Published: May 06, 2009 10:26 pm      

One at a time

Group works to find homes for animals

ASHLAND — Dave Gillum says his wife is practically selling the clothes off his back to help save local animal shelter dogs.

Gillum, along with his wife Martha, several family members and a growing number of others have banded together to find homes for dogs that would otherwise have a limited remainder of days in their lives. They call their group AARF, which stands for Ashland Animal Rescue Foundation.

In the past few weeks they’ve rescued 15 dogs from the Boyd County Animal Shelter, paid for any medical attention needed and cared for them until new homes were found for each.

The dogs went to families in Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Vermont, New York and Connecticut, Gillum said.

The local shelter has an outstanding adoption rate, although most looking for a new dog want a puppy. That, Gillum said, is the reason AARF members try to save older dogs as well as those in need of medical attention.

As a private group seeking non-profit status, the money to pay for the animals’ needs comes directly from AARF members. Gillum said his wife has found a practical way to raise funds, although they may soon run out of resources for her.

“She decided to start selling slightly used clothing and purses on eBay. She has been keeping us in business on eBay,” he said, smiling and adding “She’s sold everything I own.”

Donations of items including new and used collars, lD blankets and other items for the eBay effort have been “keeping us afloat,” Gillum said. The AARF group also needs foster families to help care for dogs while recovering from medical care, in addition to financial donations. They also appreciate the assistance provided by people including Joe Barker, who Gillum said “has just picked up the ball and really helped out.”

“We try to rescue a broad spectrum of dogs,” Gillum said, explaining they visit the animal shelter, take photos of different dogs and send those images to a daughter in Cincinnati who “works out the details” and finds families that might be a good match for each.

AARF members typically spend $100 to $115 per dog to get them ready for adoption, Gillum said, noting a health certificate is required for each animal transported out of state.

The Gillums often meet their daughter, Amy Fogelman, in Maysville to transfer a dog to her custody.

Fogelman provided an update regarding the fate of a pregnant dog named Turtle, which was recently featured in a story about animals at the Boyd County Animal Shelter.

“Turtle and her pups went to Safe Haven in Cincinnati. Joyce Hutchinson founded Safe Haven and has taken several Boyd County dogs into rescue. Turtle is a wonderful mother to her pups and is a real joy to everyone she meets,” Fogelman wrote.

AARF members are also seeking a family for Duke, a five-year-old Basset Hound turned into the pound by his owners.

“We had a tumor removed from his mouth and he is undergoing heartworm treatment. Both procedures have been very expensive,” Fogelman said. “He is a wonderful dog; good with my other dogs and loves my children. He will be up for adoption at the end of May. We are fostering him until he gets better.”

Fogelman and Gillum agree there is only so much they can do, although they hope to do much more.

“While we are doing everything we can for the dogs in Boyd County, we cannot possibly save them all. The pound is always full, and though we have support from the shelter and rescues, the overpopulation is immense,” Fogelman said. “We hope that in the next few years, we will make a real difference in the number of euthanized companion pets but at this time, we have just begun.”

Donations to AARF can be made through Ashland Animal Clinic. For more information, e-mail ashlandanimalrescuefund@gmail.com.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.