The latest news for our Farley Foundation Friends:
We wish you all a joyous and peaceful holiday season!
We recently marked the tenth anniversary of the passing of our first rescue dog, Farley (depicted above) the namesake of our organization, who was rescued as a puppy from the Hoke County, North Carolina public animal facility by Cindy Bristow of SOLUTIONS FOR ANIMALS, a local rescue group, literally minutes before being “euthanized.” Not coincidentally, we will soon celebrate the tenth anniversary of founding The Farley Foundation (“TFF”).
Farley, a remarkably intelligent and unconditionally loving companion, subsequently became a certified therapy dog. Our mission during nearly ten years of operation was, and is, to save these extraordinary “rescue animals” from needless destruction so that others may have the similar opportunity to experience the joy of their companionship. We firmly believe that every rescued dog or cat knows its life has been saved and will forever show its gratitude.
These two anniversaries remind us of the principal reason we created this organization: to help save as many lives as possible of adoptable animals at risk of being unnecessarily killed in public facilities.
Unfortunately, there still is no shortage of opportunities to do so:
- While there is no central data reporting system for animal shelters in the United States and many states do not require any reporting, the ASPCA estimates that at least 7.6 million companion animals nationally enter animal shelters each year. Roughly 55% are dogs and 45% are cats.
- The ASPCA also estimates that 2.7 million of these animals are killed annually in shelters.
- A small percentage of this number (typically estimated to be 10-15%) are actually euthanized, that is, their lives were ended out of mercy due to injury, incurable illness or severe behavioral issues.
- The remainder, approximately 2.5 million, are simply killed due to lack of available space.
- Only 27 states have banned the troubling practice of using gas chambers to kill animals.
- Five states are responsible for nearly half of the animals killed in shelters in the United States: California, Texas, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. In Moore County, North Carolina where many of our TFF friends and supporters reside, nearly 1,300 animals were killed in its shelter during the fiscal year ending June 2023, an average of over 100 per month. This was approximately 50% of overall intake…and right in your own back yard.
So, how do you help? In addition to, or in lieu of providing financial support to your favorite animal rescue group, please consider adopting or fostering a suitable animal or offering to volunteer. You may discover a homeless animal that will provide you with the years of loyalty and companionship we enjoyed with Farley. At the very least, please simply raise awareness of this issue with your friends and family. More importantly, challenge your local government to adopt a no-kill policy.
TFF supports THE NO KILL ADVOCACY CENTER which promotes the no-kill philosophy and helps rescue groups and individuals nationwide to change local animal laws.
Sadly many of these animals would never get a second chance if it wasn’t for the many (but not enough) non-profit rescue groups who work tirelessly to end the needless destruction of lives.
PLEASE ADOPT — DON’T SHOP
TFF continues its support of SARGE’S ANIMAL RESCUE a Waynesville, North Carolina rescue group and their special needs animals. Sarge’s saves most of its adoptable animals from destruction at the Haywood County Animal Center and frees up space in the already crowded shelter. Thankfully, and as a result, this county shelter is deemed no-kill, one of less than ten in North Carolina.
We recently sponsored “Titan,” a dog that came to Sarge’s severely malnourished and suffering from mange, intestinal parasites and a severe ear infection.
TITAN (at intake)
After several weeks, he has begun to recover both physically and mentally and is demonstrating a very playful personality, particularly with children.
Now a happier and healthier boy
OWEN
As part of our ongoing efforts to focus on special needs animals, TFF recently helped support “Owen” who came to STRAY RESCUE of St. Louis after suffering a gunshot wound that paralyzed his back legs. He was fitted with a wheelchair, adapted quickly… and is still looking for a forever home.
SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING
We ask that you keep your eyes open for similar problems in your area and report them to the appropriate local law enforcement agency. This may be done anonymously, and the animals will surely appreciate your vigilance.
After all, WE ARE THEIR ONLY VOICE.
There is no shortage of animals in need like the puppies shown above recovered from a back yard breeder here in Haywood County. TFF assisted in efforts to shut down this operation and provided financial support to MOUNTAIN PET RESCUE, in Asheville, North Carolina for the care and veterinary treatment of these beautiful dogs who are all now living in forever homes.
Other groups supported in their rescue efforts by TFF include:
- Sandhills Cat Coalition, Moore County, North Carolina whose mission is to provide help homeless, stray and feral cats.
- Animal Haven of Asheville, a ten-acre sanctuary in East Asheville, North Carolina which provides home to rescued farm animals as well as dogs and cats.
- Pets for Vets, which helps match Veterans with rescue dogs giving both a second chance at health and happiness.
- American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, one of this country’s pre-eminent animal rescue organizations which works to save animals from dogfighting, puppy mills, hoarding and other cruelty situations.
We appreciate any amount you may be able to donate to support our continuing efforts and those of rescue groups we personally evaluate and assist, similar to those mentioned above. We also are grateful that one of our donors will match any donation made to TFF in 2023 and 2024 up to $10,000.
You may make an online donation here on our website: THE FARLEY FOUNDATION or simply mail your donation to:
The Farley Foundation, P.O. Box 1437, Clyde, NC 28721.
A continuing thank you goes out to Caroline and Mike Ivey of LOYEL MEDIA who are indispensable in supporting our media platforms, among many other things.
We again wish you all a Merry Christmas and a pleasant Holiday Season!
John and Betsy Ficarro, Founders
The Farley Foundation, Inc. (Federal Tax ID #47-1605276) is a 501(c)(3) public charity.
Our mailing address is:
Post Office Box 1437, Clyde, North Carolina 28721.
If you have any questions about our organization, please contact us directly via email (jrficarro@aol.com, adopt4leggeds@aol.com) or by telephone (910) 315-3052, (910) 315-9569).
The Farley Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 animal rescue organization founded by John and Betsy Ficarro of Pinehurst, NC. It is named in memory of their first shelter dog Farley, a certified therapy dog who was rescued as a puppy from a North Carolina county shelter by Cindy Bristow founder of Solutions for Animals (a Hoke County NC animal rescue non-profit) minutes before being euthanized and subsequently adopted by the Ficarros.