Hello Villagers! It’s been a while! I hope you’re all doing well and staying safe during these unprecedented times. I’ve been so amazed at the positive and pro-active ways you have all answered the calls to help rescues here at ITV. When the shelter in place order was issued, our directors, employees and experienced volunteers have stepped up in so many ways to ensure operations could continue safely. We were one of the only shelters in the local region continuing intake, fostering and adoptions. Yes- just imagine how busy it has been behind the doors inside the teal building painted with dogs on Stockwell Rd!
Most things in the world have come to a standstill. However, dog rescue never stops. Not even during a pandemic! Thank you to each and everyone who initially came out during our emergency call to get the rescues in our shelter into a foster home. Your outpouring of care and concern started us off with huge smiles. As a seven year volunteer, I’ve never seen our shelter house so few dogs! It truly was an amazing accomplishment. Knowing dogs who previously could not get fostered or adopted were now in a temporary foster made all of very happy. What a difference it made to ITV operations. Now, just imagine one of those shelter dogs- who continually begged visitors for adoption- in a loving home getting all the treatment deserved!
In the last several months, there have still been many obstacles to overcome. One morning, our director arrived early at ITV. Tied to the pole of the building was a dog. Dumped and exposed to the elements and predators, our director immediately took action. Diesel got a lot of media attention and the community was outraged. ITV found a foster for Diesel. We are happy to report that Diesel is being loved and well-cared for by his foster family. As soon as Diesel is neutered and completes ITV vetting protocol, he will be adopted by his fosters. No more transitions and no more stress for this sweet dog. Diesel is living his best life, and this positive outcome is what makes us keep moving forwarded each and every day.
Currently, our operations are quite different, but reaping the same rewards. Busy bees are working behind the scenes answering emails, reviewing applications and returning phone calls. However, with the influx of so many emails and calls, the response time has been delayed a bit. Each day is different but our instructions are the same. Our Facebook page is listing dogs, cats, and kittens needing foster and adoption. If you are interested in any rescue, please go to our website: ITVRescue.org or follow the prompts from the page. The menu drop box houses our foster and adoption applications. In order to start the process to foster or adopt, one of the applications must be completed, sent and approved. From that start, you will receive a call or email reply and be advised of the next step. We appreciate everyone’s patience. As I’ve stated, our volume is extremely high and we are doing our very best to reply in a timely manner as we still have animals to care for at the rescue. Everyday the rescue looks different as rescues come in, go to foster and unfortunately sometimes returned. Be assured our kennel staff is giving top quality care to each ITV rescue.
This pandemic has affected everyone. If you are having a financially tough time right now, we are donating dog and cat food to help you keep your fur babies fed and safe at home with you. Please email info@itvrescue.org and a representative will be certain you can feed your pets. ITV Rescue’s Mission is “To work as one in helping homeless animals irrespective of breed, location or circumstance.” As the pandemic has changed some household finances, it has also changed ours. Several of our large fundraisers have been cancelled as have most of our dine outs. If you can spare any type of donation, we will gratefully accept it. We still have our normal bills to pay and with the larger number of rescues in our care, our vet bills are growing each and every day. We have a donation link on our website at ITVrescue.org/donate, accept through pay pal at Paypal.me/ITVrescue, or you can mail your donation to 1417 N Stockwell Road Evansville IN. We are a non profit organization and all donations are tax-deductible. Also, watch for an upcoming online auction and other fundraisers on our Facebook page.
ITV is still going strong and trying very hard to be of assistance to all inquiries. We appreciate your support and patience. You can still see an ITV dog Thursday on EYEWITNESS NOON Pet Of The Week segment, and on WJLT radio Facebook page. Please know we wake up each day knowing there are animals needing our help and we will continue to answer those calls. Should you need anything, please send information to our email for the most prompt reply. If you’ve never fostered and can house and give love to a dog or cat in need, please complete an application now at ITVrescue.org. During this stressful time, it is free to foster and it’s a win/win situation. If now is a good time to add a paw friend to your household, watch our page for available animals, then complete an adoption application. Our shelter is not open to the public currently, but we look forward to opening our doors again with limited capacity on May 12, 2020. We are doing foster, adoption and anything needed by appointment only until we open again. This keeps us and you safe while we can still find homes for the poor animals getting shuffled during this difficult time. As a longtime volunteer foster and volunteer, I guarantee we will keep going! Until All Paws Have A Home! Until next time...
Blessings,
Lori
