Animal Rescue Group Forms In Aberdeen
ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) — A local pet rescue group is still working on establishing its official nonprofit status, but organizers are already actively placing pets with foster families.
The Brown County Pet Rescue League was at the Pet Place in Aberdeen promoting their organization and showcasing some of the pets they had for adoption on Saturday.
The group officially incorporated in April, and the group’s president, Shannon Bohl, said their goal is to match animals with the right family.
The foster-based pet rescue group has no official home and is run by volunteers, the Aberdeen American News ( ) reported. Talese Nelson and Jen Thomas also are on the board of directors.
“All animals go into foster care,” Bohl said, adding that anyone interested in being a foster family is welcome to apply.
“We’re here to offer another option to people,” Nelson said.
Foster families are accepted through an application process and go through a pet training class. The group also provides support to foster families helping with the care of the animals.
“We pay for everything and we’re available 24 hours a day,” Bohl said.
Each animal that’s accepted goes through a foster family first.
“We foster first to get to know the animal before we adopt,” she said, adding that foster families are included in the selection of the families who adopt the animals they’ve cared for. “We’re very careful about the animal we take and give to foster families.”
While they strive to select the best family for each animal, Bohl said, if a family’s situation changes the family is asked to surrender their cat or dog to the Pet Rescue League so another family can be selected.
When it comes to placing an animal with a family, Bohl said, there’s also an application process. Each applicant, which is asked to provide personal references and a vet reference, is approved after a home visit, but the group also works to match the family with the appropriate pet. If the family doesn’t have a pet-ownership history, Bohl said, the family is asked a lot of scenario-based questions to determine how they would address certain situations.
Adoption fees are charged, Bohl said, and those fees cover some of the animal’s medical costs.
“All the money goes back into the animals,” she said. “At the end of the year, we’re going to post where our money goes.”
Immediate work
Since their incorporation, Bohl said, the group received phone calls immediately. As a new organization, she said, those medical costs have been personally covered.
“When you get a call about an animal being abused or not being fed, it’s hard to say no,” Bohl said.
The group has worked closely with the Spay and Neuter Coalition in Aberdeen, as well as with the local humane society. They’re also working on seeing if there’s a way to promote which animals are at the city pound and which are available for adoption.
Upcoming events
The group continues to make the community more aware and is planning a car wash fundraiser during Crazy Days in July.
They’re also hoping to put together an event with the Aberdeen Police Department. Bohl said the goal is to provide a reduced cost rabies clinic and there’s talk of having someone available to license pets as well.
With the skunk population in the area, Bohl said, it’s important for families to make sure rabies shots are up to date, because if their pet’s shot isn’t up to date, the only option is a six-month quarantine if they come in contact with an animal that could be infected.
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Information from: Aberdeen American News,
