ACARF seeks short term help

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July 16, 2011 - 12:00 AM

It wasn’t a pretty sight.
The gray coat of the male Weimaraner, supposed to be smooth and sleek, was rippled by the dog’s protruding ribs.
“He was dehydrated and we had to hand feed him,” said Andi DePriest, director of Allen County Animal Rescue Facility in LaHarpe.
The emaciated canine responded to the TLC and was adopted by a Humboldt family.
Later, the Weimaraner, a healthy 90 pounds, came for a visit.
DePriest and her helpers celebrated another success story.
Not all dogs and cats are so lucky, but if ACARF supporters have their way, many will be in the months and years ahead.
That’s the point, said Larry Macha, vice president of ACARF’s board, to keep open and grow “the only place in Allen County that cares about stray and abandoned dogs and cats. We have lots of organizations that help people, but we’re the only one that helps animals.”
Macha said he hoped Allen County commissioners recognized ACARF’s value to the entire county.
Tuesday, Art Chapman, board president, asked commissioners to support ACARF to the tune of $50,000 for the next year. He and Macha said additional support would be needed for the following two, three, or maybe even four years, although it’s too early to tell how much.
“Like all new businesses, the first years are the most difficult,” Macha said Thursday afternoon.
In a few years, he thinks revenue will match and then exceed expenses.
“But, we need help right now,” he said.

THE STORY of how ACARF got where it is today, in its thirteenth month of operation, began about 15 years ago.
A handful of Allen County residents recognized the need for an animal shelter and began fundraising. Money trickled in from bake sales, benefits and operation of a concession trailer at auctions and public events.
Five years ago it purchased the building that previously held Thompson Meat Market and Grocery, 401 S. State St., but sold it after neighbors fussed about having an animal shelter next door.
By late 2009 $100,000 was in hand, a handsome sum but far short of what was needed to buy land and build a shelter.
Then, a couple things happened to give ACARF enough money to buy 3 1/2 acres along U.S. 54 at the east edge of LaHarpe, for $10,000, and start a year-long construction project.
A supporter, who wishes to remain anonymous, offered to secure a $150,000 bank loan and another supporter, also preferring anonymity, contributed $50,000 and another $10,000 on the provision ACARF matched the second

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