Great place doing god's work. They work very hard every day and help lots of animals. They take good care of their animals, too. Janet Madden is a fine example of what you need in a shelter director.
Cara is a special place. Every animal there whether dog, cat, rabbit is lovingly cared for in every way. All are up to date on shots and well fed and taken out for daily exercise. Both my dogs are rescue shi-tzus from Cara. The employees and volunteers do a wonderful job. it's obvious how much they love our furry friends. I love being able to help by donating whatever their needs are. The Jackson area is so blessed to have a true no-kill shelter and the animals are blessed to have people who love and care for them.
I have struggled to find adequate words to describe what CARA means to me. To say that CARA is an animal rescue organization just doesn't seem to do them justice. It is so much more--in so many ways.. Yes, It is a true no-kill organization that cares for over 300 dogs, 120 cats, a few rabbits, an exotic bird or two, and even some Dumbo-eared mice. I cannot say enough good things about all their hard work and tireless dedication. They are filled with compassion for each and every animal they come in contact with. While being down to earth, they still have the right amount of humor to make any living thing special to them.. They truly are compassionate about the well being of the animals. In return you can see the love the animals have for their wonderful caregivers--their love is unconditional Many animals they come in contact with are mistreated and have never known what it feels like to be loved until now at CARA.
I STARTED VOLUNTEERING AT CARA IN SEPTEMBER 2009. I HAD LOST MY HUSBAND THE YEAR BEFORE AND LOST MY MOTHER LAT SEPTEMBER 2009 I WAS VERY DEPRESSED . HELPING AT CARA BY WORKING WITH AND TRAINING SOME DOGS HELPED ME FEEL NEEDED AND USEFUL. I FELT THE DOGS HELPED ME MORE THAN I HELPED THEM. I FEEL AS IF I AM GREATLY BLESSED BY BEING ABLE TO HELP EVEN IF ONLY IN SMALL WAYS I NOW VOLUNTEER 3 DAYS A WEEK ANSWERING TELEPHONE AND HELPING AS NEEDED . I HAVE FOSTERED DOGS IN THE PAST, BUT THIS LAST DOG WAS A MALE , SMALL LAP DOG , I HAVE MEDIUM SIZED DOGS. HE WAS ABLE TO BOND WITH MY TWO FEMALES AND WID HIMSELF INTO MY HEART. NEEDLESS TO SAY HE DID NOT GO BACK TO CARA TO BE ADOPTEDAS I HAD TO ADOPT HIM . THE STAFF AND DOGS AreALL MY FAMILY NOW. THEY CAN MAKE YOU FEEL VERY BLESSED AND WELCOMED. THEY DO SO MUCH FOR THE DOGS AND CATS AND IT IS A NO KILL SHELTER. EVERY DOG HAS A HOME HERE TILL IT IS ADOPTED OR OR FOR LIFE. DOGS AND CATS GIVE DO NOT JUDGE , THEY GIVE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.
In my time volunteering with CARA, I have had the opportunity to meet and work with a number of great people who strive to meet the needs of those they care and/or advocate for each day. --- Animal rescue work can be stressful, and in Mississippi, it can be even more so. Lower than average spay/neuter rates combined with mild winters and rural areas (in a state ranking 47th in animal cruelty laws) places a heavy demand on the animal shelters in Mississippi and the Jackson Metro area. However, the CARA shelter staff stays steadfast in the face of adversity, recognizing their mission is to take care of the furry family (all 300 plus dogs and 100 plus cats) that are part of CARA, receiving tail wags, puppy smiles, and cats meows. --- It is costly to operate an animal shelter, providing food, warmth, medical care, and comfort to the 400 plus furry friends at CARA It is a silent cost in society that is readily ignored in the public, at least in Mississippi as most shelters operate purely as non-profits with little or no government support, despite it being a societal issue. Nonetheless, the CARA Board and its members continually look for new ways to raise funds to support those they volunteered to take care of, competing for grants, competing in contests, developing new fundraisers, coming up with new items to sell, figuring out ways to conserve dollars, all to take care of those they volunteered to give for, and in return, receive the gift of barking dogs, lickies, purring kittens, smiling pups. --- In the end, volunteering with CARA is about a love for the animals, doing what is needed to take care of them, and it is an experience that is rewarded with the simplest gift of all, the gift of a dog or cat who says thank you for being with me today, and the gift we get for being with them.
