Animal rescue groups unite for Saturday event

By AMY CANNON-PARKER/Correspondent

Saturday, Aug. 21, will be a big day in Saltville. Besides having the yearly Battle for Saltville Civil War re-enactment and evening car race, the town will also host the first Siberian Husky Assist Rescue event Saving Lives – Pets and People. The event will be held at the Dollar General Store on Palmer Avenue from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Many other groups will attend the first-time event, including the Smyth County Humane Society, Lost Fantasy Stables Rescue, All Are God's Creatures reptile and wildlife rescue, and more. The Smyth County Police K-9 Search and Rescue bloodhound will be in attendance along with the Red Cross, teaching canine CPR.
“We've set up this event and invited other groups to educate people about different animals, and what kind of animal would be best for their family,” said Marcia Horne, president of the Bristol Siberian Husky Assist Rescue. “We did this last year in Bristol and about 300 people showed up. We hope to have a good turnout like that in Saltville this Saturday.”
The Siberian Husky Assist Rescue will have dog-sledding equipment and will talk about the Siberian Husky and its history. The group is celebrating their fifth year re-enacting the 1925 Alaska Serum Run on the Virginia Creeper Trail this January. Group members also have a dog sledding club, which teaches dry-land sledding for those with large breed, high-energy dogs.
“All of these groups do pretty much the same thing: rescue animals, take care of them, then find them homes,” said Horne. “Except for the wildlife rescue. They rescue animals then return them to the wild. They can't adopt them out to people.”
Horne said anyone who really wants to work with their animals, and train them, would be drawn to this event. And a big added bonus to be provided Saturday is vouchers to have animals spayed or neutered if the family can't afford it.
“This will be available through the Margaret Mitchell spay and neuter in Bristol,” said Horne. “They have a transport van that runs through Smyth County. The people will take their animal to the transport area, not all the way to Bristol. Then the next day, the van brings the animals back. And we will have vouchers to help with all that.”
Horne said that the groups will also have items to sell for their fund-raising programs.
“We're hoping for a good turnout Saturday,” said Horne. “With the war re-enactment and the car race that night, maybe people will just make a day of it and visit us too. Then they can have a great day.”