New ARF sanctuary for elderly and disabled pets opening soon

<p>Reagan the cat, was found on Reagan Street in front of the ARF shelter inside a taped up box. ARF's new sanctuary for disabled and elderly is set to be open within the next few months. <strong>Stephanie Amador, DN</strong></p>

Reagan the cat, was found on Reagan Street in front of the ARF shelter inside a taped up box. ARF's new sanctuary for disabled and elderly is set to be open within the next few months. Stephanie Amador, DN

Muncie’s Animal Rescue Fund (ARF) is looking to open a new sanctuary house for elderly and disabled pets in the next three months.

Jody Leddy, ARF’s executive director, said via email the “private, not-for-profit animal rescue shelter and low-cost spay/neuter/vaccination/wellness veterinary clinic” broke ground in late August on a 2100 square foot lot behind the organization's main building at 1209 W. Riggin Road. 

Founded in June 1998 by Terri Panszi, the ARF’s mission statement says it strives  “to promote our promise of love for all animals through education, medical care, prevention and placement.”

The facility will allow the organization to care for pets of all ages and with different needs easier than how they currently do, and hopefully meet the demands of locals requesting help with disabled and elderly animals

“The sanctuary babies need a special place to live, play, rest, and enjoy their lives,” Leddy said. “The building will be state-of-the art, with emphasis on comfort, sanitation, love and peacefulness for the animals.”

ARF’s original house initially house all ARF animals, but it would later become a sanctuary house for elderly and disabled pets.

However, the old sanctuary house – located just down the road from the current ARF facility – did not meet the standards to care for pets with special needs any longer. In March 2017, ARF decided something had to be done to help the animals.

Local ARF supporters Dave and Ann Marie Ross are credited for making the project possible. After Scherrer Construction came in to look at the old sanctuary house, Anne Marie, who also works at Scherrer Construction, decided she and Dave wanted to donate a new building to replace the original house. 

“Dave and Ann Marie Ross have been huge ARF supporters for many years.  They have adopted ARF animals and have always been very generous donors,” Leddy said.

ARF plans on naming the new building Jeff’s House, after Dave and Ann Marie Ross’ son Jeff Ross, who died of cancer almost two years ago. Jeff also had an avid love for animals.

Jeff’s House will have the capacity to hold 16 to 20 animals upon completion. The animals will be housed in kennels, which are not only homier, but easier to keep clean. In addition to the kennels, the building also will “have a play space, a ‘living room,’ a veterinary exam area, restroom, lobby and storage.”

“The greater Muncie community, with private donations, has kept ARF going and saved over 10,000 animals in the last 20 years,” Leddy said. 

Mari Streetman, who has adopted from ARF in the past, shared her excitement toward the new animal sanctuary through Facebook message. 

“At the sanctuary, the animals will have the same people they see everyday. They will be loved on and taken out for walks. I think it’s really wonderful that the organization can offer that to animals that need it,” Streetman said.

The new building is scheduled to be completed within the next two to three months.

Contact Taylor Smith with comments at tnsmith6@bsu.edu

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