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New shelter brings more hope for animals

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The overpopulation of animals is a challenge in a lot of places, including Parker County. Now, one of the state’s largest animal sanctuaries is coming to Aledo.

The new sanctuary from Saving Hope Animal Rescue, expected to open early this year, will cover almost 15 acres. Services will include a veterinary clinic, puppy pods for nursing mother dogs, intake housing, an educational barn, a senior sanctuary for older dogs and, of course, an adoption center.

Why Aledo? Just down the road is the Weatherford Parker County Animal Shelter.

“We had been looking for land for a couple of years and we felt like this worked because of the development going on in Aledo, but also the acreage was perfect and the price was right,” said Saving Hope Executive Director Lauren Anton. “Aledo is a tight-knit community of people who care.”

Anton said they will also take in cats, and if other animals work with the environment they are open to taking them in, getting them safe and putting them up for adoption.

The official name will be Saving Hope Rescue Ranch and Senior Sanctuary.

“We try to stay away from the facility connotation as it sounds cold and loud,” Anton said.

The animals will not be caged and will have plenty of turfed space to run and play, Anton said. It is also a no-kill shelter.

Saving Hope has saved more than 6,000 animals since it was founded in 2017. Last year alone they took in more than 1,600 dogs and more than 1,000 cats.

“We decided to start a sanctuary/place because we have over 1,000 animals in foster care, which increases our vet bills as well as decreases sustainability of the organization,” Anton said.

“We will always have fosters, but Aledo will not only provide on-site adoption options, but will have a senior sanctuary as well as quarantine for newly saved dogs and cats.”

Of which there are plenty, especially now that the world is returning to normal post-COVID pandemic. Suddenly animals that were once company during the pandemic have been sent away, enhancing the problem.

“Once it waned, everyone having to return to their jobs, priorities changing and inflation were among some of the reasons for animal welfare decreasing,” Anton said. “All shelters and rescues are full. We need a base camp to assure the animals will have a second chance and will provide a happy place for people to visit, volunteer. Where people can go and not feel sad about the dogs, but happy and spread the word about animals and their ability to educate and promise there is hope for the future.”

For more information, visit https://savinghoperescue.org/.

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