Two animal care groups — Animal Shelter of North County and the Equine Rescue Association — are suffering through serious money troubles that threaten to close their doors.
Animal Shelter of North County has been beleaguered with organizational problems for a few years, and that history has racked up a $19,000 tax debt, said Jacqueline Van Riper, the nonprofit group’s treasurer and manager.
"We’re pretty much on the verge of closing down," Van Riper said. "The IRS just finally said, ‘We’ll take all the money out of your bank account.’ "
Van Riper said the IRS garnished about $2,500 and will not allow the group to set up a payment schedule. She blamed the problems on previous staff.
The shelter’s three full-time employees, including Van Riper, have not been paid for two weeks. They are taking care of an average of 100 animals, mostly cats and about 20 dogs.
The shelter is on the Stillaguamish Tribe’s 20 acres of federal trust land on 35th Avenue NE, near Arlington. The tribe offered to house the shelter after the group ran into problems getting permits with Snohomish County.
Van Riper said the shelter’s problems are not related to the tribe’s plans to build a new casino nearby.
Van Riper is asking the public for donations to keep the shelter afloat. Donations can be sent to Animal Shelter of North County, 20902 67th Ave. NE, PMB 316, Arlington, WA 98223, or dropped off at 3453 Stoluckquamish Lane. Call 360-403-0206 for more information.
Meanwhile, an 80-foot tall cottonwood cut a deep swath through one of the Equine Rescue Association’s barns during a recent windstorm. None of the group’s 21 horses were injured, but the financial toll was deeper.
"We dipped into our food resources to pay for the repair for our barn," said Vel Moore, the nonprofit group’s founder. He said the group is a "semi-retirement community" for horses that have minor disabilities. Such horses would otherwise be sent to the meat market.
The association uses horses to educate people about how to properly care for and ride the animals. Money from classes helps defray expenses.
"We are trying to finance a covered arena," Moore said. "Then we can bring in our own money through our own services."
Donations can be sent to the Equine Rescue Association, attention Vel Moore, 2506 128th St. NE, Marysville, WA 98271. Call 360-658-5494 for more information.
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