Animals could be homeless if Yerington shelter closes

YERINGTON -- One of Nevada's few no-kill animal shelters could be shut down at the end of September if the director can't come up with $10,000 to purchase the building.

The owners of the building, who live in Arizona, want to sell it for $30,000, with a $10,000 down payment due Sept. 21.

But Michael Kane, director of operations for the Animal Rescue Foundation, said he is not sure he can come up with the money to buy the building and keep the animals safe.

And if Kane does not have $10,000 for a down payment, he said, he will be forced to leave the building and turn the animals over to Lyon County, where they will most likely be killed.

"We're doing the best we can," he said. "Finding room is too expensive."

The Animal Rescue Foundation had plans to move into a $300,000 donated building in Mound House, but Lyon County commissioners stopped construction on the building in February, two months after it started, and denied a special use permit for the new building.

Kane's only other choice was to remain in the Yerington building, and the owners lowered the price from $50,000 to $30,000 so Kane could purchase the building, but he is still struggling with the cost.

"If we don't come up with something reasonable with the owners I will have to leave," Kane said.

The foundation is home to 25 dogs and cats, and in the past four years since Kane has worked there the foundation has saved 741 animals and placed 735 in homes.

YOU CAN HELP:

The Animal Rescue Foundation in Yerington is seeking donations so the animals can stay in the current building. The foundation needs to raise $10,000 by Sept. 21. Send a check made out to ARF at 28 Highway 95 A North, Yerington NV 89447 or call (888) 206-4393 for information on how to help.