Alabama Tornado Recovery

4th Load of Tornado Supplies Taken by BARC! to Cullman Animal Shelter

The Baldwin County Humane Society (BARC!) personally delivered four van loads of items most needed to Cullman County’s only animal shelter in response to the continuing need for pet supplies for Alabama Tornado Recovery.

BARC! collects donations from Petsense at the Tanger Outlet in Foley then drives them to the Cullman County Animal Shelter.

“This was our fourth trip since the April 27 tornadoes to deliver items for the Cullman pets affected” remarked Beverly Hicks, BARC! Transport and Dog Adoption Coordinator. “The trips were made at the same time our dogs were taken to meet transport to their new homes on the East Coast.”

Since 2007 BARC! has been meeting the commercial transport trucks that have allowed for tens of thousands of dogs and cats to be saved from high-rate kill shelters –- they do not transport for breeders, puppy mills or pet stores. Animal Planet's Last Chance Highway eight-part reality series depicted the monumental mission of a dedicated handful of animal rescuers. Eight dogs are the most BARC! has put on transport in one day; more than 100 Baldwin County dogs have found a furever home throughout the New England area including Canada.

The Baldwin County Humane Society (BARC!) is a no-kill adoption agency (rather than a shelter). They are a 501(c)3 not-for-profit established in 1979; they were the first and remain the only county-wide animal welfare agency. Its goal is to eliminate the number of abused and abandoned pets through spay/neuter, education, rescue and adoption.

Pictured from left: Diane Bruce, BARC! volunteer and Beverly Hicks, BARC! Transport and Dog Adoption Coordinator, with Cullman County Animal Shelter manager Candie Horsley and A.J. Spells.

In response to the urgent need for pet supplies for Alabama Tornado Recovery, the oldest animal advocacy group in Baldwin County, the Baldwin County Humane Society (BARC!) personally delivered items most needed to Tuscaloosa’s first animal welfare organization, the Humane Society of West Alabama (HSWA).

Jimmie Perry, HSWA Board President, accepted several bags of items from Brenda Presley and Natalie Dumas, BARC! volunteers. “We appreciate the support” remarked Perry.

BARC! will continue to collect items at Petsense at the Tanger Outlet in Foley. Cory Stanfield, Store Manager, commented “The collection bucket filled up with tornado recovery pet supplies three times in two days. People are donating food, pet items and money.”

“We bought collars, leashes and bowls – items on HSWA’s most needed list -- with the donations people made to us for the tornado recovery animals” stated Sonja Presley, BARC! Executive Director.

BARC! is picking up the items from Petsense and getting them to the north Alabama humane societies.

BARC! incorporated in 1979 as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit and was the first county-wide animal welfare organization. To make an online donation, visit www.BaldwinHumane.org; for more information call 251.928.4585.

HSWA was Tuscaloosa’s first animal welfare organization and has been serving the community since 1971.Details on www.HumaneSocietyofWA.org.

Pictured is Brenda Presley, BARC! Volunteer; Jimmie Perry, President, HSWA Board of Directors and Natalie Dumas, BARC! Volunteer. Photo courtesy of Sherri Dumas.