Many North Shore residents may recall that Animal Advocates of the Arrowhead closed up operations back in March 2011— and another group, Arrowhead Animal Rescue was formed shortly after. However, it was learned last week that the dissolution of the first group had never been completed. A “final” meeting of Animal Advocates of the Arrowhead was held Tuesday, September 25 at the Cook County Community Center log building.
At the meeting were two of the three people who were on the Animal Advocates of the Arrowhead board when it was believed to have been dissolved, Sarah Métis and Greg Bernier. The other board member, Jinsey Smith, was not at the meeting, but Bernier said he had her “proxy vote.”
It was Smith who announced that Animal Advocates of the Arrowhead was ceasing operations back in October 2010. The organization had worked to foster and shelter animals since December 2003.
Métis opened the meeting and explained, “Animal Advocates was supposed to have closed up shop a few years ago.”
Métis said Animal Advocates had contacted an attorney and paid a significant amount of money to handle the dissolution. “I think we are dissolved,” said Bernier, “but we didn’t get anything confirming that.”
Métis said unfortunately when she contacted the state of Minnesota there was no record of the dissolution. She added that the matter was complicated by the fact that Animal Advocates of the Arrowhead had never been properly incorporated.
Métis said she wants to see that rectified as soon as possible and the remaining money in the Animal Advocates of the Arrowhead account given to the new—and active— group, Arrowhead Animal Rescue. The account balance, she said, is $9,625.82.
Métis told the eight people in attendance, most of them members of the Arrowhead Animal Rescue board, that she would contact the attorney to ensure that all the legal obligations had been met. Once any outstanding bills had been paid, the remainder of the money would be given to Arrowhead Animal Rescue. She made a motion to that effect and Bernier seconded.
Métis thanked Phyllis Sherman, who had been a strong Animal Advocates of the Arrowhead supporter. Sherman had donated $5,000 to the organization and it was her persistence, said Métis that brought the fact that the money had not been transferred to the former board’s attention.
“I apologize to the new group that it has taken this long,” said Métis.
Sherman said, “I’m just glad that the money is finally going to go to help animals in Cook County.”
Still working for Arrowhead animals
Arrowhead Animal Rescue was established in April 2011 and it is a 501c3 nonprofit, which can accept the money from the folding Animal Advocates.
Arrowhead Animal Rescue board members are Chair Gay O’Donnell, Treasurer Bev Green, Secretary Evelyn Larsen, Barb Dvorak, Karen Flolid, Ashley Green, Ruth Hansen and City Liaison Bill Lenz.
The ultimate goal of Arrowhead Animal Rescue? To see that every animal taken in finds a home. A goal difficult to meet for even the most successful animal rescue entities. Animal Allies of Duluth pointed to Arrowhead Animal Rescue as a stellar rescue group has only met that goal once in its 53 years of operation. However, that does not mean that the new Cook County organization is not going to try to reach that goal, with the first step being construction of a small, safe, comfortable shelter.
In the meantime, Arrowhead Animal Rescue has focused on the existing animal shelter near the Grand Marais Rec. Park. Arrowhead Animal Rescue member Molly Hoffman encouraged people to stop by to take a look. She said, “A lot of work has been done at the pound. We’ve been cleaning and painting and it looks good.”
However, Hoffman said, many more volunteers are needed. She noted that this is the time of the year that more stray animals are found and the need will be greater. She said foster homes and permanent homes are needed.
As the Arrowhead Animal Rescue website states, “Our team is made up entirely of volunteers. We advocate for those who need our help. Even a little help goes a long way. That is why we are especially happy to find new volunteers who share our commitment to doing good in the world. Do you want to support us by helping with our work? Then do not hesitate to contact us. A helping hand is always greatly appreciated.”
To learn more, consider going to the next meeting of the Arrowhead Animal Rescue, September 27 at the Grand Marais Senior Center at 4 p.m. Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of each month at the Senior Center at 4 p.m. For more information or if you need help with an animal, call (218) 387- 1781 or e-mail animals@boreal.org.
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