ROCKINGHAM — “My money tree is dead. Our fosters are full. Our boarding and vets bills are overdue and maxed out. I am mentally exhausted.”

These are the words of Allison Sweatt, director of Richmond County Animal Advocates, a group of local residents trying to help shelter pets find their forever homes while working with the Richmond County Animal Shelter.

Unfortunately, Sweatt says she’s at the end of the proverbial rope at the moment.

“We do not have the funds or places to put anymore animals,” she said. “We are on hold until further notice. We have close to $10,000 in bills due. This is what happens when rescues fall through, donations are down and volunteers are burned out.”

The hole that Sweatt and her group are in is because of about 35 dogs that were pulled, she said and has caused the animal advocates to wind up in a money pit. She said the mass rescue seemed like a good idea at the time because the shelter was full and Sweatt was confident advocates could move the dogs quickly.

That didn’t happen, however, and that conundrum coupled with vet bills has Sweatt paying off overdue bills with her own credit card.

“We found when we pull dogs we have to quarantine them. Other shelters won’t take them unless they’ve been quarantined,” she said. “We’ve got to protect ourselves so we can keep helping the shelter. All dogs have to be treated for heartworms. Our cats are costing us anywhere between $100 and $200 to vet because we microchip them, fix them, but we know we can’t adopt them out for what we’re paying for them.”

Because Sweatt’s group doesn’t have a building of its own, advocates work very closely with the animal shelter. The problem, she said, is that the summer months lead to more people abandoning their pets.

“People go on vacation and don’t want to deal with their pets. The shelter numbers show that,” said Sweatt.

Too many unwanted pets has caused the money problem. The solution, Sweatt hopes, are a couple of fundraisers coming up that could alleviate the financial burden.

On Aug. 8, the Richmond County Animal Advocates will continue their Caturday event at Mercantile on Broad where a donated carport will be raffled off. Sweatt said they plan to host this event on the first Saturday of every month at the store.

Another fundraiser coming up in the next couple of months will take place at the Hive Recreation Center on Mill Road in Rockingham and will coincide with sociable art, a new trend that’s become popular in Richmond County. Those participating in this event will be able to paint a portrait of a cat and a dog.

Animal Advocates has also joined in on the crowdfunding wave by joining a website called youcaring.com in hopes of raising some extra cash. The group has set a limit of $8,000, but Sweatt said the more it can raise, the better.

She said there will be a Yankee Candle catalog sale starting Sept. 3 online, but pre-orders can be made now for anyone interested.

Sweatt has created several opportunities for those who care and are concerned to help dogs and cats get the help they need. It takes more than just money, though, said Sweatt.

“We need more volunteers to expand this. We need some fosters,” she said. “If we can get (pets) to foster homes, they can finish heartworm treatment at home. Basically I front the money with my credit card to pay for whatever they need. That’s the only way we’ve been able to make it. When summertime hits, everybody wants to get rid of their animals, and nobody has any money.

“This summer, I’ve been doing a lot of pet-sitting. I haven’t had time to do anything. We’ve converted my back bedroom into a cat room. If anyone wants to adopt, someone can come to my house and meet the cat and adopt.”

PayPal donations can be made to [email protected], checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 2652, Rockingham, NC 28380 or those interested in helping can call Cooley’s Veterinary Hospital on U.S. 74 at 910-895-2426 and make a payment on the Richmond County Animal Advocates’ bills.

“All donations are tax-deductible,” said Sweatt. “We have to get out of the hole we are in so we can continue helping the shelter.”

Reach reporter Matt Harrelson at 910-817-2674 and follow him on Twitter @mattyharrelson.

Contributed photo Richmond County Animal Advocates Director Allison Sweatt, right, shows off Beasley with Hanna Marks, rescue coordinator and adoption liaison for the Humane Society of Richmond County at the Richmond County Animal Shelter on U.S. 74 in Rockingham.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_Sweatt.jpgContributed photo Richmond County Animal Advocates Director Allison Sweatt, right, shows off Beasley with Hanna Marks, rescue coordinator and adoption liaison for the Humane Society of Richmond County at the Richmond County Animal Shelter on U.S. 74 in Rockingham.

By Matt Harrelson

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