Let's Build on Eleven 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 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. Sign up here. Please consider working on one of ARK’s committees or tackling one of these important jobs.
Get started volunteering! Work with any committee – lend a hand at events, help raise funds, assist with tech, help with foster program, volunteer at the shelter, etc.
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. Assist pet owners with other needs and adoptions.
Fundraising/Development - Make sure ARK has the funds necessary to carry out 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.
Communications Director - Make sure ARK’s interface with the public is positive, professional, and addresses our mission.
Membership Coordinator - Keep track of all donations made by members, donors, and sponsors. Send out quarterly newsletters, membership materials, and timely reminders for membership renewal.
Technology Coordinator - Maintain and update the ARK website, Facebook page, and Instagram account.
ARK Education Committee - work with schools for informational programs.
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.
Serve on Board of Directors - help plan ARK’s activities and approve expenses as part of ARK’s working board. Board members administer and coordinate our various programs. Board members are elected for a 3-year term, with 9 members serving in all.
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.
ARK’s Treasurer’s Report for 2025
All of ARK’s programs were fully funded in 2025, thanks to the generosity of donors, members, and sponsors. As usual, our greatest expense was for vet care: $63,140. Our 3 big programs require medical care including spay-neuter and rabies shots: low-cost Spay-Neuter-Rabies (SNR) voucher sales to the general public, Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) for stray cats, and foster pet care. Another big expense went to the assist the Hart County Animal Shelter with a concrete pad to improve drainage and prevent disease. That cost $8,120. We also help the shelter with volunteers, publicity, and fundraising.
Income came from donations/memberships, sponsorships, interest on the CD, adoption fees, voucher purchases, 5K race fees, and merch sales. ARK was awarded a $1,000 grant for spay-neuter in 2025 from the Central Kentucky Community Foundation, but funds won't be used until 2026. We plan to use the grant to fund low-cost ($10) cat vouchers for low-income residents, in cooperation with the Community Action Agency. Adoption fees partially cover the cost of foster care. Voucher sales pay for a small portion of the spay-neuter costs. Expenses exceed income for those two programs.
In addition to vet fees, expenses include foster care, printing, mailing, website costs, accounting needs, educational materials/experiences, insurance, and other miscellaneous expenses. We look forward to another year of helping our furry friends, with your support.
Janet Kistler, ARK Treasurer
Click here to see ARK’s 2025 Annual Report Click to see ARK’s 2026 Budget