Initially, I adopted a dog from CARA and then overtime I began to foster dogs at CARA as well. Over the past 8 months or so of fostering dogs, I have gotten to know the staff at CARA and let me tell you...They are wonderful. They spend countless hours at the shelter and dedicate so much of their emotions, time, and life to the animals at this shelter. Without a doubt, they care about the well-being of every animal in the shelter. For instance, when I went to adopt my first dog from them I was expecting to be able to bring Lucy home that day, but this was not the case. A few days later, I was contacted and told I would be able to adopt Lucy. I was fairly impressed that they took the time to call my vet and contact my references before they would let me adopt Lucy. This showed me that CARA is not "just another animal shelter who will give a dog to anyone." I honestly wish there was something that I could do for all of the staff at CARA to show them how much they are appreciated because I have seen them pour so much of themselves into this shelter.
The first word that comes to mind when I think of CARA is 'blessing'. Cara is made up of loving people who are nothing short of earth angels. These angels work miracles on the many needy animals that come into CARA. Many of which, anyone else would have given up all hope on. Our sweet Francis being just one of many examples. These angels give heart & soul to save these babies, including round the clock care when needed, out of pocket funds when necessary, the list just goes on & on. Many of these babies are, honestly, rejects, pets that have never known what human love looks like or feels like. To see these babies go from knowing no love or compassion to finding that there are humans who do love them passionately and unconditionally is the most heartwarming experience on the planet. Add to all of this the fact that this shelter is kept amazingly clean! I would have never thought it possible to keep everything so clean & orderly if I had I not been there to see it firsthand. I've seen how hard they work to ensure a clean & healthy environment for the many animals. It is through total devotion that they are able to accomplish this. I wish the entire rescue community could see how things are done at CARA. They are quite the example! They have inspired me more than words could ever say. I have never seen such dedication & devotion in my life. A day spent at CARA is the most uplifting experience one could imagine. There is no better way to spend a day than to see God working through these angels that He has placed there to love & protect His small creatures. The animals there are so loved, and you can see that with every animal in their care. Sometimes, I almost feel badly when an animal is being visited by a prospective adopter, because these animals feel so safe & secure in the arms of these angels. Life to them is awesome, they don't think they are missing anything at all, for they have it all, right there in their own little piece of Heaven. Yes, CARA is most definitely a blessing to our community & to our city, through rescuing, rehabilitating, re-homing, & providing education as well. I would hate to see where we would be without them, and I pray that we never have to find out.
Where do I begin? Not only has mine and my husbands life been enriched by volunteering for CARA, it has also been blessed by expanding our family with 3 wonderful dogs that we would not have had the pleasure of owning had CARA not provided food, shelter and love until we gave them a forever home. Housing over 300 dogs has to be such a daunting task but they are so dedicated to the animals and their well being, you would never know it. Specifically, a freezing February night in 2011 and Cara gets a call about a puppy near death, in a coma that someone has left in the freezing cold. Not only did they agree to take him in, but they spent countless hours nursing him back to health. He had to learn how to eat, how to stand and how to walk. Without their hardwork and dedication, he would not be where he is today. He has been adopted and shows no signs of his horrendous beginnings. Most recently, 2 day old puppies are found in a dumpster up the road from the shelter. Thankfully the person that left them there left them in a box with their address listed on it. Not only did CARA take in the puppies, they went to the owner and convinced them to surrender the mother dog and are working tirelessly to have the other animals spayed/neutered. They have done a great job of raising awareness of the need for stronger laws against animal cruelty and our states desperate need to become proactive animal owners (I.e. spay/neuter) Without them, thousands of dogs and cats would be wandering the streets, starving, neglected, abused....many of those animals adding to the pet overpopulation because they have not been spayed/neutered. They work tirelessly for these animals. It is their life, heart and passion. Our state is blessed by the work they do.
