I have to get rid of my animal now; can BARK help?
BARK does not accept animals who have owners into foster care, simply because our foster space is limited, and we must first help all the animals with no where else to go. BARK does not want to promote the "disposable pet" ideology which is so rampant in this country. Owning an animal is a 10-20 year commitment, which you should realize when you buy or adopt it. If your animal is having behavior problems, consider consulting a behaviorist--it may save your animal's life.

How does BARK work without any physical shelter facility?
BARK is simply a group of devoted volunteers who serve as foster homes for our animals. Most of our adoptions are through the internet. We accept applications, then a BARK volunteer will bring the animal to your home to meet you and the resident animals. Our animals are fostered throughout Illinois, mainly in the Belleville and Metro East areas, but we associate with an active transport system made of great volunteers from a variety of rescues in many areas.

If I donate to BARK, where does my money go?
In two words: vet bills. 95% of all of our funds pays for our animals to visit the veterinarian. Some animals simply need to be spayed or neutered, de-wormed, catch up on their shots, and have a heartworm or FIV test. Others require medication, surgery, or expensive treatments. Each animal is kept on heartworm and flea preventative the entire time it is under our care. We keep our adoption fees affordable by working with fabulous vets who provide their services at reduced costs. We also work hard at our fundraisers, so we will never turn away an animal due to a lack of funding, even though we are completely dependent on donations as our sole source of income!

What about the other 5%?
We also need funds just to maintain our organization, such as our web presence, educational pamphlets, booths at fundraisers, collars, leashes, etc. No one who volunteers gets paid anything.

If I have a valid reason for not being able to keep my dog, will BARK help me?
BARK exists for one reason: to save lives. We will sometimes work with owners who are unable to keep their animal, if we find the reason appropriate. We may ask that you serve as the "foster home." A BARK volunteer will evaluate the animal for temperament, and we'll make every effort to find your animal a home. We require that you have your animal up to date on shots, altered, on heartworm preventative, and with no untreated health problems...things every responsible owner does anyway!

Is BARK a non-profit organization?
Yes! BARK has 501(c)3 non-profit status with the IRS, meaning that all contributions are tax-deductible!

How does BARK take in animals?
The animals we foster have nowhere else to go. Many are found wandering the streets. Others are from shelters. Many of these are animals who have never seen the inside of a house. They have never been treated kindly by a human. These are the lives that are the most worth saving, since without our intervention, a horrible death would follow. We rescue animals who have been shot at, beaten, fought, or bred nearly to death. Some are rescued by our own members, and others are brought to us by great people who just care.

How do I contact BARK?
Email is the best way to reach us. Drop us a note at BARKemail@yahoogroups.com

Can I help save lives?
Everyone can do their part! Have your companion animal spayed or neutered. Volunteer to walk dogs at your local shelter. Spread the word about pet shops and puppy mills. Report animal abuse. Protest a pet store. Adopt a homeless animal. Send a group you respect a monetary donation. Shop at our store. Take in a homeless dog and be a "foster parent." Help drive a rescued dog to its new home. Tell your friends about rescue. Teach children how to treat and respect all animals. Join a rescue "email list" and simply learn.

Every single person on this planet can do at least one of these things, and it will make a difference! Imagine if you told just one person each day about pet shops and puppy mills, and then they told one person, and so on...education can change our world!