Red Sky Rescue in urgent need of donations for winter

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Red Sky Rescue in Medora has been taking in homeless dogs of Jackson County for many years.

Since 2006, the shelter has helped more than 5,000 dogs and puppies within the county to find safe and loving homes.

With winter upon us, Red Sky needs help now to continue sheltering those animals.

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“We have approximately 50 dogs right now. We don’t have safe quarters for cats,” manager Ruth Riley said. “We are desperate for monetary donations now because we don’t receive income from the county from Nov. 15, 2020, to Feb. 15, 2021.”

Riley said in November, by the time they paid the shelter’s heat/electric, water usage and phone/internet expenses, there was nearly nothing left in Red Sky’s bank account to cover unexpected expenses.

“We have recently received several new dogs and puppies who need vaccinations, monthly flea, tick and heart worm protection, spay or neuter surgery and microchipping,” she said. “These costs are non-negotiable to keep our pets healthy and adoptable while they wait for their new homes.”

According to Red Sky Rescue’s Facebook page, other unexpected costs continue, such as repairs or replacement of the appliances they depend on, such as the washer, dryer and refrigerator, plus fuel and maintenance for transport vehicles.

“Another issue right now is an unexplained power outage in our senior/hospice/puppy area that needs urgent attention from a licensed electrician,” Riley said. “COVID has been difficult on all of us, causing families to lose jobs and even homes, so many pets have found themselves homeless during this devastating pandemic.”

Riley said she has adopted out approximately 200 pets this year so far, which is a bit more than a normal year due to a few more people working from home.

The shelter always needs helping hands, so volunteers are welcome any day between 11 a.m. and noon.

Red Sky Rescue is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit rescue organization that offers a safe haven to stray and abandoned dogs in Jackson County and provides food, shelter and medical care.

Every resource is explored in finding new loving families for the homeless pets who have found their way to the shelter.

Seymour resident Regan Rigsby and his wife, Carrie, have a couple of dogs at home and felt the need to help the shelter.

The Rigsbys had a huge Halloween light and projection display at their residence in October and included a donation box outside for Red Sky Rescue.

This month, they are helping the shelter once again by accepting donations outside with their Christmas display at 108 Meadowlark Drive East near Zion Lutheran Church on Seymour’s south side.

“I recently talked to Ruth and she was saying how the next few months they will be really tight on funds,” Regan said. “They are always needing help, and the weather is getting colder.”

The Rigsbys’ display of Christmas projections, inflatables and more than 10,000 lights will be set up through the rest of the month from 6 to 10 p.m. weekdays and from 6 p.m. to midnight Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

“There are some large candy canes outside leading up to the donation box,” Regan said. “Our goal is to raise at least $500 for Red Sky Rescue.”

Another way people can donate to the shelter is to go to paypal.com and donate any amount to [email protected].

Riley said when funds are donated through PayPal, the monetary gifts can go to work immediately to help the animals at the shelter.

If the donate button on Red Sky’s Facebook page is used, it takes at least a month before they would receive the gift.

Those who would like to help but prefer not to use PayPal can mail a check to Red Sky Rescue, 8305 W. County Road 150N, Medora, IN 47260. A tax-deductible receipt is available upon request.

Anyone who would like to meet one of the rescued and adoptable pets at the shelter is encouraged to make an appointment by calling 812-216-6310 or email [email protected].

Riley wants to thank those who have provided ongoing support over the years. She said they have always depended on compassionate members of the community to continue saving animals’ lives.

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Go to www.paypal.com and donate any amount to [email protected]. Those monetary gifts can go to work immediately to help the animals at the shelter.

Please do not use the ‘donate’ button on Red Sky’s Facebook page, as it takes at least a month before they would receive the gift and their need is urgent.

Another way to donate to the shelter is to mail a check to: Red Sky Rescue, 8305 W. Co. Rd. 150N, Medora, IN 47260. A tax-deductible receipt is available at your request.

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Information about Red Sky Rescue and pet adoptions

facebook.com/RedSkyRescueDogShelter

petfinder.com/search/dogs-for-adoption/us/in/47274/

[email protected]

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