MARF in ‘dire’ need of money
The foundation is currently looking for volunteers and foster homes to reduce the costs of boarding animals.
The Madison Animal Rescue Foundation (MARF) is in desperate need of financial help.
According to the foundation’s President and Founder, Micki Bennett, MARF needs $25,000 to pay veterinarian bills. Bennett said MARF’s bills average $6,000 to $8,000 per month.
“We have taken in 700 animals this year. That’s almost double our intake last year,” Bennett said. “The economy seems to have more and more people either abandoning their animals or wanting to turn them in to us. We don’t have enough fosters for all of the animals and have to pay to board many of them while waiting for an open foster or to be adopted.”
MARF’s donations are “drastically” down from last year, according to Bennett. She said increased costs and reduced donations have put them in dire straits.
“We will have to stop taking in the animals due to be euthanized at Madison Animal Control,” she said.
Bennett gave two reasons why she thinks MARF has seen such a large influx of animals recently.
“People know who we are, and they know that we take every animal from animal control, so they are more willing to turn in animals knowing it will end up safe with us,” she said. “Secondly, so many people are losing their jobs, and many cases, their homes. They are forced to give up their beloved pets because they simply have no choice.”
The foundation is currently looking for volunteers and foster homes to reduce the costs of boarding animals.
“We need to be planning more fundraisers, but don’t have the manpower to do it,” she said.
MARF has saved more than 1,100 animals in two years. Bennett is asking the community to donate time, money and possibly a home to assist MARF in better caring for the area’s animals.
MARF is funded100 percent by donations and fundraising. Bennett said all funds go toward animal care costs and public awareness.
MARF holds an adoption event from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. every Saturday at Pet Depot on Highway 72.
To donate, foster, adopt or volunteer, visit MadisonARF.org.
