Mission Statement
Mission
BARK rescues orphaned or abandoned pets and other adoptable dogs from animal shelters in the Richmond and surrounding areas, ensures they are spayed/neutered and given routine vaccinations, and finds loving, forever homes for them. In 2007 BARK placed 709 dogs in forever homes.
History
BARK (Bandit's Adoption and Rescue of K-9's) was founded in 2001 by Bob and Denise Tillack who continue the legacy of a rescue effort they started when they saved Bandit in 1987. Bandit was a dog neglected by his owners. After watching Bandit deteriorate for several weeks, the founders approached Bandit's owners to purchase him. After several attempts, the owner released ownership of Bandit to BARK and they took him to his new home. The founders and Bandit were together for 14 years before his death in 2001. Bandit will always be remembered, serving as a constant reminder of all the other neglected, homeless and abused animals in the world. The Tillack's have created a safe-haven for rescued dogs at their farm in Ashland; Dogs that are homeless, neglected, abused and in danger of euthanization. It has more resident dogs than any other rescue group in Virginia. BARK also has a Foster Parent Program where fortunate dogs and puppies can be placed in foster homes while waiting to be adopted into their forever loving home. BARK operates and depends totally on donations and volunteers who perform the essential weekly tasks of kennel care, canine intake, quality of life, socialization, medical review, application review & research, record management, adoption tracking, newsletter publication, special event planning, foster care, and response to training and/or behavioral inquiries; There are never enough volunteers for all the needs probably because people don't realize the enormous need for volunteers. Each year BARK grows stronger in its number of volunteers as well as its number of rescued, safe housed and adopted animals. With your continued support the valuable work at BARK will save thousands of K-9 lives in the years to come. With additional funds and volunteers, more quality of life can be given and the more dogs can be rescued/saved from euthanization.
www.barkva.org (804)449-2275 Box 1682, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060
or 14130 Greenwood Church Rd., Ashland, Va. 23005
