TEXARKANA, Tx. - The Texarkana Animal League dealt with multiple issues last week, requiring it to temporarily close on Saturday.
The air-conditioning went out and the refrigerator began leaking, affecting the animals' food and medicines. And a plumbing issue caused flooding.
Business and Community Relations Manager Sabra Crabtree said the nonprofit is grateful to the community for its generosity for the repairs and donations.
Currently, its biggest need is for volunteers. The league used to have around 30 to 40, and that has dwindled to 12 volunteers.
Morning and night shifts are needed for sitting and socializing with cats, cleaning their boxes or dog kennels, walking, and letting dogs out throughout the day so they're not confined inside for 12 hours at a time.
"Just how rewarding it is; coming in, working with these animals, you see some that are broken when they come in, and they're just lost," said Crabtree. "Whether they were dumped or abandoned, or surrendered, they're grieving for their families, or they're sick and they need help and just seeing that spark when they get it back and just seeing their personalities change and accept people again and love again, it's really rewarding; even if you're just outside playing with the dogs, sometimes you can help with training and different things and they get something, or it clicks, it's really rewarding."
Anyone wishing to volunteer can visit the Texarkana Animal League website and fill out an application.
Following last week's unexpected events, Evenflow Plumbing fixed and replaced pipes, Mr. Appliance came out to repair the refrigerator, Cook's Heating and Air fixed the A/C and Casita Sweets donated pup cups.
Texarkana Animal League will reopen on July 11 for walk-in adoptions, but the rescue is always available by appointment, with an approved application.