Mooresville animal rescue faces funding crisis as need reaches all-time high

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Piedmont Animal Rescue in Mooresville has given thousands of animals a second chance. Now, it needs the community’s help to keep its doors open.

The rescue started in 2017, after founder Jason Benge saw a problem he could no longer ignore.

“I saw the need in the community and stepped up to try to start a rescue that could ease that capacity of having overcrowded shelters,” he told Channel 9’s Miana Massey.

At Piedmont Animal Rescue, the wait for a new family doesn’t happen inside a kennel. Dozens of volunteers open their own homes until the right match comes along. For volunteer Donna Cameli, saying goodbye means the system worked.

“I just love the idea of finding them homes quickly, finding them homes locally, and I can keep up with some of the adopters too and see how they are doing,” she said.

However, the need is currently outpacing donations available to meet it, and Piedmont isn’t the only shelter struggling. In June, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Control changed its pet surrender policy. Owners can no longer surrender cats or dogs to the shelter due to capacity issues.

Piedmont says its surrender list has reached an all-time high. It also accepts emergency medical cases, with veterinary bills totaling about $1 million a year.

“When the donations drop, we don’t have the funds to continue to do what we do,” Benge said.

The rescue is now asking the community to help close the gap by donating, volunteering or sharing its fundraising campaign.

“Nobody here really profits,” Cameli said. “It’s all volunteers, and their heart is to save and rescue and rehome animals who need that.”

Despite the uncertainty, Benge says the animals are the reason they keep pushing forward.

“They don’t have a voice; they can’t fend for themselves,” he said. “They can’t take care of themselves, so they need us to help take care of them and be their guide into their forever home.”

Piedmont Animal Rescue has raised 80% of its goal. Benge says they have until Oct. 1 to find the rest.

Click here for more information on how to volunteer or donate to Piedmont Animal Rescue.

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