BARCS E-News "Scoop"

Pause for Paws!  BARCS is in the midst of our Annual Fund Appeal!  Please don't forget to send in your support before the end of the year!  Click here to read the letter or download the form or simply donate online.  If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please email us.

Thanks to everyone who purchased Holiday Poinsettias from BARCS.  We raised over $3,500 for the animals!

In this Issue:

-  Donate to help Russ, the latest Franky Fund candidate
-  View our featured adoptable pets!
-  Take your holiday pet pictures with Santa!
-  Learn about charitable gifts to BARCS from your IRA
-  Check out all of BARCS upcoming events, and
-  Read about a recent donation and a special opportunity to volunteer for the animals

Donate for a Good Paws

Please help BARCS save this amazing dog’s life.  Russ, a Catahoula Shepherd mix, arrived at BARCS with 2 broken elbows.  Despite his leg pain, he never hesitates to give kisses freely to those near him.  At first he could barely walk, yet he scooted onto our shelter veterinarian’s lap to cuddle with her.  He loves belly rubs and kisses and is good with other dogs.  Our entire staff has fallen in love with him and so will you.   

Unfortunately Russ’ condition requires an orthopedic specialist to repair both elbow fractures.  The cost of this surgery will require special fundraising.  The staff and volunteers who have met him are trying to raise the funds on their own to make this happen.  Fortunately, Dr. Peter Lotsikas at Veterinary Orthopedic Sports Medicine Group in Ellicott City has agreed to donate his time to evaluate and perform surgery on Russ.  However, even with the services donated, the surgery cost will still be expensive.  Now, with the BARCS Franky Fund, you can help animals that are severely injured - like Russ - and give them the medical attention they need, so they can go on to live a happy, healthy life.  

We have a foster home set up to care for Russ after the surgery.  We are keeping him at the shelter on daily pain medication in hopes that we can raise enough money for his surgery.  He will “sit pretty” in a begging stance for his meds, which just melts our hearts.   Now all we need are the funds to afford his surgery.  Please help us raise these funds to give Russ a second chance at life.  Donate online here at this special "Franky Fund" page.  If you are interested in adopting this special dog, please email us.  On behalf of Russ and everyone at BARCS, thank you!

Russ needs your help!

Christmas came a little early this year for BARCS!  Supporters lined up to get their picture taken with Santa to help raise funds for the Franky Fund.  Two fundraisers were held on November 22nd in Riverside Park and December 6th in Federal Hill Park, raising nearly $2,000 for BARCS!  A special thanks to Sally Ann Jennings, Tamara Granger, and "Santa" who runs the OhMiDog.com blog for putting the fundraisers together.  Below are Taz (a BARCS adoptee) and Gretta (left) and Cooper (right), who was adopted from BARCS in 2005.

Students from St. Casimir's Catholic School
in Canton collected items for BARCS!