Run for the Rescues

The public is invited to celebrate the festivities of the final race in the Triple Crown Series, the Belmont Stakes, June 11 at State Mutual Stadium with proceeds from the event supporting three local animal rescues. Tickets for Run for the Rescues, a Belmont Stakes party, presented by Runnin' Wild Foods, will go on sale April 5, the Rome Braves announced today.

"The Rome Braves are excited to partner with these three great animal rescue organizations who are in the trenches daily to give aid to the helpless," said Rome Braves General Manager Michael Dunn. "We hope to see everyone at the ballpark on June 11 for one of the biggest parties of the summer."  

The party will start at 6pm on Saturday June 11 and will feature dinner, beer and wine, live music by the Swingin' Medallions, and so much more. Proceeds will benefit Claws for Paws in Floyd County; Cedartown Animal Rescue, Education, and Sterilization (CARES) in Polk County; and Red Clay Ranch Equine Rescue and Sanctuary in Chattooga County, all of which are registered 501c3 organizations.

Claws for Paws was created in 2008 by concerned animal lovers to raise funds to aid animal welfare organizations in Rome-Floyd County. Over the years, funds raised by Claws for Paws has aided these groups in ways both great and small from low-cost spay and neuter programs to a new HVAC system at Floyd County Animal Control (FCAC), and helping purchase a transport van for Animal Rescue Foundation Rome-Floyd County. Recently, the organization has partnered with Animal Companion Rescue and their mission to facilitate rescues and adoptions from FCAC. In 2015, Animal Companion Rescue rescued over 2,000 dogs from FCAC, which helped drastically reduce the canine euthanasia rate in Floyd County. 

CARES is an all-volunteer, non-profit rescue organization that is licensed with the Georgia Department of Agriculture. The organization's main focus is rescuing shelter animals at risk for euthanasia. In 2015, CARES pulled over 200 dogs from local high-kill shelters. These dogs were then fully vetted and CARES found quality adopters for each. CARES also rescued over 100 cats and dogs which were transferred to the Atlanta Humane Society.

Red Clay Ranch (RCR) Equine Rescue and Sanctuary opened in August 2010 with the intention of addressing the need for care for Georgia's unwanted, undernourished, and abused horses. Its mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, rehome, or offer sanctuary to the horses that they acquire through law enforcement, the Georgia Department of Agriculture, or owner surrender. RCR currently serves 78 horses, 17 of whom are completely blind, and relies on donor investment to meet the financial needs required for providing these equine residents with superior, lifelong care.

"This is an exciting opportunity for the people of Northwest Georgia to enjoy a fabulous evening, to learn about the animal welfare needs within our communities, and to offer support to the organizations that are saving lives every day," said Allison Watters, chair of Claws for Paws.

Tickets to Run for the Rescues: A Belmont Stakes Party are $80 per person or $150 per couple and will go on sale Tuesday, April 5, at 10 a.m. at the State Mutual Stadium box office and online at www.romebraves.com. Each of the three benefiting rescue organizations will also have a limited number of tickets available for sale. For more information, contact Nancy Knight at 706-802-8189.