Let's Build on Eight Great Years of Doing This Together
In 2015, concerned animal lovers of Hart County came together to form Animal Rescue Kare, since the county lacked a shelter and had no coordinated way to care for lost, unwanted, abused or neglected animals. Since then, with all of us working together, we’ve been able to operate a successful spay-neuter voucher program, Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) project for stray cats, Barn Cat program, Foster/adoption program, and educational outreach activities.
We promoted the establishment of the Hart County Animal Shelter and we are doing all we can to support its operations. The shelter deals with dogs only so ARK focuses its foster activities on cats. ARK volunteers continue our fundraising, our education and awareness campaigns, and our SNR program with its low-cost spay/neuter voucher sales. Our TNR program is also working to humanely trap, neuter and return cats to their outdoor colonies. We urge you to report the location of cat colonies for TNR. We use this information to assist our new coordinator for the TNR program.
Please refer dog surrender and dog foster-related questions to the Hart County Animal Shelter: 270-524-1692 telephone or hartanimalshelter@gmail.com by email.
Volunteer Positions for Improving Animal Welfare in our Community
We always in need of volunteers. Please consider working on one of ARK’s committees or tackling one of these important jobs.
** Jobs needed right now!
**Member of Board of Directors - help plan ARK’s activities and approve expenses as part of ARK’s working board.
Volunteer Coordinator - Work with new volunteers and committee chairs to find the perfect fit for everyone.
SNR Coordinator - Plan and coordinate the sale of ARK’s popular spay-neuter vouchers, working with local vets, volunteers, and the community.
Feline Foster Coordinator - Work with volunteer pet foster homes to accept cats and kittens into the program, arrange for necessary medical care including spay-neuter, advertise and promote adoptions.
Fundraising - Make sure ARK has the funds necessary to carry on its mission, working with volunteers and the community.
TNR Coordinator - Work with the public to locate and trap feral cats, arrange for spay-neuter, provide overnight care, and return them to their outdoor home or another suitable situation.
ARK Board Chair and Vice Chair - Coordinate ARK’s activities, serve on all committees, and manage monthly BOD meetings.
ARK Board Secretary - Take minutes at board meetings, and help publish the agenda.
ARK Board Treasurer - Keep accurate records of income and expenses, report to the board monthly and to the public at the annual meeting. Pay all bills in a timely manner.
**Communications Director - Make sure ARK’s interface with the public is positive, professional, and addresses our mission.
**Membership Coordinator - Keeps track of all donations made by members, donors, and sponsors. Sends out quarterly newsletters, membership materials, and timely reminders for membership renewal.
Technology Coordinator - Maintains and updates the ARK website, Facebook page, and Instragram account.
ARK Youth Ambassador Committee Chair - work with schools for informational programs and manage ARK’s Youth Ambassador program.
**Grant Writer - Seek out grant opportunities and write grants to help fulfill our mission.
**Hart County Animal Shelter Liaison - work with county officials and shelter staff to support the shelter with materials, volunteers, and ideas.
Treasurer’s Report for 2024 Membership Meeting
All programs were fully funded in 2023, thanks to the generosity of our donors, members, and sponsors. One limitation on spending was lack of available vets, but we were able to address that problem by partnering with the Leitchfield Veterinary Clinic. The good folks from LVC, BRAWA, and Dr. Green at Riverside Animal Clinic are treating animals from all our programs. We spent $44,694 on vet care in 2023 - our greatest expense, which is essential for our 3 major programs. Our next greatest expense was for shelter materials - over $29,000. Janet Kistler, ARK Treasurer
Fundraising income includes membership donations, memorial donations, sponsorships, events, merch, and the Dawgy Dash 5K, with expenses for hosting the events, printing, and postage.
Administration expenses are low at 2.7% of our total. Costs include insurance, website expenses, tax prep, PO Box, etc. There are no salaries or office expenses since we are an all-volunteer organization.
Spay-Neuter-Rabies income includes a grant from the Bissell Pet Foundation, targeted donations, and voucher sales. Expenses are printing and vet care.
Foster income is from adoption fees which help offset the cost of fostering and targeted donations. Expenses are for complete vet care, transportation, and pet supplies for the foster homes.
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) income is from donations by grateful homeowners and targeted donations. Expenses include vet care, supplies, and transportation.
Shelter income is from targeted donations. Expenses include fencing, kennels, washer/dryer and requests from individuals to use their donations for shelter supplies.
Click here for a look at ARK’s 2024 Budget.
