During the season of giving a local animal charity stands out for its dedication to furry friends.
Animal Haven, which has been in existence for about three years, opened in October after Top of Ohio Pet Shelter closed when it lost funding in June 2016 and achieved its 501c3 status that December.
“The nice thing about donating to a 501c3 entity is that all donations are tax deductible,” explained Cindy Himler, Animal Haven secretary, treasurer and foster mom. “The need was there and we stepped up.”
This year, Animal Haven had an influx of kittens in need of care — 43 of them.
And it is strictly foster-based.
“Our foster parents do not pay for anything,” Himler said. “We supply all material needs as well as medical. All we ask of our fosters is to supply the most important part, a loving home … We have also helped our folks who need short time help with pet food to help them keep their babies.”
But funding comes from donors and adoptions.
Kittens cost $80 and adult cats cost $60.
“Even with the rescue discount we are given you can tell by our adoption fees that we do not make any money,” Himler said. ‘We get absolutely no funding from Logan County Commissioners or City Council. We have asked, but I guess funds are not available or allocated elsewhere.”
County commissioners did help with Animal Haven’s first spay.neuter clinic and Animal Haven has since hosted three clinics in Logan County to help those in need of a low-cost option.
Just this past spring Animal Haven assisted a Logan County resident in need of a low-cost option.
“This past spring we were contacted by one of our supporters who has since become a volunteer with us,” Himler remembered. “Her neighbor was a veteran who was losing his housing due to his rental being sold and they only had a few weeks notice. They had found temporary housing, but their dogs could not be with them. It was very important to keep dogs close by as one was being trained to be his seizure response dog. We jumped right in to help this man who gave so much of himself for our freedom. We found a boarding facility that would take dogs. They kindly gave a discount, but it was still expensive as it was going to be a three month stay. We were able to get over two-thirds of his bill covered.”
Animal Haven has also hosted emergency cat shelters free of charge to anyone with a need.
“What makes us unique from other shelters/rescues/TNR groups is that we can accomplish so much on such limited funds,” Himler said. “Please don’t misunderstand, we think other local rescue/shelters/TNR groups are wonderful and each fills a niche but we have so many passionate volunteers that we will do our absolute best to do whatever we can for the animals.”
And doing the best for the animals is of utmost importance to Animal Haven.
“We feel very strongly that there is so much more to rescue then moving cats and dogs through the door as fast as we can,” Himler said. “We do not do same-day adoptions to anyone with (the) adoption fee as some do. We want to know when one of our babies get a home, it is the best possible home we can find. We check references, do meet and greets and home checks. We also want to make sure when an animal goes to their forever home they are in the best health we can supply. We have a wonderful vet who does spay/neuters … vaccines and even microchips.”
Animal Haven also takes dogs when a foster is available.
“We recently helped a husky puppy find a forever home,” Himler said proudly. “We also can pull from the rescue only/euth(anization) list and have a senior with us right now.”
Kim Sharp also of Animal Haven said she encourages more people to become fosters for Animal Haven.
“The way kitten season hit so hard last year, we can always use more help fostering these babies that come to us,” she said.
For information about Animal Haven visit https://www.facebook.com/LoganCountyAnimalHaven or contact 937-645-9031.