As number of dumped pets rises, local shelter needs donations and fosters

COVID-19 is causing a spike in dumped and abandoned pets in Moore County. Lynchburg Friends of Animals Rescue and Adoption Center needs your help to keep them safe and get them the medical care they need. {File Photo}

During the COVID-19 pandemic, local shelters across the country report a spike in dumped and abandoned pets.

One needs to only read Moore County social media posts from the past week to know it’s true. On August 31, a local found a boxer mix on Turkey Creek Run. Four days later, a litter of eight puppies was found in a ditch on Goosebranch Road. Later that same day, a mother and her four puppies were found less than a mile away. A day later, a local found two more pups on Nolen Road. Just yesterday, another set of dogs were discovered around Pleasant Hill Methodist Church.

What do they all have in common? The Lynchburg Friends of Animals and Rescue and Adoption Center will try to care for all of them. It’s an tough job during “precedented” times but one that’s becoming overwhelming during the pandemic. Four of the puppies found last week require treatment for PARVO.

“We have to hospitalize them with a veterinary hospital leaving us with an estimated $2400 for vet care and hospitalization of all four pups,” said LFoA Director Brandi Harrell. “That was the cheapest I found in such short notice. These babies need our help.”

Moore County does not offer animal control as a county service. Without intervention from a caring, local shelter animals like these are destined for heartbreak, trauma, and often death. That’s where Lynchburg Friends of Animals Rescue and Adoption Center comes in. And you can help. Supplies like dog food, cat food, litter, and puppy pads can be dropped off at the shelter located at 1980 Fayetteville Highway. A full wish list of needs can be found by clicking this link.

Harrell also says that the shelter desperately needs fosters to give vulnerable animals off local roads. Without fosters and with a full shelter, LFoA might need to turn animals away. She says the more fosters, the more lives they can save. LFoA pays for all vet bills, food, as well as related supplies.

You can also make a donation via PayPal through a link on their website.

If you’d like to help with the medical care for the four puppies battling PARVO, donations can be made at the vet clinics currently providing care: All Creature Veterinary Clinics in Tullahoma (931-455-6723) or Manchester (931-723-0551). •

{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}

Local Eagle Scout builds puppy playground at Lynchburg shelter

Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander, Apollo 11 Astronaut Neil Armstrong, and novelist Clive Cussler … what do these three famous men and local youth Bart Morton have in common? They all created service projects on their way to become Eagle Scouts.

Eagle Scout Bart Morton poses with fellow scouts Gage Ralton and Tayton Swift as they work on the new puppy playground at Lynchburg Friends of Animals. {Photo Provided}

The Boy Scouts of America launched the Eagle Scout program in 1911 to grow tomorrow’s leaders. Since it’s inception, only four percent of Scouts have earned this distinction … and only after a lengthy review process. Part of that process involves the Eagle Scout Service Project. It’s an opportunity for a Scout to blend their leadership ability with a project that benefits their community.

When Bart Morton, son of local vets Wendy and Bryant Morton, considered his Eagle Scout Service Project, he knew he wanted to do something involving animals or wildlife. Former Lynchburg Friends of Animals (LFoA) Director Laura Swinford knew Bart was on the lookout for a service project and she had something in mind … a puppy playground for the center’s shelter dogs. Swinford says improving the dog yard has been a long time center goal.

“We could never get the help or the time needed,” she says. “So as soon as I heard he needed a service project, I knew it would be a perfect fit.”

Bart, who is a senior at the Webb School in Bell Buckle, enlisted Elk River Boy Scout Troop 699, their leaders, Mark Friedman and Austin Voorhes, and two fellow Eagle Scouts – Gage Ralston and Tayton Swift – to help.

Scouts from Elk River Troop 699 and their leaders Mark Friedman and Austin Voorhees also pitched in. The group will continue work on the project this Saturday. {Photo Provided}

“Leadership is the main teaching point of the service project,” Bart says. “It’s sometimes difficult to get everyone on the same page.”

The project kicked off last Saturday and will continue this coming Saturday. Bart says most Eagle Scout Service Projects take around 100 man hours to complete and the this one’s on target to take that much time.

Even though it’s not yet complete, current LFoA Director Brandi Harrel says the shelter dogs are already loving it.

“It’s great for our dogs because it give them something to do and helps them burn off some energy,” Harrell says. “So far, even our lazy dogs enjoy the new playground. Her favorite thing is to run through the tires. I’m excited to see ow they react once it’s fully set up.”

Harrell also says the new playground helps the community because it helps them create more adoptable dogs … those who are content, trained, and socialized.

Bart, who will graduate high school in the spring, says he’s in “grind time mode” to get the Lynchburg Friends of Animals puppy playground complete because all Eagle Scout requirements need to be complete three months prior to their 18th birthday, which happens in December. •

{The Lynchburg Times is the only independently owned and operated newspaper in Lynchburg. We cover Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}

Lynchburg Friends of Animals plans open house and fundraising yard sale

The Lynchburg Friends of Animals Rescue and Adoption Center has found forever homes for over 300 cats and dogs since 2013. Come check out their facilities at an Open House and Fundraising Yard Sale on June 20. {Photos Provided}

LYNCHBURG — Since they launched in 2013, Lynchburg Friends of Animals Rescue and Adoption Center have found loving, forever homes for over 300 pets. They are an all-volunteer 501(c)3 shelter that operates based on adoption fees and fundraisers.

