Jasper Animal Rescue Mission Awarded ASPCA Hurricane Relief Grant
Jasper Animal Rescue Mission has received a $3,500 disaster relief grant awarded by the ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) to help defray the costs incurred by Hurricane Matthew when it evacuated nearly 200 shelter animals to safety, with many being transported to shelters in northern states. After Matthew hit, their shelter based in Jasper County lost its power and the shelter remained closed for more than a week.
“Months after Hurricane Matthew, we are still feeling its impact,” said Caitlyn Schake, Executive Director of Jasper Animal Rescue Mission. “Evacuating hundreds of animals caused great financial strain—we had to vaccinate, microchip and provide health certificates for each animal. We also lost more than a week’s worth of adoption fees and donations, which we rely on to operate. Many people in the area lost everything during Matthew, so we’re still experiencing decreased adoptions and donations.”
The ASPCA disaster relief grant will defray the costs of veterinary supplies used during the evacuation of animals. The ASPCA also assisted with the evacuation by transporting 60 of the cats at Jasper Animal Rescue Mission to northern shelters.
“When it comes to natural disasters, animal shelters should always plan for the worst case scenario,” said Matt Stern, Senior Director of ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Group Operations. “Hundreds of animal lives were on the line, and Jasper Animal Rescue Mission went to great lengths to keep them safe. We’re glad they took these precautions and hope our grant will ease some of the costs spent removing animals from Matthew’s path.”
To make a donation to Jasper Animal Rescue Mission, visit: http://jarmission.org/donate/.
Organizations can apply for an ASPCA disaster relief grant here: http://aspcapro.org/grant/2013/02/13/emergency-and-disaster-grants.
Jasper Animal Rescue Mission is a 501(C) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to the stray and neglected dogs and cats of Jasper County, South Carolina. For more information, please visit www.jarmission.org.