Fox Valley volunteers rescue Kentucky animals
Dogs, cats, puppies and kittens seeking new homes were on display in Batavia Jan. 15. Starfish Animal Rescue, an all-volunteer nonprofit pet rescue, showcased orphaned animals at an adoption information open house at its facility at 167 Oswalt St. in Batavia.
Volunteer s provided information and adoption applications. Refreshments , including dog treats, were included. Founded in 2006, Plainfield-based Starfish is a licensed nonprofit rescue organization.
From Batavia, every two weeks about 100 rescued animals go to foster homes or adoption through rescue groups in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana.
Volunteers transport unwanted dogs, cats, puppies and kittens from southeast Kentucky. Since its inception, Starfish has saved almost 6,000 animals.
Margy Swift, Starfish coordinator, said the group's mission is to rescue animals from high-kill shelters, transport animals to secure, no-kill establishments, promote and facilitate responsible pet ownership and to intervene in cases of animal cruelty.
"We commit to eliminating euthanasia of companion animals in North America one shelter at a time," Swift said.
Starfish provides safe, clean and efficient transportation of animals in danger of being euthanized ; education to communities around high kill shelters about proper animal healthcare and the long term benefits of spaying and neutering; low-cost or free spay and neuter options through a Spay-It-Forward program; vaccines and medications to high kill shelters to prevent onset and spread of diseases.
Starfish services include networking with national and regional rescues, as well as shelters, advocacy organizations, and breed specific clubs; conducting intake services to process and transport animals that have been abused, abandoned at shelters, or released for adoption by owners who are unable to keep them; collaborating with veterinarians and behaviorists to provide screening, sterilization, vaccinations, and other minor medical attention to Animals being transported to no-kill establishments; and raising funds to support Starfish activities.
Swift said, "Since 2006, we have helped a rural high kill shelter in the mountains of Kentucky that handles 200 dogs and puppies monthly," Swift said.
Starfish Animal Rescue has rescued more than 4,000 dogs, including 1,500 dogs and puppies annually. Its rescue partner, Safe Hands Animal Rescue in Minneapolis, has donated vaccines for puppies that enter the shelter, ensuring that they are healthy and safe to transport. Because of this collaboration, they were able to half the euthanasia rate and triple the number of dogs rescued within the first year.
"We have also helped to establish a low cost spay/neuter program for the residents surrounding our Kentucky shelter. Due to its welcome by the community, it was instantly successful. In 2008 over 500 dogs and cats were sterilized," Swift said. "With continued preventative efforts, we hope to rapidly reduce the number of puppies and kittens coming into the shelter. We also have been participating in responsible rescue."
"Rescue goes beyond the individual animal being taken to safety. It is a priority that Starfish Animal Rescue keeps the big picture in mind. Each puppy or kitten comes from a breeding pair of animals," Swift added. "While the breeding pairs are not always surrendered to the shelter, we initiate, encourage and support their owners by providing medical attention and sterilization to these animals."
Starfish Animal Rescue has been able to provide donated dog and cat food for the shelter and the community. Through food donations, individuals can afford to feed their dogs that they otherwise would surrender to a shelter.
"We feel that long-term solutions are the most important goals of any responsible rescue," Swift said.
Call (815) 814-3012 , email starfishanimalrescue@gmail.com or visit Starfishanimalrescue.com for more information.