Many thanks to the 50+ folks who joined move to ACT at the Milano Inn on December 7 to support Rescue Rally and the efforts of small, all-volunteer rescue groups! We’re especially glad that city-county councilors Zach Adamson and Christine Scales could join us. These two have been vital voices on the Council, keeping a spotlight on the issue of critical resources that the city administration continually denies Animal Care & Control.
Special thanks also to the Milano Inn, which donated a portion of the evening’s profits to Rescue Rally, and to their staff: Chef John White, who prepared a spectacular buffet, and servers Angela, Lauren, Nolan, Kevin and J.J., who performed admirably. Harpist Elizabeth Ahlgrim provided wonderful dinner music — thank you, Elizabeth!
This annual event raises funds and awareness for the under-recognized, all-volunteer rescue organization in Indianapolis. Nine such groups are competing in Rescue Rally 2014, and these nine groups have already rescued 688 animals in the first 11 months of the year. Here are the figures from IACC:
ARPO – 232
Casa del Toro – 47
Critters Chance – 54
Every Dog Counts -121
IndyCLAW – 21
Love of Labs Indy – 12
Lucky Dog Retreat Rescue – 91
Mended Hearts – 91
Tails and Trails – 19
These 688 animals represent 12.5% of the 5,496 live transfers out of IACC between January 1 and November 30 — an impressive effort by these small rescues with no paid staff!
Large animal welfare organizations enjoy high-profile branding and name recognition. They often have the political clout to lure sponsorship and large donations from multi-million dollar foundations and corporations.
Small groups like those competing in Rescue Rally lack such advantages, but their life-saving efforts are making a real difference.
The goal of both? That no healthy or treatable animal should die for convenience, space, or lack of resources.
Acting together…..creating results.