Over the years, Angels of Assisi in Roanoke, Virginia has helped over 10,000 homeless animals find their forever homes. Now, they’re getting some major help in return.
Announced Monday, the nonprofit animal shelter has been awarded a hefty $500,000 grant from the Petco Love Foundation. The funds will help the shelter create a new building in Roanoke, which is estimated to cost about $3 million.
The team couldn’t be any more grateful for the money, as it will help more animals in need find their forever homes and also help community members keep their pets for a lifetime.
“It helps us keep more people with their pets and help more pets in this community,” said Dana Reynolds, director of communications for the shelter. “The new facility is going to be even larger. We’re going to go from two exam rooms to six, our surgical suite’s going to be even bigger, so it’s going to enable us to help even more pets in the community.”
In addition to the shelter for traditional dogs and cats, Angels of Assisi also operates Harmony Farm Sanctuary, which is home to over 200 farm animals ranging from cows and pigs to goats, chickens, and rabbits.
Because of the farm, the nonprofit is able to help animal control agencies with animal seizures, including cases of neglect and abandonment. The farm provides a safe haven for abused animals as well as a hospice program for sick farm animals.
This week alone at Angels of Assisi, 26 animals found homes. Now, the organization will be able to help even more animals with the grant — like Gopher, a 13-year-old dog who was just recently transferred to the shelter from a busy rural shelter in Southwest Virginia.
“Gopher has only been at Angels of Assisi for a short time, but he has quickly become a staff favorite,” the shelter said on Facebook. “He is a quiet boy who wags his tail when you walk by his kennel in hopes that he will get a little extra love. Gopher is in desperate need of a family to be his forever home. If you think you could open your heart, your family, and your home to this sweet, incredible boy, he promises to repay you with a lifetime of joy and cuddles.”
“With the support of Petco Love, Angels of Assisi will be able to continue and expand our lifesaving work through our new Community Pet Hospital and Adoption Center,” said Angels of Assisi executive director Lisa O’Neill. “The new facility will enable our team to improve the lives of pets in need as well as the lives of people who love their pets.”
H/T: WSLS
Featured Image: Facebook/ Angels of Assisi
The post Virginia Animal Shelter Receives Surprise $500,000 Grant appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.
via Whisker Therapy