Muldrow-based Ahimsa raises money for animal rescue
by August 9, 2009 3:54 pm 99 views
story and photos by Linda Kaufenberg
About 300 attended a Saturday night (Aug. 8) fundraiser at the Fort Smith Event Center for Ahimsa Rescue Foundation, a Muldrow-based animal rescue facility.
Teresa Morton, founder of Ahimsa, said the rescue foundation was established in 2004 and envisions a world in which people meet the physical and emotional needs of domestic animals and change their interaction with animals evolving from exploitation and harm to respect and compassion.
“Ahimsa is Hindu and means ‘kindness to all life.’ We strive to place needy animals in responsible homes, provide humane education, and encourage spaying and neutering because there are not enough homes,” Morton said. “The organization is staffed by volunteers.”
All proceeds from the event will be used for renovation of the new animal rescue facility — the former Muldrow Nursing Home — which encompasses 25,000 square feet of indoor space and sits on four acres. Cost of renovating the facility ranges between $125,000 and $150,000.
“The renovated facility will be used for animal rescue, sanctuary and for adoptions,” Morton explained. “It will be a cage-free facility.”
The animals now live in private foster homes. The organization is providing for the care and welfare of more than 40 animals from eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas, and will be able to help more once the facility is open.
