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Unlike other organizations and pet rescues, KC Pet Rescue got its start in a very urgent, specific way. It all began with a Labrador retriever and her six abandoned babies.
Kerri Brown is the co-founder and someone who immediately comes across as warm and open, so it’s no wonder that her love of animals translated into a sudden call to action.
“Clarissa Riedmueller (co-founder) is a friend of mine, and three years ago she got a phone call about a lab mother and six babies. They had been dumped on the side of the road in rural farmland. We’d worked with other rescues, but didn’t have one of our own at the time.”
At first, they were cautioned about picking up the mother dog.
“We were told she was vicious. When we arrived, she jumped right in our car, she was the sweetest dog. She was emaciated. Even to this day, after all I’ve witnessed, she was the skinniest alive dog I’ve ever seen. She was pouring all of her health and love into her babies. We named her KC, and everything started from there.”
Today, KC is alive and well. Her puppies were healthy and went on to find loving homes. But the pet rescue that carries KC’s name is unique. A large majority of their rescued dogs go north to find their forever homes. KC Pet Rescue has a large church van, and Clarissa transports many of their dogs to Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. PetSmart sponsors them in Massachusetts.
“We do a lot of local adoptions here in Arkansas, but we also go north because their laws are much stricter with regard to neutering. They don’t have the same level of strays that we see in the south due to those laws, so the demand for pet adoption is often higher there.”
Their pet rescue has grown larger than Kerri and Clarissa ever expected. And when asked about the organization’s specific needs, Kerri was candid.
“It’s hard for two people. Volunteers come and go. Our vet bill is well into the thousands. We have 14 to 15 dogs right now in need of heartworm treatment. Luckily, we work with very kind and giving veterinarians. We’re also struggling for funds for the shelter. Right now, we have outside kennels, just dog houses and tarps. It’s not sufficient for winter time or the summer heat. We’re always in need of dog food and blankets.”
In addition to monetary donations, foster volunteers are always welcome.
“I’d like to alleviate a lot of fears people have about fostering dogs. If you get a dog and absolutely cannot do it, we won’t hesitate to come get the dog. You’re not stuck with them. But often if you and the dog will give each other a few days, everything smooths out.”
According to dosomething.org, around 2.7 million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized each year in the United States simply because they do not have homes. These high numbers are the result of unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering. This is a big part of Kerri’s message to the community.
“Please, spay and neuter your animals. Even the males. And there is no reason to dump or abandon animals anywhere, ever. There are so many rescues. If you can be patient for just an hour or a day, we will find somewhere to put your cat or your dog. There’s never any reason to leave them on the side of the road.”
KC Pet Rescue is a non-profit, no-kill, volunteer emergency dog rescue serving the Morrilton area. They are dedicated to rescuing dogs left homeless, dogs in shelters who are at high risk of euthanasia, dogs given up by their owners, and those in danger of abuse.
Please, consider making a donation to this very worthwhile and animal-friendly cause. Monetary donations are always needed, but adopting a pet this holiday season is also a wonderful way to save a dog, and to help KC Pet Rescue.
In the words of author Dean Koontz, “Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one is a life diminished.”
You can contact KC Pet Rescues by emailing them at info@kcpetrescue.org, or calling them at 501-944-3475 or 413-519-8697. Their website contains all donation, volunteer and adoption information.
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