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HARPS and Angels
by Chris Morrison
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Most of us are
familiar with the opening lines of the Bible: "In the
beginning, God created …. " We believe that He
created the heavens and the earth and all of its wonderful
inhabitants, and we enjoy the beauty and mystery of His
handiwork. However, God also gave us a job to do! After he
created human beings, He said, "Let them have dominion
…over all the earth. " He entrusted His works to our
care and protection. So how are we doing? Some will argue
that we have not done very well, and this is a fair
argument. But many people hear the call to preserve God’s
creation, and members of a local animal rescue organization
are doing their part to care for His creatures, great and
small.
Homeless Animal Rescue and Placement Services, Inc. (HARPS)
is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to
the rescue, care, and adoption of abandoned, abused, and
unwanted animals in the Middle Georgia community. HARPS is
not an animal shelter. It is a network of caring individuals
who aid in the placement of companion animals.
Homeless animals are placed in foster care until they can be
adopted into permanent homes. Before an animal is placed in
foster care, HARPS pays for the necessary tests and
vaccinations to ensure that each animal is healthy.
HARPS also funds any medical treatment that the animal might
need while in the foster home. In return, foster parents
agree to participate in adoption fairs in order to help the
animal find a permanent home. This network of dedicated
individuals ensures that animals receive the love and care
that they deserve and saves many animals from ultimate
death.
Those interested in adopting an animal must first complete
an adoption application. HARPS representatives carefully
screen the applications to successfully match the animals in
the program with appropriate individuals or families.
When an application is approved, the applicant signs a
contract and pays a $50 adoption fee, which covers an
adoption kit, the required spay/neuter, and the first
vaccinations. The benefit of the program speaks loudest from
those who have obtained a companion animal. After adopting
an abandoned cat from the HARPS program, a happy new owner
says, "I can’t imagine anyone not wanting Toby and
giving him away to a shelter. I am just glad that HARPS was
there to take him and that we are lucky enough to be his new
parents!" The organization was established in 1999 and
over 1, 000 animals have found homes. The network of HARPS
members continues to grow, but due to the overwhelming
homeless animal population in Middle Georgia, HARPS depends
on the continued support of the community in order to
accomplish its mission. There are many ways you can support
this worthy cause.
First, HARPS needs responsible care-givers to provide foster
homes for the needy animals. In addition to complete
veterinary care, HARPS can provide food and litter to foster
homes as well as bowls and litter pans. Foster parents just
need to open their home and heart to an animal that would
otherwise face a miserable life on the street where it can
be exposed to disease, injury, and possibly death.
Second, HARPS needs financial support. In 2001 alone, HARPS
incurred over $25, 000 in veterinary expenses, which
included generous discounts from local clinics. There are no
paid employees, so a financial donation to the HARPS
organization goes directly to the care, feeding, and support
of the needy animals.
HARPS is a 501(c)(3)organization, which means your financial
contributions are tax deductible.
In addition to monetary support, donations of food and other
supplies are needed and gratefully accepted. HARPS is always
in need of items such as: dry chow for cats/kittens/dogs
/puppies, canned food, cat litter, sheets, blankets, towels,
dog houses, heating pads, stainless steel bowls, pens,
fencing, and even postage stamps.
HARPS also welcomes volunteers at the local adoption fairs.
Help is needed to set up, walk dogs, answer questions, and
clean up. Whether you can volunteer one Saturday per month
or every Saturday, any and all help is appreciated. Most
importantly, before buying an animal from a pet shop or
breeder, HARPS needs potential pet owners to consider
adopting a homeless animal and providing a permanent, loving
home. Surely you will be blessed by the grateful
companionship and unconditional love that your adopted
friend will provide.
Finally, as the spring season approaches, HARPS strongly
encourages ALL owners to spay and neuter their pets in order
to prevent an increase of indigent animals in our community.
If you would like additional information about the HARPS
program, check out the website at www.harpsinc.org.
The site features pictures and information about animals
awaiting adoption. You can also stop by the Warner Robins
Petsmart Adoption Center on Saturdays between 11 a.m. and 4
p.m. to visit with the animals available
for adoption.
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