RICHMOND, Va. -- Richmond Animal Care and Control is reaching out to the community for help after city budget cuts to help Richmond Public Schools have left the shelter short of funds.
The budget cuts has cost the shelter $43,020, most of which will be pulled from vet care.
The shelter went to Facebook to ask their friends to make up the deficit for the year.
“We are reaching out to our FB family to help us recover those funds in private donations. If each of our FB friends gives just $4.30 we will be set for the year!” the shelter wrote in the post.
The shelter’s goal is to raise $43,020 in one week; so far they've raised $10,740, as of 5 p.m. Monday.
Richmond City Council member Charles Samuel says city council didn't make the budget cuts.
"The Mayor made these cuts. Council simply didn't put the money back for one simple reason. We have to take care of our schools. We have to make sure our students get the money they deserve," he said.
Richmond Animal Welfare Foundation says they will use the donated funds to support the medical care and treatment of their animals.
“We’re asking the community to once against stand behind Richmond Animal Care and Control through Richmond Animal Welfare foundation,” said Brittany Schaal, President of Richmond Animal Welfare Foundation. “We’ve been humbled by the support in the past and today we’ve raised thousands of dollars.”
Schaal said community donations means a lot for the animals at the shelter and animals they take in.
“This means that some of the animals might not get the opportunities that they otherwise would have been presented with,” she added.
According to RACC, they’re the only government shelter in Richmond that provides medical care to abused, abandoned, and stray animals.
If you would like to donate click here:
Donations can also be mailed to:
Richmond Animal Welfare Foundation (RAWF)
c/o Richmond AC&C
1600 Chamberlayne Avenue
Richmond, Virginia 23222
