Free Range Conversations, Episode 52
RISON - Caring for animals is a trait most people share. Caring for several animals at one time is not as common, but that's what Mark and Penny Pitchford are doing with local rescue nonprofit, Rison Paws for a Cause.
Penny Pitchford shared some of the tales (and wagging tails) of the animal rescue's efforts inand-beyond Rison in this week's episode of the Free Range Conversations podcast.
Chatting with co-hosts Britt Talent, Douglas Boultinghouse and Roy Phillips, Pitchford said the rescue currently provides for around 25 dogs.
Six of the dogs are housed in the rescue's kennels provided by the City of Rison, some are fostered by individuals because the kennels are full, which leaves the majority of the animals living with with Pitchfords at home.
The Rison Paws for a Cause rescue started roughly 10 years ago by Rhonda Fletcher and Amy Vidal, who Pitchford credit for taking the initial steps to address Rison's issues with stray dogs roaming the streets.
"It's just a bunch of rag-tag dog rescuers, people who love dogs," Pitchford said.
Over the years, the two started recruiting other volunteers with a passion for caring for animals and the rescue officially formalized as a non-profit 501(c)3, making all donations to the rescue tax deductible.
Pitchford jokes that she and her husband's volunteering turned into volunteering professionally as they took in more and more animals, now up to 16.
As time has passed, some of the rescue volunteers have had to step back or resign due to health issues, or sometimes just burnout from the work, something Pitchford said she worries might eventually reach her family.
"We're at capacity, so we don't have any other options now," she said.
"If someone has the facilities, either in their home, or in their yard, where they're able to provide a secure, safe environment for an animal, if they would reach out to us, we would be glad to put them in touch with an animal that needs care right now," she said.
Pitchford said the rescue is grateful for the current volunteers fostering animals.
"Quite honestly, they're just people who had an animal come up, reached out to us to see if we could help, and I talked them into holding onto the animal,” she said. “We pay for the vetting, food, a (dog) house, whatever they need to let that animal stay there with them.”
Pitchford said the kind-hearted people who reach out are much more willing to house a stray animal when they understand Paws for a Cause is able to provide some resources to assist with the burden of caring for the animal.
To provide food and other essential items, and veterinary care which can get quite costly, the organization relies on donations.
Pitchford said donations are important, especially recurring donations for those who can budget a line item for a regular donation to the organization monthly or annually.
“We need something we can count on,” she said. “Right now if we spend all of our money this month, we’re defunct. We don’t have a consistent stream.”
Donations can be made in a variety of ways, through CashApp to $RisonPawsForACause, through PayPal to @Rison-PawsForACause, by check mailed to P.O. Box 123, Rison, AR 71665, or by dropping off a donation at any FBT Bank branch in Rison, Fordyce, White Hall or Watson Chapel.
One dog in the rescue’s care has a health condition that could require a surgery that costs around $3,000 if needed. Another is a newborn that may not survive due to health issues.
Pitchford said monetary donations can be stretched further than donations of food due to partnerships with nearby Tractor Supply stores and veterinarians discounting food and services for the rescue.
The rescue also relies on adoption services through other rescue organizations such as Morning Meadow in Fordyce or Passion tor Pets Rescue in Maine, where several dogs have been transported and adopted over the years.
But finding a home is not always a quick or easy task.
“My biggest passion is to see the animals that maybe we can’t find them a home, but if we get them spayed and neutered, we can cut down on all the unwanted litters,” she said.
According to Pitchford, spaying and neutering animals would help control the number of animals roaming the streets, which is what prompted the start of the rescue efforts to aide the city and county.
When an animal lands in the care of Rison Paws for a Cause, they are taken for their shots, and as quickly as possible spayed or neutered.
“Then the process is to get them stabilized, if they’re not healthy or they do need care, get them well,” Pitchford said of the efforts done before determining if an animal can be re-homed or adopted.
She also explains the process of “foster failing,” where someone will foster an animal but fall in love with it and end up adopting it as a permanent member of their family.
In addition to the need for donations, Pitchford also put out a call for volunteers to walk dogs, clean kennels and other tasks such as transporting animals to the vet for appointments.
Boultinghouse expressed his thought that the need for volunteers at the rescue could be beneficial for local students who need volunteer community service hours.
“It’s a couple hours a day,” said Pitchford. “It has to be someone who is familiar with animals and can follow directions and be trained, and be consistent.”
The best way to reach Pitchford and the rescue to inquire about fostering a dog, adopting, or volunteering is to email risonpawsforacause@yahoo.com or through the Rison Paws for a Cause Facebook Group.
During the podcast, Pitchford shares her gratitude for all of the volunteers who have helped over the years and to the City of Rison for providing the space for kennels.
She also shares special stories about dogs such as Honey and Bea, nicknamed the Queen of Staves, who touched their lives significantly before finding their forever homes.
The group also discusses how sometimes the animals become considered as people to many.
Other topics in the podcast include the hope for enforcement of leash laws and laws for people who abandon animals, as well as the need for more space for animals.
The full episode is streaming now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ClevelandCountyHerald.com