Local non-profit that saves dogs from euthanasia faces dissolution
JACKSON, Tenn. — One non-profit is asking for the community’s help to keep an organization running that has been saving animal’s lives for more than a decade in West Tennessee.
Tennessee Death Row Dogs’ mission is to save homeless, sick and abandoned dogs in shelters on the way to be euthanized.
Nearly all of the animals saved by this organization come from Jackson-Madison County rabies control.
The announcement came from the organization last week due to what they say is a lack of funding.
And, with vetting costs rising, they will not have enough funds to continue the work of the organization that has saved more than 1,500 dogs in the Jackson-Madison County area.
The organization says the cost for minor vetting expenses averages around $1,000 per animal.
“Once we get them out of the shelter we fully vet them from head to toe. That’s including vaccinations, fecals, alters, heartworm checks if they’re old enough, all-prevention,” said Teresa Stutts, President of Tennessee Death Row Dogs.
The organization then transports the animal to sister rescues in northern states where they say are more adopters and spay and neuter laws.
“We don’t collect anything from the sister rescues that we send them to. The only reason we do it is to get them out of the shelter,” said Stutts.
Boarding costs are also a factor as the animal receives treatment and awaits adoption.
“Years ago when we started, yeah, $300 would get a dog fully vetted, and you could send them out in a couple weeks. But, there’s such an influx of dogs, they have to wait until they’re spot opens,” said Stutts.
Stutts says after fully vetting and boarding the animal, the organization could cover an upwards of nearly $2,500 to $3,000 per dog, if they are heartworm positive.
Their goal is to raise at least $10,000 dollars to be able to continue to save one dog at a time from euthanasia.
Tennessee Death Row Dogs accepts donations via PayPal. Their PayPal name is [email protected].
Alternatively, you can donate directly to Deming Veterinary Services who works with the organization.
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