Local advocate working to spay, neuter, adopt
Mountain Creek – Monday morning started early for Brittney Holder, with the chore of loading up 19 dogs and 11 cats to be transported to Norfolk, Va.'s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) for rehoming.
It would be nice to say this wasn’t a typical Monday morning – but it is: Holder took on this responsibility when she established leadership of the Cinagrowfarm Rescue less than a year ago.
As the owner of B’s Pet Grooming, she became the call center/dumping ground for unwanted/unowned animals – and quickly realized she couldn’t handle the overflow on her own.
Non-profit roots
Holder began looking to open a non-profit and made a call to Sam and Carol Borelli.
The Borelli’s had moved to the area and – even though they still controlled the non-profit – since moving to North Carolina, they hadn’t been actively using the non-profit. Holder’s timing couldn’t have worked out any better and the three considered it a “God thing” when she contacted them.
The Borelli’s began to change the non-profit over to Holder and “Graham County Animal Refuge” was born.
Since that time, 182 animals have been transported. Only two of these animals have not been adopted. The refuge has established two partnerships in Virginia: the Norfolk SPCA and the Virginia Beach SPCA.
The distance has been a challenge, but the benefits have been worth it.
Teamwork
Holder has her hands full, but she is quick to give credit to her volunteer foster homes.
Nina Fette fosters puppies that find their way to the refuge. She is equipped to handle several litters of pups and works hard to keep them safe and healthy, until they are old enough to find forever homes.
Cindy Zierk fosters senior dogs and does a lot of the transporting. She also drives the refuge van to Franklin, which allows Graham County residents and refuge fosters the opportunity to spay and neuter at a low cost. Zierk occasionally will make the trip to Virginia to deliver animals for rehoming. Kelsey Henderson is responsible for fostering cats and kittens.
“One feral cat can become 257 cats in a span of a couple of years if not spayed," Holder explained.
Many of the ferals are sick and spread disease when untreated. The refuge has begun a T.N.R. (trap, neuter and release) program for ferals and they have successfully served over 100 cats in the county.
“If every household would allow one feral cat to be fixed, feed it and provide an outdoor shelter … not take the animal in as a pet – but just provide the basic food and shelter – the problem would be reduced tremendously,” Holder added.
Clearing the air
There are many misconceptions associated with the refuge, such as the volunteers are paid to care for the animals.
The $20,000 that the county gives the refuge annually goes to pay for vet bills, food, supplies and transportation for the animals.
Another misconception is that the refuge is trying to take away hunting dogs or ban outdoor leads. While that is not true, the refuge is trying to educate the community and require that outdoor dogs are placed on a 10-foot lead with food, water and adequate shelter provided for the dogs. The goals are not to take away the dogs, or make it illegal to tie them up: just to make sure the animals are safe and healthy.
The Graham County Animal Refuge is working hard to provide spay and neutering clinics four times a year, as well as provide transportation for the animals to Franklin to receive services at the best cost the refuge can find available. They also shop around to find the best prices for medication and treatment when needed to provide care for the animals in their foster program.
The refuge is foster-based. The animals that are rescued are placed in the homes of the fosters until they can be transported. Because the refuge’s top priority is the animal’s well-being, they are constantly in need of supplies and foster families willing to help out. The group is also looking for transporters who can give their time delivering the animals to their rehoming facilities.
“If we can open the eyes of our community and the things that go on, making people aware of the animal problems, we will be successful,” Holder shared.
If you are interested in helping, Holder can be reached at 828-735-9381.