CARA is a wonderful organization and blessing to our community and state. Their tireless work rescuing and caring for animals in need is nothing short of a miracle. Along with volunteering my wife and I have also adopted three wonderful dogs from CARA.
ecame involved with CARA a couple of years thru a client who was doing a summer fundraiser and asked my husband and I to volunteer and work the event because they knew we had 5 dogs and that we love animals! The next year, we became more actively involved in the event and became to learn more about CARA and my husband was asked to be a part of the board. He had 12 years of fundraising experience and I suggested he could be a good asset to them. Thru this, i have come to see first hand how the mission of CARA to help abandoned, abused, neglected and homeless animals find refuge and healing and then loving homes they so just deserve is carried out. The staff, shelter director and founders are actively involved in the daily care and maintenance of all the animals in their care. It is tireless effort for each and every animal that is brought to them for refuge. The dedication they show to the animals is truly remarkable. The story repeated on here earlier of Francis and the round the clock support and effort for his survival is just one of the many displays of love and dedication this group provides to animals in the care. Another example is Sara Elizabeth, who was brought to the shelter because she was not growing like her liter mates. Her body was rejecting the food she was taking in. So the staff at CARA watched her around the clock for a week and would not give up on this little one. They bottle feed her every few hours and tried multiple things till her body started to take the food she was given. She is now a vibrant little puppy! But most people would have given up and put her to sleep. but thru there efforts, she is a beautiful little girl! This is just 2 of the examples of the work of CARA. When you go out to the shelter, you know the animals there are cared for and safe. What a wonderful world it would be if all animals were cared for and safe in loving homes!! CARA also promotes spay/neuter to help eliminate the overpopulation problem.
To Whom it May Concern: Community Animal Rescue and Adoption (CARA) truly is an amazing place! I have been involved with CARA for the past 5 years, in one aspect or another, and just cannot say enough about this organization. CARA has seen it all... from bunnies, to rats; from healthy animals to animals on death's door; and from the cute and playful to the unadoptable. Through it all CARA never ceases to amaze me. Located in the Jackson area, it is one of several shelters in our area, but has such a strong following and such a great base of givers - and for good reason - it is the best shelter in the area. CARA has provided temporary and long-term housing to a countless number of animals since it opened almost 11 years ago, and with support and exposure that it might recieve due to campaigns like this one, it can continue to get unwanted, abused animals into loving homes while promoting spay/neuter.
I started volunteering with CARA almost 5 years ago. Several things I learned in a very brief time. CARA kept its animals and kennels clean. They were well fed and the staff knew the animals. Every kennel worker had a rapport with the animals they cared for, knew their story and worked with the animals to improve their lives. Puppies especially but all dogs that liked balls or toys had them in their kennels. Animals were given a treat each night before they went to sleep. It was not a sad place but a place of love and hope. I've seen volunteers and staff both pull money out of their own pockets when something was needed for the animals. Since this shelter operates on donations and grants and cares for approximately 300 dogs and 125 cats money is managed to the penny. I believe at last indication 97% of all income went directly to animal care. THEY CARE!!
Last February I saw a post on Community Animal Rescue and Adoptions (CARA) facebook page about a 3-month old sheltie/shepherd mix puppy that had been found thrown out in a box on the side of the road. He was frozen, starved, dehydrated and in a coma. After receiving emergency medical from their vet, he was monitored and cared for 24 hours a day by the wonderful and caring staff at CARA. They would take turns taking him home at night so he could sleep next to someone and know if he woke up that there was a kind, loving hand there to help him. Feeding tubes were inserted and remained in for over 2 months. After several days, he woke from his coma but was unable to stand or walk. CARA continually sent out prayer requests for this puppy, Francis, who they named after St. Francis of Assisi. When he got a little stronger, they had a human physical therapist come to work with him. After several weeks of therapy several times a day, he was able to stand and eventually walk. The loving, caring people at CARA wanted nothing more than for this special puppy to find a loving home and live a happy life that we would hope all homeless animals could find. After weeks of going over applications and doing interviews we were the lucky family chosen to adopt this special puppy. Without the extra care and love of the dedicated staff at CARA, this puppy would not be here today.
