Partnership for Animals in Athens-Limestone, a nonprofit animal rescue that sits near Nuclear Plant Road in Tanner, is looking to expand its services with the creation of an affordable spay/neuter clinic in the near future.
Anna Leigh Hurst and Priscilla Blenkinsopp, co-owners of Bark Avenue Pet Resort and co-directors of Creating Hope for Paws, announced the plans for the clinic at their special event Thursday, July 25.
“We were able to raise a little bit of money at the event which will help us achieve our goal of getting this valuable service here for Limestone County,” Hurst said. “We are hoping to target those owners who can’t afford spays and neuters with their regular vets, giving them a safe and low cost option.”
Hurst, the president of PAALS, mentioned that all the donations they get will help them fund the future clinic which will hopefully cut down on the intake of dogs and cats at their animal shelter.
“We get calls everyday with people who want to turn in litters of puppies and kittens, so hopefully this clinic will allow us to cut down on that number,” Blenkinsopp said. “Right now, we are trying to not only get the word out that we are here, but that we are here to help and serve those that can’t afford it.”
The pair has also worked to open Mimi and Macy’s Thrift Store, right next to Bark Avenue Pet Resort, in which all proceeds will go to funding their nonprofit Creating Hope for Paws and growing their animal rescue endeavors.
“If people have any items they are looking to get rid of, they can also donate that to us and we will try and sell that to benefit the animals,” Hurst said.
Bark Avenue Pet Resort serves as the nonprofit’s animal boarding and rescue facility. According to Hurst they have 20 indoor and outdoor spots for their dogs, as well as six suites.
“The suits are totally enclosed with a glass door for our dogs that struggle with anxiety,” Hurst said. “We have six patios as well where we take them out to run around and use the bathroom.”
The boarding facility can currently hold up to 32 single dogs, but Hurst said if the dogs are compatible with each other they can hold multiple in each spot if required. According to Hurst, they currently have about 20 dogs in the rescue part of their facility.
“We were fortunate to have three of our rescues get adopted, but we still have five puppies from the last litter we got off the street,” Hurst said. “When we get calls about rescue we try to help as much as we can, but it can get hard when it is full. We also use foster families to try and help out with getting a dog into a home until they are adopted.”
For more information on how to adopt, donate or offer volunteer help with Bark Avenue Pet Resort and Creating Hope for Paws, please visit www.chfprescue.com or call (256)-233-4343.
“We did this to make a difference, we wouldn’t do this if we didn’t think what we were doing wasn’t as important as it is,” Hurst said. “We know this community has always supported each other, and the pets and animals of this community need that same support.”