All across the United States, there are many dogs and cats without homes, and organizations everywhere are stepping in to help get these animals the care they need. One such organization is Chatham Animal Rescue & Education Inc., more commonly known as CARE. Established in 1975, this 501(c)(3) nonprofit is located close to home, in Pittsboro, North Carolina, and is on a mission to promote the health and safety of all dogs and cats in Chatham County.
HELP IS HERE: CARE works with the Chatham Sheriff’s Animal Resource Center to save the lives of unwanted dogs and cats, manage feral cat colonies and provide educational programs to school kids, civic groups and others in the community. One such educational program is CARE’s Pet Responsibility Education Program (PREP), which offers education to fourth graders. Also essential to CARE’s work is Lillie’s Fund, CARE’s spay and neuter program, which offers sterilization surgeries for pets in low-income families, reducing the population of homeless dogs and cats. Between Lillie’s Fund and another program, Community Cat Fund, CARE is able to spay and neuter over 500 dogs and cats in Chatham County annually. Of course, no one can forget the foster caregivers who volunteer with CARE to provide loving, stable homes to homeless cats and dogs. With their help, CARE is able to foster between 150 and 200 homeless pets a year, ultimately placing them in forever homes.
DEBBIE’S STORY: Governors Communities resident Debbie Bendelow-Smith is very familiar with the services provided by CARE, as she’s one of the many who has been paired with the perfect pet through the organization. “When I first moved to North Carolina about 20 years ago, I was in search of the perfect dog for me,” says Debbie. “That brought me to CARE. I’m all about adopting rescues — any animals in need of a loving home. ”Upon driving out to one of CARE’s foster farms, Debbie was introduced to her future pup, Jasper. “When I got out of my car, this gorgeous large black dog trotted over to me,” she says. “I got down on one knee, and he leaned in and wrapped his body around me. His foster said, ‘Well, I guess you just found your dog.” Jasper spent 12 years as Debbie’s beloved pet, and since his passing, Debbie has adopted another dog, Skeet. Although Skeet was not adopted from CARE, Debbie has remained involved with the organization. She became a foster caregiver for feral cats and kittens for several years, and she’s always ready to talk up the organization to anyone looking to adopt a pet. “When clients ask about their next animal, I give my speech about CARE,” says Debbie. “CARE truly knows the personality of each animal and is run by volunteers who truly love animals. They’re the real deal, and the animals who get adopted are gifts.”
GET INVOLVED: CARE is always looking for volunteers to help foster dogs and cats in their homes, as well as event volunteers, voicemail responders, cat trappers, graphic artists and folks with IT experience. The organization is also currently seeking a fundraising chair and a treasurer for its board of directors, as well as an educator volunteer to coordinate the PREP program. For more information on CARE’s volunteer opportunities, visit https://www.chathamanimalrescue.org/ get-involved/become-a-volunteer/.