I am honored to write a letter of support for CARA. I first became aware of CARA last year when we lost our little yorkie Brunhilda, and we were looking for a companion for Bailey, Brunhilda’s sister. By the happiest of accidents a friend volunteers for CARA and had posted pictures from CARA's annual Dog Days of Summer on her Facebook page. I was immediately drawn to Baxter and was soon filling out an application. Baxter came to join our family on Labor Day of 2010, and we cannot imagine our family without him. The whole family competes for his attention, and he has helped us with our grieving from losing Brunhilda. CARA made the whole process so easy, and they even brought Baxter to my house so Baxter could see if he liked us and we liked him. He does, and we do.
Once I was aware of CARA, I became a fan, helping with donations when I could. Then last winter I saw CARA at its best when they helped a puppy survive who had been thrown away as a box of garbage in the winter's cold. When found the puppy, Francis, was in a coma. Yes, Francis is named after St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. I, like many others, checked CARA's site often to see if Francis had survived another day. A CARA worker nursed this puppy to health by giving him round the clock care. Once he came out of his coma, the hard work started of getting him to stand and walk. To watch this unfold was humbling, and CARA with its team of volunteers performed this miracle with a community watching and praying. Francis became the face of animal abuse, and our state's new animal abuse legislation was passed, surely in part, because of CARA and their tireless work for abused and discarded animals.
Francis is truly an inspiring story of triumph over adversity. While certainly not as extreme or emotional, we feel Baxter has given our family much the same injection of hope and spirit as Francis has given North America. Baxter is a bundle of joy who is always glad to welcome us home. As soon as you open the door, he is the first to greet you. He has trained the entire family to give him treats when he wants them. We are sure he believes humans must be slow learners. He is a beautiful dog with a spirited personality who has inspired love and affection.
I came to Cara 3 yrs ago. I needed a job life had been hard on me I had made a lot of wrong decisions in life and needed a fresh start.So they hired me at cara. And during these years I have been there Cara has turned my life around and has given meaning to life. I have a fresh outlook on life and my world is wonderful. These animals are what keeps me going. I take care of the sick that comes through our doors. What I am saying is cara not only gives animals a second chance at life they do the same for people. I dont know where I would be today if I hadnt found cara. But cara has given me a reason to continue to do the right things in life. I will be forever grateful to them. When I come in to work in the mornings and I get greeted by the sounds of these babies who are so glad to see me I know I have found my place in life to help those that cant help there self
CARA provides a safe loving environment for animals that need a little help finding a home. There are so many components (clean healthy environment, good employees, community support, adoption options) to having a well run shelter and CARA is hitting each target extremely well. This is a true no kill shelter and there are always some dogs that are not thought to be very adoptable. Less than ten percent of our dogs have bee at the shelter longer than five years. We are very thankful we have CARA to take care of our city's pets without a home.
In February 2011 a friend posted a picture on Facebook of a tiny puppy who had been starved and frozen almost to death. He had been found by a loving couple and brought to CARA - Community Animal Rescue & Adoption the next morning. Under his picture CARA asked that people keep this tiny puppy in their thoughts and prayers, in the hopes that he could beat all the odds stacked against him. With the love and personal care by the people of CARA, the medical treatment of their vet, the help of a volunteer physical therapist, and the thoughts and prayers from people around the world that precious puppy did beat the odds and he now has a happy and loving forever family.
I was lucky enough in August 2011 to drive from Ontario Canada to Jackson Mississippi and meet not only Francis and his family, but to be able to go to CARA and meet the caring people who work there and all their fur babies in their care. CARA has a lot of homeless animals to look after and they do their best to find loving forever homes for them. Unfortunately there are some animals who will never find their very own homes, but they will still be loved and cared for because CARA will never euthanize any of the animals (they are a true NO-KILL shelter) unless the vet says nothing else can be done for them and they are suffering. If it should come to that, at least one of the caring people from CARA will be with the fur baby to the very end so they will know that they were truly loved. Even though I live in a different country, I will always admire and support CARA, and I am happy to have met and become friends with the wonderful people there.
