Toys, treats, love, and affection are some of the minimum requirements for our pets.
Yet, some animals do not get these blessings. Some animals do not even get the comfort of a roof over their heads.
With 80 dog intakes, 82 adoptions, nine cat intakes and eight adoptions, this organization is a staple to the community by securing new homes for dogs and cats around the North Idaho area. Lives are saved and changed daily by the Furry Farm Rescue in North Idaho. Effort and care are given in enormous amounts by workers and volunteers at the shelter to ensure that the animals get to experience a healthy, happy life.
The organization is run by volunteers only, and it originally opened in 2017.
The rescue’s mission is to “reduce abandonment and euthanasia,” according to their main website.
By allowing dogs who were originally going to be put down to have somewhere to stay, eat and grow, euthanistic deaths in dogs are reduced significantly.
The Furry Farm Rescue shelter aims to give every animal a fair opportunity at a happy life, living comfortably surrounded by people who love them.
It is easy to take pets for granted. People see them every day, even hear the annoying squeak of their toys every day. But when people are without these little moments, people realize how essential pets are to a family.
“Very lonely without them,” sophomore Brock Raebel said. “They make the house feel more energized, more comforting and more welcoming.”
Pets are another member of the family for those who have them. They can reduce stress and anxiety and provide comfort and stability as a shoulder to cry on. Giving stray animals a chance at rehabilitation can also offer a family a chance at a new member.
Rescuing an animal from a shelter can mean big things to the family, adoptee and immediate community. Giving back to these shelters and organizations, such as the Furry Farm Rescue, can be highly beneficial to protect the lives of dogs and cats in the area.
“It is important for animals to live comforting lives and be safe. If not, it’s just kind of neglectful,” Raebel said.
Volunteer work can be vital to High School students’ education, applications and scholarships. Not only does volunteering and donating look good on scholarship and college applications, but it also gives back to the community, pets and organizations. Promoting the search for forever homes while benefitting the community is a win-win.
“It is kind of a fine line, though, because everything is money and space, and there would be many dogs without shelter, so how do you care for them,” Raebel said.
Donations are used to buy medicine, treatments for the animals, toys, treats and food.
Donations and even volunteer opportunities can impact the lives of loveable animals. They are giving back to the foundations, whether it is time or donations, it can increase the comfort and safety levels of the animals staying at the shelter. With more money and help, there are more opportunities to purchase things like toys. As well as more opportunities to reach out to the community to get the dogs and cats adopted.
More than 920,000 animals are put down each year in the US due to euthanization. Shelters like this aim to reduce that number significantly by promoting rescue adoptions. Shelters can heal sick or injured animals as well. Giving them long-term rehabilitation can increase the chances of adoption for the dog or cat.
Reducing these kill numbers benefits a healthier community with protected animals and adoption opportunities.
“I am a strong believer that dogs may not be humans, but they have souls. I think sometimes it’s unnecessary to kill,” sophomore Avery Bitton said.
The shelter attends community events such as the Rathrum Days Parade with stands and information that spreads the word of adoption to the citizens in the North Idaho community.
Larger companies and breeders are common adoption centers for people looking for a new pet. Still, the shelters and volunteer-run organizations can save the lives of many animals who may not have had a decent life without the rescue shelter.
