To Noah’s Ark’s Rescue donors, supporters, and followers,
 
You likely have noticed that, since late Tuesday evening, the Noah’s Arks Rescue (“NAR”) Facebook page has been inactive.  We want to explain to you why this has occurred.  
 
First, if you are unfamiliar with NAR and our mission, we are a volunteer-run charitable non-profit that supplies emergency medical, surgical and rehabilitation services to abused animals.  We take in dogs from all over the United States, including, of course, right here in Beaufort County.  The dogs that find their way to NAR are often on their last leg.   At NAR, we have to deal with the worst of the worst situations.   We reach out to you, our community, to make you aware of the dogs we take in and ask for much-needed donations to give these animals the best possible chance of survival and a great life surrounded with unconditional Love.  
 
Noah’s Arks Rescue is not a shelter.  While most shelters are providing a much-needed service to animals, NAR’s adoption policies are much more stringent than those shelters.  We have sadly seen our fair share of abuse cases, and do everything in our power to check out everyone who that adopts from us.  Many people are refused for various reasons, either it was the wrong animal for that family, or we didn't feel it was the best fit we could offer for that particular animal.  In those circumstances, we keep the animal with us until an appropriate home is found.  Under all circumstances, adoption contracts must be completed and signed by the new family.  These contracts are used to ensure the safety of our animal and the safety of the family that has chosen them.  These binding contracts include multiple conditions that require the adoptive family’s compliance; by signing the contract, the adoptive family acknowledges they will abide by the terms of the agreement.  Should any of the conditions not be met or agreed to, the family will not be able to adopt the animal.  Additionally, should any term of the agreement be broken after adoption, NAR has an obligation to the animal to ensure it is safe and receiving any help it may need.   Several shelters in our community do not require the same commitments as NAR.    We gladly give any family the names of the shelters where they could adopt if they decide that the terms and conditions required by NAR are not for them.  One of our contract requirements is that families keep a Noah’s Arks Rescue tag on the dog at all times, and we recommend adding a second tag with the family’s information.  Every animal with NAR has AKC Microchips inserted under their skin for identification if they should escape their home.   We are always the first contact on the chips and the second is the new family.  Families move all the time and do not give us their current address.  This is our way of making sure if that happens, the animal will be safely returned to us and not end up in a shelter.    
 
NAR is fortunate to be located in a community that supports each other and the animals in our care.   On Tuesday, NAR received a phone call from a gentleman who explained he had two of NAR animals that had come into his place of business.  The caller described the animals, and advised that the identifying information on the collar of one of the dogs was that of NAR; no identifying information could be found on the other animal.  We attempted to reach the owners, to no avail.  Rather than leave the dogs at the caller’s place of business, two volunteers of NAR drove to the business to retrieve the dogs, all the while attempting to reach the owners.  Upon arrival at the caller’s business, we recognized Tucker right away; Tucker is a Husky who required extensive medical treatment, including surgery when he came to our Rescue and before his adoption.  When we arrived at the caller’s business, it was obvious Tucker was injured.  The other dog was perfectly fine. 
 
Eventually, Tucker’s family was reached, pleasantries were exchanged, but Tucker’s adoptive dad did not mention Tucker’s absence from his home.  When advised that NAR had been contacted because Tucker was loose, we were told that the family’s fence had been torn down and the family had been looking for Tucker for about an hour.  We advised Tucker’s adoptive dad that Tucker had an apparent injury and that we would be taking Tucker to the vet to determine the extent of the injury.  We also advised that the family’s other dog would be waiting with a NAR Staff and that the dog appeared fine.  Tucker’s adoptive dad asked if he could pick up Tucker, but we again explained that Tucker needed medical care, and we asked whether the family could afford the same.  We further explained that, pursuant to the terms of the adoption agreement, Tucker could not be returned until the fence was repaired.  Tucker’s adoptive dad advised that he could not take on any additional bills, and we told him any veterinarian bills would be taken care of by NAR, and that the fence must be repaired before returning home. Tucker is a beautiful sweet Husky who loves to roam as Husky's do.  However, it was discovered that the reason he appeared injured was that hardware installed from his original surgery had become dislodged. We took him to the Vet to have x-rays done and make sure the plate was still intact and if any other pins had come loose.  The plate was holding beautifully, and there was only the one loose pin they removed in a minor procedure.  His front leg appears to be from muscle strain.  All of this information was explained to Tucker’s adoptive dad, and we further advised that Tucker could benefit from underwater therapy and laser work since he was tender under his front leg.  We asked Tucker’s adoptive dad if Tucker could be kept to complete these procedures, and Tucker’s dad gratefully agreed, stating he would then have time to have the fence repaired. The information recited here is contained in text exchanges with Tucker’s adoptive dad. 
 
Unfortunately, Tucker’s adoptive family chose to harass NAR’s staff regarding the return of Tucker (despite Tucker needing to undergo surgery and requiring follow up care, for which this family would not be financially responsible) through both telephone calls, texts, and eventually through social media.  Sadly, the story disseminated by this family was inaccurate and NAR’s VOLUNTEER staff became the brunt of this family’s inexplicable anger.  Due to inappropriate, inaccurate and threatening comments made upon Noah’s Arks Rescue’s Facebook page by both this family and presumably this family’s supporters, the Facebook page was deactivated to prevent further inaccuracies from being perpetuated.  Tucker was not “confiscated” nor “dognapped”; rather, NAR is providing needed medical care for Tucker at NAR’s expense, and is requiring Tucker’s family comply with the contract they agreed to when they adopted Tucker.  Tucker will return home once the fence is completed and secure, that is a condition of the adoption agreement.
 
Despite what appeared to be a resolved situation, Tucker’s adoptive family decided to continue to write untruthful comments and drum up support for a situation that simply did not exist.  In the midst of assisting Tucker, Noah’s Arks Rescue was also contacted about helping a critically injured Pomeranian that was eventually transported emergently to Charleston for emergency care.  This animal is currently in critical care, but this is Noah’s Arks Rescue’s mission: To help injured and ill animals and ensure their safety.  The Facebook page will be reactivated soon.    We are Volunteers who spend our own money and time-saving animals.   We choose to do this because we know we make a difference in our community and around the WORLD.   When you donate toward one of our abuse cases, Noah’s Arks Rescue is committed to you to make sure that animal is safe.  We do not turn an animal back over if we are not assured of its safety. 
  
Incidentally, NAR recently asked Tucker’s family for their new address to add to the microchip information, along with their phone numbers.  Tucker’s adoptive dad provided the information but advised that the co-applicant for Tucker did not want to be listed.  While we appreciate Tucker’s adoptive dad’s cooperation with NAR’s protocols and procedures, we are disappointed that the co-applicant—who has been the most vocal about Tucker’s current situation—does not choose to do the same.  If the Noah's Arks Rescue Community would like for us to stop doing what we do, please say so.   We give up so much to do what we do.    If you think what these people are doing is wrong, then let them know it.  While we understand that animals are also family members, Noah’s Arks Rescue must always look out for the best interest of the animal. 

Tucker was reunited with his Adoptive Dad once the fence was replaced and he was released from Medical Care.