Animal Rescue Corps (ARC), a national animal protection nonprofit, responded to a request from a Jefferson, Texas 501(c)3 nonprofit rescue organization to assist with approximately 60 dogs in immediate need of rescue.
When the founders of the Jefferson nonprofit began facing health issues, they decided to shut down their organization and the property went into foreclosure. They needed assistance with relocating the animals they had taken in.
Attempting to help animals in their rural area without any animal services, the group had purchased and converted the former Rendezvous Bikini Bar property into a makeshift shelter and was quickly overwhelmed by the number of homeless animals in their community.
Full with other cases, ARC initially responded with two prior deployments to rescue 21 dogs and sending care supplies to help with interim care of the animals, including pet food and an air conditioning unit.
When rescuers returned for the third and final deployment, they found 39 dogs inside and outside the facility housed in a variety of pens, cages and kennels. Some tarp-covered wire cages outside held up to five dogs while inside dogs were exposed to high ammonia levels and kept in dirty makeshift kennels with urine-soaked straw.
“Today’s rescue operation, aptly named ‘Operation Lost Hope,’ highlights that launching an animal rescue is not just about immediate need; it’s also about building a foundation for a sustainable future where every rescued animal receives quality care and a loving home,” ARC Executive Director Tim Woodward said. “I’m glad the rescuers here reached out for help and that we could assist.”
ARC transported all of the dogs to ARC’s Rescue Center in Gallatin, TN, about 30 minutes east of Nashville.
Each dog rescued in Operation Lost Hope is receiving a thorough veterinary exam, appropriate vaccinations and any necessary medical treatments before they will be matched and transported to trusted shelter and rescue partner organizations in high-adoption areas that will ultimately adopt them into loving homes.
ARC emphasizes the need for donations and volunteers to support the rehabilitation of these animals. Those interested in contributing can visit animalrescuecorps.org. Since 2010, ARC has provided large-scale animal rescue for communities that lack resources to address abuse.
In addition to emergency rescue, ARC offers education and shelter relief. ARC’s mission is to end animal suffering through direct and compassionate action and to inspire the highest ethical standards of humanity towards animals.
To learn more about Animal Rescue Corps, visit animalrescuecorps.org