In recent years, the increase in local animal rescue groups has helped once-unwanted dogs and cats find homes. As a result, only a small number of animals are now euthanized in Rutherford County due to not having homes.
In 2019, Catfeine Cat Cafe opened its doors, letting customers come in and spend time with the felines, with some visitors then deciding to adopt a cat.
With a similar idea of socialization, Tree of Life Animal Sanctuary is planning to build a location for stray dogs in Murfreesboro.
“Tree of Life has been around for the past four years, but we were in Red Boiling Springs,” said organization founder Nikki Jacobs. “I was motivated when I found my dog and her five puppies living under a house in Red Boiling Springs and the littlest one got hit and killed by a car. After that, I decided I couldn’t leave them there.
“I kept coming across dogs in my yard and was having to take them to shelters or was trying to find homes in the area or returning them from where they came,” she continued. “Then I thought I am already taking care of these dogs—I might as well make it real.”
Jacobs started her organization and then moved to Murfreesboro, where her plans came to a head. She began attending local networking events, where she met Jim Africano, co-founder of Purple Paws, a nonprofit that does fundraising for groups that help animals.
“I cofounded Purple Paws in 2014,” Africano said. “We are kind of the United Way of animal rescues. Our mission is helping rescues rescue more. So we work with different rescues in Middle Tennessee doing fundraising, PR and teaching different business strategies. We don’t do physical rescue. Our whole concept is to assist [other organizations].”
He said they have been doing this for several years, raising thousands of dollars, and now Tree of Life has hit his heart.
“One thing I really like about this rescue group is that it comes with a cage-free socialization of dogs,” he said. “Right now I think this is one of the only places in Middle Tennessee that does that in preparation for the dogs to be adopted.”
Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary in Mt. Juliet is a similar style of rescue that specializes in the care of senior dogs, housing approximately 120 dogs at the Sanctuary, and others in temporary or permanent homes.
OFSDS provides lifetime homes for their dogs and spreads awareness about the benefits and the challenges of living with older dogs.
“Our open concept for Tree of Life is kind of like Old Friends’, but different because theirs is a true sanctuary where many animals live out the end of their lives,” Jacobs said. “I want to socialize the dogs so when people come in looking to adopt, they will know if a dog is good with other dogs, with cats or with children.”
She said they will have at least two cats living at the facility. They will also have trainers come in to work with the dogs to see what their strong points are.
She hopes the facility, located on Joe Brown Road, near Sulphur Springs Road and 840 just outside of Murfreesboro, will be open around mid-2021.
Jacobs added that she would eventually like to screen for service animals at Tree of Life.
In the meantime, she has land for her rescue that has been given to her by Africano and his organization, and now she needs volunteers—especially those with bulldozers—to help her clear the land.
She also needs to raise more funds to build a facility.
On April 18, Hop Springs Beer Park is hosting the 5K Marathon Wag and Walk benefiting Tree of Life Animal Sanctuary. Participants may bring their dogs to walk or run with them.
Check-in time for the race is at 8 a.m. at 6790 John Bragg Hwy. Registration is $25 for walkers and $50 for race participants. Prizes will be awarded to runners for first through third place; registration is now open at eventbrite.com.
To find out more about Tree of Life Animal Sanctuary, Inc., visit its Facebook page or email treeoflifeanimalsanctuary@gmail.com.
The organization Purple Paws raises funds for various animal rescues throughout the year with about one event a month and with the Mardi Paws Gala that is held every February. For information about Purple Paws and its upcoming events, visit its Facebook page, email purplepawstn@gmail.com or call 615-530-0551.
To learn more about Catfeine Cat Cafe, visit catfeine.net. The cafe is located at 1602 W. Northfield Blvd, Ste. 500. Book ahead online to enjoy a coffee or tea while visiting some furry friends.
For information about Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary, visit ofsds.org or call 615-754-5617. Old Friends looks for foster families for some of its dogs and adoption is an option after fostering. All foster families must be within a 100-mile radius of Mt . Juliet.
Between 2014 and 2018, Rutherford County Pet Adoption & Welfare Service (PAWS) saw its euthanization rate fall to about 6 percent, according to Lindsay Frierson, public relations and media specialist with PAWS. This rate remains low through the efforts and love of local rescue groups and individuals.
