What we have accomplished.

ARK NEWS for October 2007

ARK is nearing a grand total of 7,500 spay/neuter procedures

since becoming an organization in 2001

Awards for 2007

2007 McCurtain Daily Gazette

"Readers' Choice Award"

1st place for best volunteer organization

Autust 10, 2007

Ernest R. (Jack) Tucker Award for

Community Service presented to:

Patt Webb

for her many volunteer services and extraordinary

commitment to ARK (Animal Rescue & Kare) a

program benefitting the communities of

McCurtain County, Oklahoma

Awards for 2006:

2006 McCurtain Daily Gazette

"Readers' Choice Award"

1st place for best volunteer organization

Chamber of Commerce of Broken Bow, OK

Award: "2006 Organization of the Year"

In Grateful Appreciation for Your Outstanding

Dedicated Service to Our Community

The 2006 Christmas parades were great! The turn out is wonderful every year and ARK members enjoy participating in the parades.

For 2006 we won second place in the Idabel parade as a decorated car and tied for first place as a walking group in the Broken Bow parade.

Thank you to those who attended and see you next year!

The ARK 5 Year Summary as of December 2005

Sept 2000 - first meeting to determine "interest" since then;

The ARK became incorporated, as a real organization and received 501(c) 3 status Began fundraising efforts for $20 Off Coupon program. Garage Sales & Bake Sales Made our public presence debut participating in McCurtain County Parades and Fair Booth

Annual Banquets were established: February Auction/Dinner became hit with community and major fund raiser for spay/neuter efforts. Held each February at Kiamichi Technology Center

Began planning for grants: Have successfully partnered with Bob Barker's DJ&T Foundation, PetSmart and Petco in spending funds for spay/neuter efforts

Established Building Fund, setting aside portion of funds raised each year: Current balance for long term goal of shelter is $19,500. Membership continues to make the shelter a serious long term goal.

Began Funnel Cake Operation: yea! Great presence and fundraising at major county festivals such as Owa Chito and the Fall Folk Festival. Hope to participate in Watermelon Festival in 2006

Continue public presence with participation in downtown events such as Cool Cars & Safe & Sane Halloween in Broken Bow and Octoberfest in Idabel.

Local newspaper and radio stations continue to help the ARK with adoption animals, special event announcements and awareness campaign. ARK becoming household word in McCurtain County!

Became endowed with the McCurtain county Community Fund. Generous donors establish fund with $5000 Partnerships for fundraising continue to develop with local businesses: Pruett Foods, Pizza Hut & Wal Mart Voted # 1 Volunteer Organization for the 1st time in 2003 & again in 2005

Developed working relationship with local law enforcement: County Judges, Sheriff, local Animal Control Officers and the District Attorney. Also working with other small communities to address overpopulation and spay/neuter needs.

Have fostered over 1000 animals and successfully placed over 800 animals

2005 - Targeted spay/neuter efforts as never before. The ARK hosted 6 spay/neuter clinics and continued to advertise/honor the $20 Off coupon. To date have provided funding assistance in over 4800 spay/neuter procedures through dollars raised by hard work and grant assistance.

Continue to study and visit other shelters for future budgets and plans

Continue to apply for grants and plan fundraising for aggressive spay/neuter programs in 2006

Have been an active well organized group since inception only missing ONE meeting in the first 5 years of existence due to record Ice Storm.

Looking forward to 2006 Go ARK!

Pictured are the 8 horses that were rescued on February 14, 2005. A call describing this neglect and starvation situation was received via A.R.K. phone and was investigated immediately by an A.R.K. member and a sheriff's deputy. When they arrived they found 10 horses, which included 1 dead horse, 1 very near death, and the eight pictured here. After a brief observation a veterinarian was called to help them evaluate their medical condition. It was determined that only the 8 horses pictured here could be saved and that they needed a foster home immediately. Fortunately a couple of families were gracious enough to take on this burden.

After months of medical attention, lots of feed, and even more love, these 8 recovered and from them 3 foals were born.

Through the diligence of the sheriff's department, district attourney' office, A.R.K. volunteers, and our local court system they finally became the custody of the A.R.K. on November 4, 2005. Upon receiving permanent custody of the 11 horses, they were placed for adoption and were adopted to caring, responsible families.