Humane Society of Jefferson County Rolling Once Again

Animal Shelter Vans InsideImagine having a van full of animals. You’re on the way to take them to another location, so they can find their “furrever” home.  Just as you’re cruising along, suddenly the van breaks down, and you’re stuck on the side of the road with the animals you have in tow.  It’s hot, you’re scared, the animals are scared, and you’re not sure when help is going to arrive.

This has been the plight of the Humane Society of Jefferson County for quite some time.  The Rescue Transport vans that they use to take their animals to other shelters throughout the country have been in bad shape for some time.  Recently the engine in one of their transport vans blew, rendering the vehicle inoperable and beyond repair. That’s until now.

With the help of the community and Rusty Wallace Ford in Dandridge, the Humane Society has been able to get not one, but two transport vans.  The vans will be used to move animals to other shelters, to better match them to their new adoptive parents. The main shelter that they go to is one in Ohio, since the partnered shelter in New Jersey had a major fire last summer.  The vans will also be used  to help meet vet appointments and other needs that the animals may have.

Although the vans are a great blessing to the Humane Society, there is a catch.  They need to be paid for, and maintenance for the vans isn’t cheap.  There are many ways the community can help.  Humane Society of Jefferson County is taking donations; those wishing to make a donation towards the vans need to make sure the money is specified as going to the “Vehicle Fund.” They are also selling sponsorships, which will be placed on the side of the transport vans. Another way that the community can help is by attending  the Benefit Car Show.  The car show will be held at Dandridge Automotive on June 17.  Registration will open at 10 a.m. There is also a “GoFundMe” page for the vans, at https://www.gofundme.com/drive-for-animal-rescue.

For more information on how you can help, and updates on the progress, join the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/driveforanimalrescue/

Source: Angie Stanley, Jefferson County Post Staff Writer