By Katie Scarvey
kscarvey@salisburypost.com
Day by day, the Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary comes closer to being a reality.
In the meantime, Faithful Friends volunteers continue to foster animals at their homes.
Every two weeks, Faithful Friends volunteer Rik Hodge sends out a list of animals to the members of the group, and the Post publishes the photos of animals that are being fostered and need adopting.
That’s how Cara Reische and her husband Jon Palmer found out about Mo, who was being fostered by Pat and Bobby Gass.
Faithful Friends president Anne Ingram says that every time the list goes out, two or three animals are adopted.
Faithful Friends is looking for more people to foster animals, since they get four or five calls every day from people who have animals that need a home. There are limited funds, however, for vet care, she points out.
The group is looking forward to breaking ground on its no-kill animal shelter, which will care for abused and abandoned dogs and cats, with the goal of adopting most of them out.
The plans for the shelter, done by architect Jon Palmer ó part of Mo’s adopted family ó have been approved. Ingram says that in the best case scenario, groundbreaking will happen between July and August.
The 5,200-square foot facility on Grace Church Road will have 34 dog kennels and space for up to 50 cats.
A combined campaign to raise money for capital and operational expenses is underway, Ingram says.
Right now, the group has about $310,000 in cash and about $200,000 in land equity.
“We’d like to raise $650,000,” Ingram says, “so we’re close to halfway there.”
Ingram says she’d like to acknowledge the generosity of the Margaret C. Woodson Foundation, which recently gave the group a $25,000 grant, as well as the Lucille Proctor Foundation, which gave a $5,000 grant.
Faithful Friends raised about $19,000 at a silent auction March 7 at the F&M Trolley Barn in Salisbury.
Faithful Friends is currently planning a Pick of the Litter yard sale for Saturday, June 6, to raise funds for the shelter.
Ingram says that the group will be happy to pick up items if need be.
If you have items to donate, you can call 704-633-1722 or e-mail specialevent@faithfulfriendsnc.org.
The event will be held rain or shine at the Lutheran Church parking lot (the old K-town parking lot) at the corner of North Fulton and West Innes streets.
In an ongoing fundraising effort, Faithful Friends has been collecting cans, with many businesses and individuals participating, as well as Boy Scout, Girl Scout and church groups.
The group’s big “Paws in the Park” fundraiser is set for September, as is “Sasha’s Birthday Party” at The Stitchin’ Post. Carolina Lily is planning a Halloween Party fundraiser.
For more information, go to www.faithfulfriendsnc.org.