Warren County Animal Control is 30 dogs fewer after a rescue transport lightened the facility’s load on Friday.
“We sent three moms with puppies, as well as some other adult dogs, to the rescue group,” said Animal Control director Kim Pettrey.
Animal Control works with various rescues. The group which arrived Friday is called All About Rescue and Fixin’ (AARF). According to organization information, AARF is a small group of volunteers with a passion for animals. It’s a foster-based animal rescue group that pulls animals from high-risk situations. In addition to its adoption program, the organization works closely with animal shelters.
AARF’s Rescue Transport program was started at the end of 2011. The bright van, recognizable by its purple color, pictures of animals and “Rescue Transport” along the sides, was funded through a grant from the PETCO Foundation in 2012. The van is used to pick up dogs from area animal shelters and transport them to adoption facilities.
Warren County Animal Control usually drives to Crossville to meet the rescue van en route to various animal shelters. This is the first time for the rescue transport to make a house call to Warren County.
“They usually drive to meet me,” said Ariel Marengo, AARF volunteer and vice president. “I never realized how long the drive is. We have a good working relationship with Kim and her staff. We’ve probably been working together since 2011 or 2012.”
On hand during the loading process was County Commissioner Blaine Wilcher, who is also a member of the county’s Health and Welfare Committee which oversees the facility.
“I got involved with Animal Control after I was elected,” said Wilcher. “We have a good team here with Kim and her staff. They do a really good job.”
Pettrey thanked Marengo and the rescue group for its support in helping find foster homes for the puppies until they were old enough to be put up for adoption and forever homes for the other adult dogs.