Ark Angels hosting adoption event this weekend

Founder Lynn Scire wants to help struggling rescue organizations throughout the area, By Edie Johnson Goshen — As founder of an animal rescue group, Lynn Scire has seen it all. Living much of her life in Brooklyn, she saw rich and poor families and plenty of animals that needed help. And so she began to rescue them. When she moved to Chester three years ago in the middle of the economic downturn, she saw much of the same. Pets are often the first to suffer when funds dwindle. Many are brought to humane societies, but a striking number are just turned loose. Still others remain in homes but are neglected, whether by lack of food or love, while their owners struggle to survive. The recent floods did not help. The area has many hardworking rescue organizations that are struggling now. Recently word spread that the primary group in the Newburgh/New Windsor area is likely to close for lack of funding. Rather than connect to a single group, Scire, the founder of Ark Angels, focused her efforts on being an area rescue resource coordinator. The Ark Angel adoption event at Noah's Ark in Goshen this weekend is an example of what her organization can do. The humane societies in both Goshen and Blooming Grove will participate. Noah's Ark is fun for children and adults alike, with its many exotic animals — including marmosett monkeys, a kinkajou, wallaby, Ra-jah the peacock, miniature horses and ponies, and pot-bellied pig — and pet boutique. There will be vendors' booths, raffles, a bake sale, pet portraits, face painting and even a Reiki pet therapist. Those interested in adopting a pet will be required to undergo evaluation to make sure they will provide a good potential home. Vision for a more humane future Scire envisions a world where every companion animal has a home and every lonely person has a companion. She takes a multi-faceted approach. She hopes her organization can work with other local groups to fund an area pet pantry, and to buy a large plot of land where rescue animals have room to grow and run, and where people who are also hurting — people who have suffered abused, handicapped people, those recovering from addictions, isolated senior citizens — have a chance to heal together and enrich their lives. She is looking for benefactors to help fund the project. Ark Angels is currently in the process of attaining 501K status. When not doing rescue work, Scire offers petsitting services. Donations of any kind will be appreciated, including some items that many people might be inclined to just toss — cushions, blankets, mats, towels, plastic and metal bowls, unused leashes, collars, and crates. She also wants to raise awareness of the therapeutic value of pet visits to hospitals and nursing homes, and the need to better document health care directives for patients' pet. This can start simply, as part of the admissions process. In emergencies, helpers cannot legally assist pets until three to four days after their owner becomes ill, unless the owners have left specific instructions. Pets sometimes remain unfed and neglected for days unless other family members have instructions and access. Many people "talk the talk" about caring for unwanted animals. Next week there will be the chance to "walk the walk" at Noah's Ark. Pet adoption Weekend What: Pet adoption, pet portraits, consultation with pet Reiki therapist and dog trainer, music, raffles, yard sale, raffles, local vendors When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 22, and Sunday, Oct. 23. Rain or shine. Where: 48 Maple Ave., Goshen Call: Lynn Scire at 610-4062 Web sites: www.thearkangels.com and www.noahsarkII.com