The Troy Animal Rescue Project was founded in March 2014 by Tiffany Howling. Since that time, 5,000 animals have been adopted through the project.  Last Saturday, that number was upped by 11.

TARP sponsored Kenneled for K9s on the square in downtown Troy as a way to raise awareness about the rescue project, raise funds for the project and find forever homes for adoptable dogs and cats. Lynn Hughes, project member, said Kenneled for K9s was successful all around.

“We wanted to try something fun and different and something to get the community involved,” she said. “We set up a 10×10-foot kennel as a doggie jail for the people on our ‘wanted’ list.”

Those on TARP’s “wanted” list were those who “wanted” to provide their support to the fundraising and awareness efforts of the local rescue project.

“Their bail was $250 and, if they raised their bail before Saturday, they avoided going to Doggie Jail,” Hughes said. “Some of them raised their bail while others had to go to jail and raise their bail from behind bars.”

The funds raised will support TARP’s rescue efforts and are greatly appreciated, Hughes said. And, topping off the fundraising event were the 11 adoptions of rescued dogs and cats.

“Some of those who adopted had seen photos of the puppies and came with plans to adopt,” Hughes said. “Others were on the square for lunch or shopping and saw us there and came over and ended up adopting.”

Once a puppy or kitty has won a heart, the adoption process is relatively simple. “An application is filled out and, then, we do a home check to ensure the safety of the animal,” Hughes said. “Once the home check is passed, the fee is paid, $50 for a dog and $25 for a cat, and the adoption is completed.”

TARP is a foster-based organization, meaning the rescue volunteers provide bedding and food. All those who foster the animals have to do is provide love until they are adopted.

And, the need for people to foster animals in great.

“Right now is puppy season and we are inundated with puppies,” Hughes said. “Friday, we sent 63 dogs and puppies to a no-kill rescue facility up north. There are 100 no-kill rescue facilities around the country that we work with and they stay busy.”

Hughes said the best way to control the abandoned and neglected dog and cat population is by having the animals spayed and neutered.

“The fewer animals we have to rescue, the easier it will be to find homes for those we do rescue,” she said.

Funding is always a concern for the TARP volunteers. The project provides the bedding, food and any medications for the animals that are fostered until they are adopted. “That way, we know that they have had all of their shots and other meds and that they have been well taken care of when they are adopted out,” Hughes said.

“There are always out of pocket expenses. We are out every weekend fundraising to keep the project going. We have people who make items for us to sell as fundraisers, things like picture frames, candles, key chains. And, we get donation that really help. We appreciate everything that is done to help us help animals.”

To volunteer with the Troy Animal Rescue Project, call 334-224-5994. For more information or do donate to the animal rescue project call 334-268-6160.