vet Care; while some people think that is absurd but who can put a price on the love of an animal especially when they tell this to the ones who do this for no monetary gain at all?
The Helping Hands Organization is going through reorganization. We are bringing in new Board Members and getting back to the roots of the Real Helping Hands Dream! We are closing the Adoption Center by the End of May 2005. To make a difference you have to take Baby Steps. We will still do adoptions and have a couple of dogs in our care, to assure that we never forget the individuality of each animal. We will be taking the Month of June to complete the structuring of our Programs that we will then bring to the community, local animal control agencies, and animals in our community. To those of you that have supported us through cash donations, food, toys blankets and anything else our animals have needed thank you just wouldn't be enough. Because of you and your support it has carried us this long. We at Helping Hands greatly appreciate everything you have done for the animals and hope you will continue to do so. We are still Helping Hands and our main goal is and always will be for the animals we so dearly love. We don't look at closing the doors as an end; it is only a beginning of being stronger and better.
Since we still have several animals in our care, we will be holding Adoption Days Every Saturday (at Pet Works behind the retro McDonald’s on Tyler Ave in Muscle Shoals), from Noon to 3:00pm, to help reduce the number of animals in our care. We will be having Adoption Specials and Discounts. Some of the items that have been donated that we will not be able to use are up for sale: Several Pictures, Hot Water Heater, desks, etc. These items are for sale to help fund our future projects.
Thank You,
Brandi Crunk
Director of Operations
And the Helping Hands Volunteers
Extra special thanks goes to these people who have helped us and without them we could not have made it this far: Thank you so much for all your kindness and gratitude.
Jasco Corp
Dr. Youngblood
Dr. Harris
Target
Bob Osborn
and Pet Works
K-Mart
Times Daily
Petco and the
Petco
Foundation
Rilly Winkle
Mildred Gann
Coy O' Bryant
Mr.& Mrs. Eich
You can purchase items the animals of Helping Hands can put to good use or make a Tax Deductible Donation. We do ask for the communities help by donating the following items: Dog Food, Puppy Food, Milk Replacer, Bowls, Collars, Leashes, Toys (any Kind), Treats, Dog Houses, Crates, Litter, Cedar and Pine Bedding, Towels, Blankets, Heating Pads, Comforters, Blankets, Fencing, Flea and Tick Medications, Computer, AA batteries, and of course most of all your tax deductible donation will help pay the vet bills every month. If you would like to make a donation please contact us for more info.
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Who We Are
Helping Hands is a group of sincere people trying to help the lost or injured friends of mankind and Mother Nature. We only charge a $75.00 adoption fee for dogs, although the medical bills do add up and have forced us to turn away many who have desperately needed our help. We work off of Donations and Volunteers alone. All of the animals that we take in learn quickly how to become part of the family for easier transition into your home. We also rescue, rehabiliation, and release of local wildlife.
Adopting a friend
If you are interested in adopting an animal or volunteering your time. Please call at (256) 360-2953or e-mail us at HHAR@cherokeetel.net, if no answer then please leave a message and a Volunteer will contact you as soon as possible Please do understand that we are very busy it may be best to call us back as well.
Adopted Animals
Come Visit Us!
Since we again work out of individual's homes all adoptions will be done by appointments only
Helping Hands Animal Rescue P.O. Box 372
Cherokee, AL 35616
Phone: 256-360-2953
To Whom It May Concern:
