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Mystery donor helps animal rescue group find new home in Sewickley Township | TribLIVE.com
Westmoreland

Mystery donor helps animal rescue group find new home in Sewickley Township

Joe Napsha
Joe Napsha
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Barry Reeger | For The Tribune-Review
Melanie Wedge, vice president of All But Furgotten Humane Animal Rescue, greets a bulldog named Wendy and her new owner, Mike Karbowsky of North Huntingdon, on Sunday Dec. 18, 2016, during a ribbon-cutting event at its new site in Sewickley Township. The foster-based rescue organization deals with animals that have suffered abuse and neglect or come from shelters where they were about to be euthanized.
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Barry Reeger | For The Tribune-Review
Melanie Wedge, left, vice president of All But Furgotten Humane Animal Rescue, gives a tour of the new Sewickley Township property on Sunday Dec. 18, 2016, to board member Erin Cassidy. The foster-based rescue organization deals with animals that have suffered abuse and neglect or come from shelters where they were about to be euthanized.
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Barry Reeger | For The Tribune-Review
A bulldog named Wendy that was rescued by All But Furgotten Humane Animal Rescue waits Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, with her new owner, Mike Karbowsky of North Huntingdon, on a visit to the organization's new Sewickley Township building.

A North Huntingdon-based animal rescue organization has found a home in Sewickley Township to house the animals under its care, thanks to an anonymous donor who purchased the property for the organization.

“We were fortunate to have found a benefactor, and now we are able to really do our humane work,” said Heather Moody, president of All But Furgotten Humane Animal Rescue.

All But Furgotten helps pets — primarily dogs — that are abused, neglected, rescued from puppy mills, caught by animal control officers or are facing euthanasia.

“We've been working on getting this place for almost a year,” said Melanie Wedge, vice president of All But Furgotten.

The anonymous benefactor provided funding this month so that All But Furgotten could purchase the 1.5-acre parcel on Turner Valley Road from Larry Brugnoli of Irwin for $75,500. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Sunday at the property, which contains a modular home and vacant kennel operated by a former owner.

All But Furgotten has been a foster-based rescue organization since it was established in 2014, relying on members and about 20 volunteers to take in and care for the rescues, Wedge said. The organization pays for food and any veterinarian bills.

Before the group can use the property, both the former kennel and modular home must undergo extensive renovations, Wedge said. They hope renovations can begin this spring, so the kennel can be in operation by the summer.

The organization intends to get an estimate on renovating the kennel — which has space for 10 dog runs — and for converting the modular home into office space and a living area for the pets not suited to the kennel, Wedge said.

“We are working on a list of what the needs are for the building, material-wise and financially,” Wedge said.

The group is looking for other local companies and businesses interested in supporting its mission through donations, material or labor, Wedge said.

Now that it has a property, Moody said the challenge will be to raise money to cover the operating costs. The rescue group is paying a mortgage to the local benefactor, Wedge said.

The nonprofit estimates it will need $4,200 a month to cover operating costs, including the mortgage, property taxes, veterinarian fees and utilities. A key variable is the number of animals it receives and veterinarian costs, which can average about $2,525 a month, Wedge said.

Joe Napsha is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-836-5252 or jnapsha@tribweb.com.