Rhea County Animal Shelter hosts Run for the Rescues Fundraiser
RHEA COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Rhea County Animal Shelter is inviting the community to lace up their running shoes for a cause that goes beyond the finish line.
The shelter is hosting a fundraiser called Run for the Rescues to help raise money for a new addition to its existing building.
The expansion will allow the shelter to continue giving furry friends a second chance at life while improving their overall care and comfort.
Cheyenne Swafford, Deputy at the Rhea County Sheriff’s Office and Director of the Rhea County Animal Shelter, says her passion for helping animals stems from her work in law enforcement.
“Being in law enforcement, I think the biggest thing is giving a voice to those that are voiceless. So, I commute that over to the animals.”
Swafford says the fundraiser is more than just a race.
It is a way for the community to directly support the shelter’s mission and help complete the construction project.
Staff member Lindsey Laugherty explains that participants can choose how they want to get involved.
“People can either do a 5K or a one-mile fun run, and you can either do it with or without a dog of yours or one of ours from the shelter. It’s going to be a lot of opportunities for people to get out there and see other animals as well. But it’s springtime. It’s going to be a great time to be outside and get people moving, and I think it’s going to be a really, really great thing to bring attention to our shelter and help finish with the fundraising we need for our new building.”
The new addition to the shelter will feature several upgrades designed to improve the experience for both animals and potential adopters. Swafford says the expansion is made possible through a generous bequest from a local supporter.
“The person that left the bequest was Mrs. Plummer, and she was a cat person. She loved her felines. So as soon as you walk in the shelter, there is a room to the left. That is the patios. We’ll have two adoption rooms. We also will have a puppy room where you can be very interactive with the puppies that we have.”
The upgraded space will create more opportunities for families to connect with animals in a comfortable setting, increasing the likelihood of successful adoptions.
However, staff members say construction projects often come with unexpected costs and additional needs.
Laugherty explains that as the project progresses, new challenges can arise.
“A lot of things will pop up as we’re going along and seeing what all else the animals need for their welfare here. There’ll be things like play runs and different areas that we’re going to need to expand for the better welfare of the animals.”
Those added features are critical in ensuring animals have safe spaces to exercise, socialize, and recover while waiting for their forever homes.
Katrina Yuhas, the director of the race, says community support is essential to making the fundraiser a success.
“We need runners. We need walkers. We need volunteers. We need sponsors. Our business sponsors really, really help tremendously, and those are the ones we’re thankful for. The ones that have already given and the ones that we still need to give to this race. And that’s what makes it profitable for the building and helps us raise those funds that we need to take care of the animals. And it can be anywhere from food, laundry detergent, anything it takes to make these animals comfortable, medical care, vet care, and everything as a whole.”
From race registrations to sponsorships and donations, every contribution helps move the shelter closer to completing its new addition and improving daily life for the animals in its care.
Run for the Rescues is not just about crossing a finish line.
It is about coming together as a community to support animals that cannot speak for themselves.
Through participation, sponsorship, and generosity, residents can help ensure the Rhea County Animal Shelter continues its mission of rescue, rehabilitation, and second chances for years to come.
Click here to register.
