A modern plan for animals in Mobile
November 2021
Dear Mobile,
Thank you for your support of ARF and the animals! We are updating our mission to help more animals. We can’t do this without you! Our goal has always been to rescue as many animals as possible and help connect them to loving, permanent homes. To continue to do this and leverage donations effectively, we are shifting our mission to focus on supporting and enhancing the lives of animals at the City of Mobile Animal Shelter and the surrounding communities.
Our work will include:
The last few years have brought many changes, from navigating COVID to maintaining a building way past its prime. The challenges of continuing to maintain our brick-and-mortar location on Rangeline far exceed the benefits. The diminished capacity of our building means we’re taking less animals while averaging a significantly higher cost per animal because of operational overhead.
As national rescue organizations shift away from brick-and-mortar shelters to more community-based care, it’s time for a change. The shift will involve closing ARF’s current location on Rangeline by the end of the year and adopting out the 90 animals currently in our care at our shelter and in foster. We strongly believe this shift will allow us to impact more animals for the better. Donors like you have always been pivotal to this, and we sincerely hope you’ll continue to support ARF in our mission.
Theo’s Story
While some things may change (like our physical location), many things will stay the same. The dollars you donate will continue to go toward funding medical care, shelter enrichment, and other innovative programs that help improve the lives of stray animals in our community.
A prime example of the ways your continued support will help is Theo. This little pup was picked up by the City shelter’s Animal Control with a broken elbow and leg. Through your donations, ARF was able to connect him to a foster and get him to our vet for ongoing care. Several weeks of rest, a splint, x-rays, and a specialty orthopedic consult later, and Theo is now in the clear! He may not be the fastest runner ever, but he’s doing much better and is now up for adoption. Theo is just one example of how the growing partnership between ARF and the City Animal Shelter will benefit the animals in our community.
We Sincerely Thank You!
Through your generosity, ARF has been saving the lives of thousands of animals in our community since 1995. Our long-term vision will ensure we can continue to be an animal welfare resource for decades to come. Your support means the world to us, and all the animals who have found their forever homes as a result. Follow us on Facebook @arfmobile to see the most up-to-date information about our new programs and initiatives.
Dear Mobile,
Thank you for your support of ARF and the animals! We are updating our mission to help more animals. We can’t do this without you! Our goal has always been to rescue as many animals as possible and help connect them to loving, permanent homes. To continue to do this and leverage donations effectively, we are shifting our mission to focus on supporting and enhancing the lives of animals at the City of Mobile Animal Shelter and the surrounding communities.
Our work will include:
- Providing and funding enrichment and support to the animals at the municipal shelter (such as extra walks and time spent with volunteers, toys, new bedding, etc.)
- Dedicating resources to help shelter pets find their families via adoption events, sponsorships, and more
- Offering innovative programs to help keep pets in their homes (such as training, education, food banks, supplies, etc.)
- Funding medical care, heartworm treatment, or surgeries for animals with specialized health needs at the shelter
- Supporting volunteer and foster programs at the shelter
The last few years have brought many changes, from navigating COVID to maintaining a building way past its prime. The challenges of continuing to maintain our brick-and-mortar location on Rangeline far exceed the benefits. The diminished capacity of our building means we’re taking less animals while averaging a significantly higher cost per animal because of operational overhead.
As national rescue organizations shift away from brick-and-mortar shelters to more community-based care, it’s time for a change. The shift will involve closing ARF’s current location on Rangeline by the end of the year and adopting out the 90 animals currently in our care at our shelter and in foster. We strongly believe this shift will allow us to impact more animals for the better. Donors like you have always been pivotal to this, and we sincerely hope you’ll continue to support ARF in our mission.
Theo’s Story
While some things may change (like our physical location), many things will stay the same. The dollars you donate will continue to go toward funding medical care, shelter enrichment, and other innovative programs that help improve the lives of stray animals in our community.
A prime example of the ways your continued support will help is Theo. This little pup was picked up by the City shelter’s Animal Control with a broken elbow and leg. Through your donations, ARF was able to connect him to a foster and get him to our vet for ongoing care. Several weeks of rest, a splint, x-rays, and a specialty orthopedic consult later, and Theo is now in the clear! He may not be the fastest runner ever, but he’s doing much better and is now up for adoption. Theo is just one example of how the growing partnership between ARF and the City Animal Shelter will benefit the animals in our community.
We Sincerely Thank You!
Through your generosity, ARF has been saving the lives of thousands of animals in our community since 1995. Our long-term vision will ensure we can continue to be an animal welfare resource for decades to come. Your support means the world to us, and all the animals who have found their forever homes as a result. Follow us on Facebook @arfmobile to see the most up-to-date information about our new programs and initiatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I’m fostering a dog or cat for ARF, will this change?
All the animals in our foster program will continue to be promoted and supported until we can find loving homes for them. We’ll still have adoption events and provide food and medical care (through our vet) until your ARFan gets adopted. For hospice, special needs, or senior dogs who are in permanent foster homes, we will continue to support these animals indefinitely.
For volunteers (dog walkers, cattery shifts, etc.), should I continue to sign up and come to ARF?
Yes, our normal shifts will continue as long as we have animals at ARF.
Once ARF closes its Rangeline location, how or can I continue to foster or volunteer?
Yes! There will still be plenty of ways to volunteer directly at ARF or through the City Animal Shelter (to walk dogs, socialize the cats, etc). In addition, ARF will continue to hold fundraisers like Woofstock and Wiggle Waggle as well as sponsor adoption events to assist the municipal shelter. We’ll always need volunteers to help with these things, and we hope you’re volunteer your time and talents as we develop new programs.
How and should I continue to donate to ARF?
Yes, please! We’ll continue to need your support as we make this transition and offer new and exciting programs to help the animals. You can still donate directly to ARF through our website, Facebook page, or via mail. Every cent helps, and we appreciate it. Thank you for all you do!
.
All the animals in our foster program will continue to be promoted and supported until we can find loving homes for them. We’ll still have adoption events and provide food and medical care (through our vet) until your ARFan gets adopted. For hospice, special needs, or senior dogs who are in permanent foster homes, we will continue to support these animals indefinitely.
For volunteers (dog walkers, cattery shifts, etc.), should I continue to sign up and come to ARF?
Yes, our normal shifts will continue as long as we have animals at ARF.
Once ARF closes its Rangeline location, how or can I continue to foster or volunteer?
Yes! There will still be plenty of ways to volunteer directly at ARF or through the City Animal Shelter (to walk dogs, socialize the cats, etc). In addition, ARF will continue to hold fundraisers like Woofstock and Wiggle Waggle as well as sponsor adoption events to assist the municipal shelter. We’ll always need volunteers to help with these things, and we hope you’re volunteer your time and talents as we develop new programs.
How and should I continue to donate to ARF?
Yes, please! We’ll continue to need your support as we make this transition and offer new and exciting programs to help the animals. You can still donate directly to ARF through our website, Facebook page, or via mail. Every cent helps, and we appreciate it. Thank you for all you do!
.
We invite you to join us as we take these next steps!
Our Board of Directors would love to hear from you.
We're always available at: [email protected]
Our Board of Directors would love to hear from you.
We're always available at: [email protected]