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April 21, 2004
Rimrock Humane Society Announces Operation Homeward Bound
The Rimrock Humane Society has announced the launching of Operation
Homeward Bound - A Campaign of Compassion for Homeless Animals. The
goal of the two-year campaign is to raise $200,000 for the creation
of the Society’s first animal shelter.
"We have already raised $30,000 toward our goal." stated Rimrock’s
President Sandy Church. "We will use this money to create a place
of refuge for abandoned, abused and injured animals who otherwise would
perish," she added.
Up to this time, Rimrock has existed as a network of foster homes providing
care for as many animals as space would allow. According to Church,
"there are never enough foster homes available to care for all
the animals that so desperately need our assistance. As well, it is
difficult to facilitate the viewing of our animals by prospective adopters
when the animals are housed in private homes located within a wide area.
Our new facility will enable us to provide a haven for many more animals
than we have ever been able to care for in the past, and it will serve
as a perfect place for families seeking to adopt a pet to come and play
with the animals and find the perfect one for them."
Church expects the facility to become a popular destination for scouting,
school and other youth groups, who will come to visit the animals and
learn about compassion, love, respect and responsibility. "We want
to teach children compassion and respect for all animals and to encourage
them to become future advocates for animal welfare," she stated.
The new facility will provide a venue for a variety of education and
outreach programs intended to extend the message of compassion for all
animals throughout the region. "It will enable us to expand our
volunteer program and involve many more local children and adults in
the care of animals," Church added. "Above all, it will provide
a haven for desperate animals who deserve a second chance at a happy,
safe, and comfortable life."
According to Church, the Society serves a state and a region of desperate
need. "Rural Montana has a long history of neglect, ill-treatment
and needless overpopulation of animals," she says. "A lack
of cultural traditions that favor animal protection, and the presence
of only minimal community awareness of the importance of spay/neuter
programs in helping to prevent animal overpopulation, worsen the problems
of animal abuse in our region."
"Our mission is to alleviate needless, inhumane suffering of animals
and to bring to our region a higher level of compassion for the creatures
who share our planet with us but who otherwise have no voice,"
Church stated. "We want to contribute to a satisfying quality of
life for all of our residents, humans and animals alike."
When Operation Homeward Bound concludes in two years, the Society plans
to assess the amount of money raised and give careful consideration
to whether the funds can best be spent buying an existing building that
meets their needs or erecting a new building. "Rather than committing
now to one of these two options, we prefer to wait until our campaign
is complete before we decide which plan will make maximum use of our
funds," said Church.
Church hopes regional residents, businesses and civic groups will rally
around the campaign and make it a huge success through their tax-deductible
contributions. "We welcome donations in any amount," she says,
"and gifts of stocks or property would also be greatly appreciated."
Pledges to make part of a donation this year and the remainder in 2005
would be gladly accepted. Businesses who would like to become an official
sponsor of the campaign can receive special recognition in the RHS’s
mailings and in the new facility by making a contribution of funds or
goods and services. Several opportunities exist for large donors to
have their contributions acknowledged through the naming of segments
of the new facility after them or in memory of someone (or of a beloved
pet) of their choosing.
For more information about the Rimrock Humane Society and Operation
Homeward Bound, call Sandy Church at 406-323-3687 or email her at wschurch@midrivers.com
The Society’s web site can be found at: www.rimrockhumanesociety.org.
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Copyright
© 2003-2005 Rimrock Humane Society
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