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We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to D.A.R.E. Animal Rescue, Inc. The name D.A.R.E., which stands for defending, advocating, rescuing, and educating, encompasses our call to action to make a difference for animals in our community.
D.A.R.E.’s mission is to improve the lives of animals in Lowndes county and surrounding areas and to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, pet overpopulation. The mission will be accomplished through rescue/foster/adoption, spay/neuter initiatives, community outreach, and networking with local governments, Lowndes County Animal Services, law enforcement, and other animal welfare agencies.
• Defending – Every aspect of our mission is in defense of animals, but our ultimate vision is to ensure quality of life for animals at the local animal shelter. Until we educate and change the hearts and mind of pet owners, thousands of animals will end up at the county shelter every year. D.A.R.E. believes that it is our responsibility to defend the rights of these animals to live in a clean, humane, and loving environment until they are either adopted or their life is ended. D.A.R.E. hopes to complement the work that Lowndes County Animal Services is already doing and to open up the possibility of a more humane approach to animal sheltering and animal rescue. The process will begin with a fundraising campaign to upgrade living conditions.
• Advocating – D.A.R.E. speaks for animals in need. We are their voice. Whether educating a pet owner, rescuing a stray animal, or working to change legislation that affects animals, we are advocating for the rights and needs of animals. One of D.A.R.E.’s primary focuses is to work with city/county governments to enact laws and ordinances that will improve the lives of animals in our community and reduce pet overpopulation.
• Rescuing – The need to animal rescue is never ending. The mission of D.A.R.E.’s foster/adoption program is to rescue as many abandoned, unwanted, neglected and abused animals as possible from a life of despair and to provide them with temporary homes until good, permanent homes can be found. The primary focus will be to rescue animals in the community before they end up at the shelter, thus reducing overcrowded conditions and euthanasia. Animal Rescuing is just one of the ways D.A.R.E. plans to reduce pet overpopulation.
Another way D.A.R.E. plans to reduce pet overpopulation is with an aggressive Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) program for stray and feral cats. An effective trapping program, combined with creative adoption programs like “Cats for Seniors” and “Adopt a Stray Feral Cat,” D.A.R.E. plans to reduce the number of unwanted kittens born in Lowndes county each year, as well as prevent the high volume of cats and kittens euthanized at the shelter.
• Educating – Through community outreach initiatives, DARE volunteers directly reach out to pet owners, educating them about the importance of proper pet care, including spaying/ neutering and providing the basics of adequate food, water, and shelter. D.A.R.E. strongly encourages pet owners to have their pets spayed/neutered, which makes them a part of the solution to pet overpopulation rather than part of the problem. Also, our goal is to help pet owners gain an understanding of the physical, as well as emotional needs of their pets. D.A.R.E. believes that with knowledge comes understanding. With understanding comes change.
We hope you share in our vision to improve the lives of animals in our community and eliminate pet overpopulation. D.A.R.E. is making a difference, but we need your support to continue to make a positive impact on our community. Will you DARE to join us in our efforts?
To learn more about volunteering, fostering, adopting, or donating, please email us at dareanimalrescue@gmail.com. An animal in need “needs” you!
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