The Good News...
Thanks to you, HALO made it through the qualifying heat for the ASPCA Rachel Ray $100k Shelter Challenge! We are now official contenders for the big prizes!
The $100K Challenge is a competition that inspires shelters and their communities to come up with innovative ways to save at least 300 more dogs and cats within a three-month period than were saved during the same three months the year before. And by participating, HALO could win between $5,000 and $125,000 for the animals! Our staff and volunteers are excited to take a shot at saving more lives than we ever have before and are thrilled that all of our great supporters came together to help us qualify to enter the Challenge with your votes.
The Bad News...
Unfortunately, a couple days after we found out we made it into the Challenge, tragedy struck.
HALO was robbed. One of the vehicles we use to transport the animals was stolen.
Our ability to transport the animals is crucial to our mission of saving their precious lives. Not only that, but in stealing the truck, the thieves smashed down the dog play yard fence.
The truck that was stolen
The smashed-down fence
Five different news networks came to the shelter to cover the story. Here is one of the full news stories (from AZFamily.com):
The dogs at HALO Animal Rescue in Phoenix are spending more time in their cages this week after their play area was destroyed by thieves.
Staff arrived Saturday morning to find the rescue's truck, which was parked in the play area, had been stolen. The thief or thieves used the truck as a ram to break down the fence and get away.
"It looks like they hot-wired the truck, revved it up, and then smashed down the fence gate," said Guillermo Lopez, who was first to find the damage. "It's really hard, because not only did they steal our only truck, but they ruined the play yard for the dogs." The no-kill, nonprofit shelter adopted out more than 3,500 cats and dogs in 2011. Most were about to be euthanized at other shelters.
CEO Heather Allen said the truck was the main means of gathering animals. "The vehicle means everything to us," Allen said. "It literally means animals might die because we might not be able to get to them in time."
Days before the truck theft, the rescue's cash donation box was also stolen. Two men walked in, pretending to be interested in adoption. After filling out paperwork, one grabbed the box and took off.
Original news story (with video): http://www.azfamily.com/news/local/Thieves-target-animal-rescue-group-147686025.html
Adams Fence has generously offered to donate their services and repair our fence for us. Thank you so much to Adams Fence for helping us get back on our "paws!" See more photos of the fence repair on HALO's Facebook page.
The vehicle's loss is a blow to the speed at which we can continue our lifesaving work. Without enough vehicles, adoption locations sit empty and animals have to wait to get to their checkups.
To make a donation towards a new vehicle for HALO, please go to our donation page and write "Vehicle" in the comments box.
Thank you for your support in HALO's time of need!
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