Home-based canine rescue Novy’s Ark and its affiliated foster households are in search of without end houses for the 9 dogs of their care.
Started in April 2022 by Woods Humane Society worker Anouk Novy, the Atascadero nonprofit takes care of dogs from shelters in Bakersfield and Fresno who’re dealing with imminent euthanasia.
“I’ve seen the quantity of dogs, particularly after COVID, which are within the shelters and the sheer quantity of dogs which are being euthanized,” Novy instructed New Times on Feb. 13. “I needed to do one thing till I simply determined I’d begin small.”
True to the rescue’s title, Novy’s Ark started by taking in two dogs at a time. Novy stated that her preliminary objective was to rehome 10 dogs that yr.
“Just a little over a yr and a half later, and we have carried out 113,” she stated.
Novy equates her calling to “making an attempt to empty an ocean with a teaspoon.” As a canine rescue, Novy’s Ark receives many shelters’ 24-hour lists—a catalog of all of the dogs who’re going to be put to sleep inside 24 hours.
“People will not be spaying and neutering,” Novy stated. “There are simply litter after litter after litter of puppies proper now.”
As quickly as a spot opens up in her Atascadero facility, Novy journeys to the Central Valley to place one of many dogs on that listing in her care.
“What’s actually cool about our facility that is very totally different is that it seems to be like any individual’s lounge,” she stated. “So, there are couches and a flat display TV and paintings on the partitions and rugs, … so it is like they’re in a home. They study to not go to the lavatory in the home and to not tear issues up.”
If any of the dogs are injured once they arrive at Novy’s Ark, the founder takes them to a vet or an animal facility to obtain medical care. Those visits are funded by sponsors and donations from group members. The bulk of these well-wishers work together with Novy’s Ark via Facebook and fundraising occasions.
Once the dogs get fastened up, Novy’s Ark seems to be for foster households who’d be prepared to help them till others finally need to undertake them. Currently, seven of the rescue’s dogs are in foster care whereas a bonded pair, Chance and Chelsea, stay on the Novy’s Ark facility.
Chance, a Dogo Argentino, got here to Novy’s Ark from Reedley in Fresno County. He endured trauma as a result of he was chained up for lengthy durations of time and underwent surgical procedure after Novy discovered him with metallic wires embedded deep into his neck. Chance is now recovering on the Atascadero web site and located a reference to a border collie combine named Chelsea. They do all the pieces collectively, Novy stated, from taking part in to mountaineering Bishop Peak and getting pup cups at espresso outlets with volunteers.
“It’s the primary time we’re making an attempt to undertake out a bonded pair,” she stated. “It’s troublesome. Lots of people need an ideal canine, ?”
On March 10, Novy’s Ark dogs will likely be beneficiaries of a 5K run organized by Tooth and Nail Winery. People also can work together with the dogs at Benny’s Pizzeria on April 27. At each occasions, folks can meet the dogs and resolve in the event that they need to begin the adoption course of.
Until then, Novy’s Ark is in search of extra volunteers and foster households. Visit novysark.org, electronic mail [email protected], or name (805) 574-0320 to study extra.
“To be a foster, your dedication is a minimal of 1 week, a most of 1 month,” Novy stated. “If they’ve dogs at home, or children at home, or cats, or no matter, we select dogs that can particularly work of their home. It’s actually fairly open.”
• R.A.C.E. Matters San Luis Obispo County received a $21,250 grant from the California Arts Council as a part of its Impact Project program. The award will assist R.A.C.E. Matters host courses on caring for textured hair, particularly compensating practitioners of hair braiding and different rituals for pure Black hair. Hosted at SLO hair salon Texture, the hands-on courses will embody practical classes on hair care in addition to the cultural and historic significance of Black hair. Δ
Reach Staff Writer Bulbul Rajagopal at [email protected].
