MILLTOWN – Karma Cat + Zen Dog Rescue Society has received a $10,000 grant to continue their mission of providing “a safe and peaceful haven for homeless, abandoned or abused animals,” according to Krystal Hasard, executive director of the Society.
The society received the grant from the Sidewalk Angels Foundation, a nonprofit organization led by sing-songwriter Rob Thomas and his wife, Marisol.
“We are honored to have been chosen for this grant from the Sidewalk Angels Foundation,” Hasard said.
The Sidewalk Angels Foundation has been a longtime supporter of the work Karma Cat + Zen Dog Rescue Society does, with the first grant issued in 2013 and subsequent grant in 2016.
“The rescue will use the funds to care for needy animals, such as a recently rescued family of cats, including a mother named Mama Sicily and her kittens,” Hasard said.
The cats were discovered in the midst of the recent heat wave outside a volunteer’s house. Mama Sicily was clearly looking for help and ran right up to her would-be rescuers, calling for her kittens to follow. The little family has since received medical care and are enjoying the comforts of their foster homes while awaiting adoption, Hasard said.
Sidewalk Angels Foundation is dedicated to providing critically needed funds and support to over 20 no-kill animal shelters and animal rescues, across the country, that help to fight for the rights and fair treatment of those with no voice, according to its website.
Several other organizations also received grants from the Sidewalk Angels Foundation, all of which were funded by Thomas’ charity concerts this past year. Thomas is best known for being the lead singer of the band Matchbox 20.
In past years, the foundation has helped rescues with no physical structure other than some fencing and sheds, and no real funding, to build proper facilities with indoor and outdoor kennels. They were also able to help organizations across the United States with big cross-country rescues and large medical expenses incurred during these rescues, according to its website.
Sidewalk Angels is also committed to helping organizations dedicated to increasing public awareness through educational programs that focus on the frequency of violent crimes against animals, and the correlation between animal abuse and violent behavior towards people, according to its website.
To learn more about the Sidewalk Angels Foundation, visit sidewalkangelsfoundation.org.
Karma Cat + Zen Dog Rescue Society is a volunteer-run, nonprofit with an adoption center in Milltown at 39 S Main St.
Sisters Christie and Michelle Arlotta formed the Society. They knew that they wanted to change the fate of homeless, abandoned, or abused animals, while offering them a safe and peaceful haven during the transition, according to their website.
Through the help of their leadership and animal care volunteers, board members, donations, and grants, they are able to operate our adoption, trap-neuter-return, and education programs to further our mission.
To learn more about Karma Cat + Zen Dog Rescue Society, viKarsit karmacatzendog.org.