All rescued animals receive local vet care, vaccinations, spayed/neutering, and a microchip. While in LFOA’s care, all animals also receive monthly prevention for fleas, ticks, and heart worms.

On Saturday, June 20 they will host both an Open House and a Fundraising Yard Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come see the eight dog and 15 cat facility at 1980 Fayetteville Highway beside Jack Daniel’s South Plant. While you are there, you can pick up a recycled, gently-used, repurposed item at their fundraising community yard sale.

Everyone is encouraged to wear masks and/or practice appropriate social distancing.

To donate items to the yard sale, contact them at 931-434-7508 or friendsofanimalsrescue@aol.com. To get updates on the event, visit the event’s Facebook page by clicking here. •

Friends of Animals launches new website

Pallo dog — Pallo is just one of the animals available for adoption that you can now view on the Friends of Animals new and improved website. He’s eight months old and gets along great with kids and other animals. {Photo Provided}

LOCAL NEWS — Donate, foster, volunteer … all of these things are now just a click away for folks in Moore County.

Friends of Animals Rescue and Adoption Center in Lynchburg recently launched a new and improved website. On it, you can meet all the animals currently housed at the center, view adoption fees, and fill out an adoption application. There’s also a calendar of upcoming events and a link to their Facebook page.

The site offers information on how you can donate, foster an animal, or volunteer for the organization too. Locals can donate directly or make donations through Kroger Reward or Amazon Smiles and other affiliate programs. There’s an online store where you can by t-shirts, hoodies, and other items too.

Since it’s launch in 2013, the center’s facilitated adoptions of over 300 pets. Each rescued animal receives vet care including a microchip. To learn more, check out their website. •

Super Bowl BBQ fund raiser kicks off for Friends of Animals

LOCAL NEWS — It’s a Leap Year miracle. When Barking Pig BBQ members and Lynchburg Veterinary Hospital owners, Bryant and Wendy Morton, determined they’d be out of town on Super Bowl Sunday … well, hearts broke all all across Moore County. The duo, their competitive barbecue team, and the folks at Lynchburg Vet Hospital usually all team up to sponsor the annual Super Bowl Butt Fundraiser for Lynchburg Friends of Animals Rescue and Adoption Center.

Thanks to Chuck Baker at Barrelhoue BBQ and some big-hearted volunteer … the show will go on. Barbecued Boston Butt will be sold for $40 each and may be ordered by contacting Lynchburg Vet at 931-759-5550. They wil be available by pre-order only and orders must be paid for by Wednesday, January 29. Pick up will be Saturday, February 1 at Barrelhouse BBQ or Sunday, February 2 at Fiends of Animals. Both days pick up will happen from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.

Barrelhouse BBQ is located right below the Lynchburg Square. Friends of Animals is located at 1980 Fayetteville Highway. For more information, call 931-434-7508. •

Annual Valentine’s Day fund-raiser planned for Friends of Animals

chocolate covered strawberries — These are examples from last year’s Valentine’s Day fundraiser. Organizers say they sold over 120 dozen and hope to beat that number this year. All proceeds benefit Friends of Animals Rescue and Adoption Center. {Photo Provided}

LOCAL NEWS | Non-profits — Whether you’re looking for a sweet treat for your significant others, a co-worker, your child, a parents, or even just a good friend … Lynchburg Vet Hospital, Barking Pig BBQ, and Lynchburg Friends of Animals will offer a delicious way to be thoughtful and support an hard-working non-profit this Valentine’s Day.

All three will host their annual Valentine Chocolate Covered Strawberry Fundraiser again this year. The cost for one dozen fresh strawberries hand-dipped in Ghirardelli chocolate is $15. Locals can pre-order their dozen by calling the Lynchburg Veterinary Hospital during regular business hours at 931-759-7550. Organizer says they sold around 120 dozen last year, and hope to beat that total in 2020.

Pick up will be on Friday, February 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All profits benefit Moore County Friends of Animals, a local non-profit dedicated to helping stray, and abandoned pets in our community through both rescue and adoption. •

Lynchburg Friends of Animals seeks volunteers

LOCAL NEWS — Lynchburg Friends of Animals Rescue and Adoption Center works tirelessly to not only address the stray and abandoned pet population in Metro Moore County but also to find those animals foster care and hopefully, a forever home.

According to Director Laura Swinford, they could use some volunteers at the facility located at 1980 Fayetteville Highway to help with daily chores. In particular, the center is looking for volunteers to work on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays around 8 a.m.

All volunteers must be 18 years old. Those interested can contact the center at friendsofanimalsraac@aol.com or stop by any weekday morning for more information. •

JD BBQ Like a Local: Donate items to Friends of Animals Silent Auction

The silent auction during the JD BBQ is the Friends of Animals largest fundraiser each year. {Photo Provided}

LOCAL NEWS —The Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue is great annual event for several reasons. Not only does it allow us locals to show off our tiny little town each fall, but it also allows dozen of non-profits to host their biggest fundraisers of the year.

For example, each October during the event the Lynchburg Friends of Animals Rescue and Adoption Center hosts a silent auction featuring gift baskets, art, and other locally donated items. According to Director Laura Swinford, the group intend to extend their booth space this year to accommodate even more auction items.

Any individual or business who would like to donate an item should do so by Wednesday, October 23 to give the center time to inventory and organize the donations. Items can be dropped off at the center located at 1980 Fayetteville Highway, Lynchburg Vet Hospital at 96 Majors Boulevard, or Happy Tails Pet Care at 258 Hendrix Lane in Tullahoma. •