(Friends of DeKalb County Animal Adoption Center)
By Tyler Pruett, Managing Editor
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — On Saturday, October 14, the Friends of DeKalb County Animal Adoption Center will hold their first annual "Run for Rescue," 5K run/walk and 1 mile Kid's Run/Walk to raise money for the organization.
The Friends of DeKalb County Animal Adoption Center (Friends of DCAAC) is a small group of volunteers who's mission is to improve visibility and increase awareness of the countless number of abandoned and homeless animals in DeKalb County, with the ultimate goal being to find these animals a home. Friends of DCAAC is 501c3 non-profit group.
Many confuse the organization with the Animal Adoption Center itself, but the group is a separate entity that was formed to help the pets of the shelter.
Lesley Spurgin, Friends of DCAAC President, said this is the first year for the event and the first big fundraising event the organization has put on.
"We've had small fundraisers in the past, we've done some online auctions, and things like that," said Spurgin. "We've done small events, where we have a booth and informational things on the shelter, we might do a raffle on a gift card, and T-shirt sales.... This is our first big event, so it's new for us, but we are hoping it will be a success," said Spurgin.
According to Spurgin, the shelter receives 300 - 400 animals per month. The shelter has limited space, meaning that the large intake of animals forces the shelter to euthanize animals that aren't adopted. Friends of DCAAC helps find these animals a home, and sometimes fosters the animals until they can find a home. The funds raised through events such as the "Run for Rescue" helps the group do as much as they can.
"We're hoping that with the 5K that we can raise enough funds to do more for the shelter pets and also help with spay/neuter assistance programs in our area. Part of the funds will be donated to Daisy Spay and the Human Society/Animal Resources of DeKalb; they both do spay/neuter assistance programs for the county.
Spurgin also explained the importance of the Spay/Neuter services to the to shelter and organization:
"Without the spaying and neutering, our volunteer group basically is constantly fostering dogs from the shelter, sending them to no-kill rescues, and those spaces that we empty keep filling up. We keep fostering and fostering and the pets just keep coming in," she explained. "We're fighting a losing battle."
"There aren't a lot of options in this area when it comes to spay/neutering. You have to drive an hour or longer to get to a spay/neuter clinic," Spurgin added.
Pre-registration for the "Run for Rescue" is $25 for the 5K, and $12.50 for the one mile race. Morning-off registration will be $30 for the 5K, and $15 for the one mile. Runners can register at: https://racesonline.com/events/run-for-rescue5k/registration/2017/credit/view/default
The group has several business and organizational sponsors already for the event. Alfa Insurance, Collinsville Health and Rehab, First State Bank, Holiday Inn in Fort Payne, Kilgore Pharmacy, The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, and many more have donated. Runners who register also enter for a chance to win a TreeLine Cooler donated by Fort Payne Tractor Supply. Applebees, Cracker Barrel, and Zaxby's also donated for the event. Dollywood had even donated two tickets to giveaway and help the event be a success.
The organization will have their normal Fall online auction, which will last a week and be done through the group's Facebook page. Spurgin says they haven't set a date for the auction yet, but promotion will begin for the fundraiser once the 5K has concluded.
The group is also working on putting in air conditioning in the shelter. So far, money has been raised and two air conditioning units have been purchased, but the group still needs funds to install the air conditioners. An HVAC contractor has been found to do the installation, but the project will need, "more than just an HVAC guy."
"We're in the process of filling out a grant to help with some of the costs," said Spurgin, but, "we'll also have to have an electrician and a woodworking contractor."
If you are or you know a contractor that might be willing to donate the work, contact the group at (256)304-0474 or via their Facebook page.
To view pets that are up for adoption at the DeKalb County Animal Shelter, visit: http://www.adoptapet.com/adoption_rescue/97416.html
Follow the Friends of the DeKalb County Animal Adoption Center on Facebook: https://racesonline.com/events/run-for-rescue5k/registration/2017/credit/view/default
Follow and share the Facebook event at: https://www.facebook.com/FODCAACRUN/
Follow the group on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofDCAAC/
