“We cordially invite you to a day of loveliness. A day to breathe the fresh air, enjoy the gardens, all while helping us carry on Rescue.  Plants to purchase, lots of hand-made items, Refreshments and A special Rose Garden gift shop with Vintage and Springtime florals. Art by PETRA - Kris Raines will display her art and take orders. This is a fundraiser for our CARE rescue mission.”

Covington Animal Rescue Effort’s mission began from the heart of Sarah Sullivan.  After a trip to the Covington City Pound, she realized that the dogs there had no hope, only due to limited staffing and funding.  The pound was in desperate need of volunteer help. During the first several weeks of repeated trips back, she helped place 16 dogs.  And she found a great group of people who wanted to help. With that help, CARE has facilitated in 1153 adoptions to date. Members work tirelessly to make sure the animals find a real home or are reunited with the people who loved them.  Now, it’s not a one-way trip when animals are brought to the pound.

CARE holds events during the year to help raise funds to support their needy furbabies.  Recently, they held ‘A Walk In The Garden’ at the Rose Garden, in Covington. The group got together and not only set-up a wonderful event, they made home canned items, like strawberry and blueberry jelly and other fruit jams that were absolutely wonderful, along with other hand-made delicacies and treasures. Plants were coordinated by Lee Riley, who worked so hard in getting everything together - plants were donated, dug and potted, grown from seed and sold as part of the fundraising effort. Art by PETRA - Kris Raines - was also on display. Raines took orders for the day as well. Bat houses, made by Kim Kellum,  were on display, with orders available. This year’s event was even better than the inaugural event last year, and they were well pleased with the turnout and the progress of the event. 

The day was hosted by the core members of CARE on the grounds of the Rose Garden.  “We have a small group, but everybody does what they do best,” Ellen Weedman continued, “and it all pulls together really well.”

And what would a day of loveliness be without the wonderful refreshments that were provided by Smokey Mountain Catering, Jimmy, and Teresa Duvall.  They worked hard to make the perfect menu, which included divine key lime tarts, asparagus wraps, cucumber sandwiches, refreshing Sangria and a Summer Berry infused water.

CARE also holds adoptions during the year at the Atoka Hollywood Feed, Covington Tractor Supply, Covington Advance America and Covington Shoe Sensation.  Adoption events are noisy and fun, and the best part is that fur babies find a forever home! Other events to benefit CARE Cannery Tasting Event with hopes of adding recipe cards for sale this year, and Winter Nest Gift Event, as well as a Pet Photos with Santa event prior to Christmas at Hollywood Feed.

They are ready to start canning for this year’s event.  “We’re getting everything ready for the fall!" Adoption events are held every third Saturday at Hollywood Feed in Atoka.  Kim Kellum is the adoption coordinator who finds the right dog for the right person!

CARE tries to help other shelters as they can, and other organizations as they can.  It’s been a blessing for the Covington pound, for sure.

Along with rescuing the dogs, the CARE team has been working for the last year and a half with a team from the West Tennessee prison at Ft. Pillow.  When the women inmates were moved from the Mark Luttrell complex in Memphis to West Tennessee, Nina Wingfield called CARE. She had been working with the Collierville Animal Shelter and a group at the prison to provide training for puppies and dogs who are ready to be adopted, but lack house training and obedience.  The inmates get to teach the dogs and learn to care for them - along with the responsibility of another creature. At Ft. Pillow, they have worked together to make a 5-week program in which the dog stays with the inmate team, learns obedience, house training, and a few ‘tricks’ that are just for fun. The women inmates at the prison love the dogs and this program has been a Godsend for them, and for CARE.

The inmates and the CARE team put together a graduation ceremony for the dogs, complete with a diploma, talent show, and the best news is that most of the dogs are ‘pre-adopted’ before they come out of the program - who wouldn’t want a puppy that’s already housebroken?  The CARE team consists of Lisa Tennyson, Teresa Duvall, Jeremy Clayton (the trainer of the group - who also owns ‘Full of Sit’) and Everett Hutcherson.

To find out more about CARE, please visit their website - or their Facebook page.