By Chris Cannon
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - More than 100 dogs rescued from two Middle Tennessee
counties are ready for the next phase of their rehabilitation process. They
will move one step closer to foster care Saturday.
The Animal Rescue Corps took the dogs into custody during two rescues. The
first was July 3rd in Wilson where 94 dogs were taken. The second was on July
9th when the group took in a dozen more dogs.
"You know, we started the process by reaching into those cages and
making these animals the promise their suffering has ended forever," said
Animal Rescue Corps president Scotlund Haisley.
A week and a half later, Haisley said there was a change in the dogs' eyes,
a sign of the remarkable recovery many of them have made.
"They're on the way to the next step. The grass is getting greener, and
the sky is bluer for these guys," Haisley said.
Dozens of volunteers have given the dogs medical care and training during
the time they have spent at an emergency shelter at the Tennessee State
Fairgrounds.
"But at the same time, we're trying our best to get them out of here as
quickly as possible, so they can get into foster homes and really start
rehabilitating," explained placement director Karla Goodson.
Five regional placement partners are working with ARC to find the dogs
foster homes.
"Where they can specifically work with that individual's needs, setting
them up for success and ultimately getting them into an adoptive home,"
said Haisley.
But the local rescue groups can only take 50 of the dogs, leaving 50 more
behind.
"Then we have to start looking outside the state and doing transports
to different partners, in different regions of the U.S.," said Goodman.
Those out-of-state placements will require transportation. Each of the ten
trips is expected to cost $1,000.
"Certainly not something that was included in the budget. Neither was
200 animals included in this rescue budget, but didn't have time to raise
funds, we had to act," Haisley explained.
Agape Animal Rescue will be the first organization to pick up dogs Saturday
morning.