I first found out about CARA from a friend on Facebook. There had been a puppy brought to CARA by a very caring couple, who found him in a box, thrown out like trash, in the freezing weather. He was near death, in a coma. I followed that puppy everyday, several times a day... And the people at CARA gave him so much tender loving care. He was given special attention 24-7, as some of the CARA family took him home with them, not only to moniter and care for him, but also because they really didn't think he would live and just wanted him to feel love. He survived!! His name is Francis, as they named him after St. Francis. CARA had a physical therapist, who volunteered to come and help him, as he couldn't even walk. Ever since then I have been a CARA follower, and have witnessed one case of animal cruelty and neglect after another come through the doors of CARA, and seen the love, care, and tenderness they give to all of "their babies". I have never seen such a group of people be so unselfish, so giving, so caring, as the CARA family. I am happy and proud to say we have all developed a friendship that will last a lifetime. God Bless CARA!!
I have had my CARA cat for about 2 years and love him so much. It was obvious he was well cared for at CARA which is why he is so well adjusted today. One of my close friends volunteers at CARA so I see first hand so much of the good work they do every day for abused and unwanted animals. I really appreciate the focus CARA places on educating the public on the importance of spaying and neutering pets. This is the root of the animal overpopulation problem that creates the need for shelters like CARA. Thank goodness CARA is here to give second chances to so many dogs and cats in our area!
I have nothing but the utmost respect for CARA and the way they care for all animals that need healing, love and a tender touch. CARA staff are genuine, caring, non-judgemental and put the pets in their care first. CARA only receives donations from the public, grants and contests, as they are a non-profile, no kill agency. I am very pleased with any and all dealings I have had with CARA in the past and if I ever adopt again, CARA will be the only agency I turn to.
My heart goes out to animals of all kind. When I moved to Brandon, I wanted to know what I could do to help animals in need. For me, I wish I could take all of the animals home with me because I knew they'd be euthanized or left to the elements to die. That's when a friend told me about CARA of Mississippi, a no-kill shelter. I knew this was the place for me. the wonderful people here make every effort to take the animals that are unwanted and unloved to give them to good homes and loving families. I help with the cattery socializing the sick cats. I hold them, brush them, and give them as much love as I can possibly give. This way, I can make sure these animals know they are loved and wanted.
My daughter & I started volunteering with CARA in Sept. 2001. She was the cat-lover, while I worked with the dogs. I have seen my fair share of stories, both good & bad, come through our doors. All have been loved equally and unconditionally. All of my pets are CARA dogs and cats and I wouldn't trade them for the world. My very first foster was a litter of eight 1 month old Boxer pups that were abandoned at the Reservoir.
joined the CARA Community Council in 2008. I had been sponsoring a dog there by the name of "Dexter" for several years and know I wanted to get more involved with the Shelter. On my first visit to the shelter I was so overwhelmed and emotional to see all their many dogs and cats. I decided the best way I could help them was to get involved with fundraising and events to make everyone else aware of this wonderful organization. I have seen so many miracles occur these last couple of years. Dogs brought in on the brink of death or in horrendous conditions., newborn puppies abandoned at the door without their mother, you name it. Whatever the situation the wonderful staff always has the animals' best interest at heart. They tirelessly bottle feed the babies, patiently lay with the suffering, take them into their personal care for days and always find a way to nurse them back to a hearlthy dogs that any family would be blessed to adopt. People sometimes tend to misjudge the CARA Staff--they are not trying to be anything but the earth angels they are to all their shelter children. God bless them.
I first met Bear in September 2009 when I started volunteering in the cattery at Community Animal Rescue and Adoption (CARA) in Jackson, MS. I was recovering from cancer surgery and Bear seemed to be very slowly emerging from his own ordeal. At first he was so shy I could barely pet him but I kept reaching out to him because, at some level, we had already bonded. After a few months, Bear let me pet him and eventually brush him—which he loved. Even though I felt affection for all the cats in the cattery, Bear was special and he kept tugging at my heart. In July 2010, I lost my 12 year old rescue cat, Thunder, which broke my spirit in so many ways. After months of grieving Thunder’s loss, I knew it was time to bring Bear home to meet his new companion, Lightning, my 13 year old rescue cat. No one could ever replace Thunder but Bear has become a much loved member of our family. I am convinced that the special care Bear received at CARA is the only reason he is still alive and healthy—physically and emotionally—today.
After adopting Bear I began volunteering more and more at CARA because I saw what a special place it is for so many abused, unwanted and neglected animals—300 dogs and 125 cats to be exact. The staff at CARA gives their all each and every day to improve the lives of these innocent animals. I am blessed to be a part of the CARA family.