LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A local animal rescue organization is asking for the community’s help in keeping it on the road in order to save more pets.
Since 2004, Orphan Dog – led by Karen Schaver of Lakeport – has saved the lives of thousands of dogs.
The group takes in dogs from shelters in Lake and several other counties, as well as those surrendered directly to it by individuals.
Another of its initiatives, “Fix Lake County,” involves raising funds for spay and neuter clinics for the pets of low-income county residents.
But its latest fundraising effort is one of more immediate need: Schaver said they’re aiming to raise $30,000 for a new transport van.
The group’s current vehicle – which has more than 160,000 miles on it – has recently required thousands of dollars’ worth of repairs, leading the rescue to decide a replacement is in order, she said.
Schaver drives the vehicle thousands of miles each year, from trips around the county to pick up animals, to outreach for spay and neuter services, to transporting pets to out-of-county adoption events.
That current van has rescued more than 1,200 dogs and taken another 1,000 dogs to be donated, has traveled more than four counties on a weekly basis and through five states, Orphan Dog reported.
New and reliable transport also is needed as Orphan Dog has upcoming spay and neuter clinics that it has organized, with a major event planned for two days in June. If that event goes well, Schaver hopes to hold another in October.
After posting about the need for a new van on her organization’s Facebook page this weekend, Schaver received an outpouring of support – from good ideas for fundraising and looking for a new vehicle, to donations.
By Monday evening the organization reported that it had raised more than $5,800, and was just a few hundred dollars short of meeting a goal that would earn it a $2,000 match.
On the Orphan Dog Facebook page, Schaver thanked supporters for giving her group hope during a challenging situation.
The group still has a long way to go in securing its new van, and is asking community members to help them keep moving forward toward that goal.
To donate or to learn more about Orphan Dog, its mission and available animals, visit http://www.orphandog.org/ and follow it on Facebook.
Donations can be made on the organization’s Web site via PayPal or by sending a check to Orphan Dog, P.O. Box 662, Lakeport, CA 95453.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Orphan Dog launches fundraising effort for new rescue van
- Elizabeth Larson
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