"Dogs live with man as courtiers 'round a monarch, steeped in the flattery of his notice ... to push their favor in this world of pickings and caresses is, perhaps, the business of their lives."
~Robert Louis Stevenson
"The smallest feline is a masterpiece." ~Leonardo da Vinci
Dedicated to Tiger
Tiger was one of those special dogs who defied description. If you have ever known a dog like Tiger, you know what we mean. If you haven’t, our hope is that, someday, you will be privileged to know and love one. When that time comes, you will experience what we have learned: loving one dog opens the door to loving every dog. Tiger is the reason for Red Fern Animal Shelter.
Low Cost Spay/Neuter Program
Red Fern Animal Shelter was recently awarded a grant from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to assist dog and cat owners with low cost spay/neuter. The program is funded through the purchase of Animal Friendly license plates. Applicants must meet eligibility guidelines in order to qualify for the program. For more information or an application form, call (731) 784-4514 or e-mail redfernshelter@yahoo.com.
Tiger
Who We Are
Red Fern Animal Shelter is a no-kill, non-profit, 501(c)(3) shelter located on 100 acres between Martin and Dresden in Weakley County, Tennessee. We are operated entirely by volunteers, and we currently shelter almost one hundred dogs. (By the time I finish typing this, that number will probably change!) Our dogs receive food, clean water, exercise, Frontline, and Heartgard. They also receive the same expert medical attention that our own dogs get. The only thing our dogs need more of is one-on-one attention and love from a special person or family. But you’re reading this, so there’s hope!
Our Goals
Our goals are:
To provide temporary care for surrendered, lost, abandoned, or abused animals until such time as permanent homes become available;
To provide a permanent home at Red Fern for those animals deemed unsuitable for adoption;
To increase public awareness of the growing problems resulting from pet overpopulation;
To systematically canvass targeted communities and offer assistance toward becoming “Spay and Neuter” or “No Drop” Neighborhoods;
To actively reduce pet overpopulation by promoting and funding the spaying and neutering of animals;
To work with schools and communities in the development and presentation of educational programs that encourage responsible pet ownership;
To cooperate with existing animal welfare organizations in accomplishing common goals;
To establish and publicize a “Safe Drop Zone” for unwanted animals. This is a goal but we are not there yet! PLEASE DO NOT drop animals at the shelter without our permission -- the shelter is located on private property and we will prosecute trespassers.
To solicit and receive funds for accomplishing the above goals.
Adopting a Friend
Don't skip reading this section if you are unable to adopt a shelter animal!! You can still "adopt" by sponsoring a cat or dog. Just click here, then scroll through the listings and pick out one (or more!) animals that you'd like to sponsor. Click on the animal's name, and you'll see a green "Sponsor Me" button near the animal's photo. After doing this, tell all your friends that you "adopted" a shelter cat or dog from Red Fern! Your sponsorship will help pay for "your" animal's food, vaccinations, heartworm prevention, and veterinary care while in the shelter.
If one of our dogs or cats catches your attention and you're considering adopting, please contact us. You may reach us at this site through the link to our email address, or you may call (731) 332-9116 or (731) 332-0318. We work full-time, so please be prepared to leave a message. We will return your call as soon as possible. You will be asked to complete an online adoption application, after which a home visit will be made and references will be checked. We will also ask you to visit Red Fern Animal Shelter on more than one occasion so that you can spend time with the dog or cat that you are interested in adopting. If all goes well, you will be required to sign an adoption contract.
Our adoption fee for dogs is $200. If long-distance transportation is required, there is an additional minimum $150 transportation fee. Our adoption fees may seem high, but our average cost for spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, Heartgard, and Frontline is $300.00. Please do not equate a dog's value with his/her cost in dollars. We have no "cheap dogs." Our careful screening process and adoption fees are intended to protect the animals we’ve grown to love so much. You are making a commitment for the duration of the adopted pet’s life. We take our responsibilities very seriously. Our only interest is in placing our dogs with adopters who will do the same.
Dedicated to Tiger
