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Photos by Sarah Fish/Contributing Photographer These two abandoned guinea pigs, Coffee and Kramer, would like to have a place to call home. -
Celsius was found wandering around and would really like to have a family.
Marble – Everything should have a home. Sarah Fish has a real soft spot for animals, particularly those needing rescue.
Fish is the founder of Small Animal Rescue & Homing of western North Carolina. SARAH is the acronym and, interesting enough, also her first name.
Her mission is to save little animals – including rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs – from demise through abandonment. She also volunteers for Kellie Minich, founder and president of Operation Bun Bun Rescue in Knoxville, Tenn. Their missions are the same.
Animal shelters and humane society typically deal with cats and dogs. These agencies can’t house every animal in trouble, which is where Fish comes in.
She originally wanted to be a wildlife rescuer, but because of the fragility of wildlife animals she felt it would be too heartbreaking. These types of animals often die while being helped by humans, and she just couldn’t bear seeing it, so she focuses on domestic animals.
It all started when she took in a rabbit that wasn’t in the best of care.
“People just haven’t been educated on the proper care of animals, such as rabbits and guinea pigs, that are actually exotic pets, and there aren’t any veterinarians in the area taking exotic pets,” Fish said.
Fish’s number is on hand at the Valley River Humane Society and is given out to people wanting to give up or adopt a pet. No questions are asked, and no one is judged for not being able to care for their pet.
She’ll pick up the animal and facilitates getting it to Operation Bun Bun Rescue or another appropriate facility, where it will then be fully vetted and dolled up so it’s able to be adopted to someone offering a forever home. There’s a short application process involved.
She’ll swap a rescue animal out for one that’s ready to be adopted from Operation Bun Bun Rescue and anyone wanting one can contact Fish. She’s the satellite location for the operation, enabling folks to find a pet without having to travel a greater distance.
Through tears, Fish said, “I love animals so much. Ever since I was a child, it was my dream to be able to rescue animals and give them the happy life they deserve. They give us so much with their love, trust and attention. We’re their caretakers. It’s so important to me, and I feel called to do this.”
Fish has a few needs of her own. She is the only one doing this kind of rescue, travel, swap and adopt out and really needs some help.
“It would be great if others would consider fostering, as this would help free up room at the shelter,” she said. “It would also help if I could find people that can help me relay the animals to Operation Bun Bun, as it’s a lot to go back and forth by myself. People don’t even have to travel the full distance, just help with getting them from point A to point B. It would take a team.”
She would eventually like to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency and wants to put together a board of directors. She’s seeking a lawyer, accountant and veterinarian who would want to be part of the endeavor.
“I would like for someone to help me with their time, to help and guide me so I can do this the right way and help as many animals as possible.” she stated.
For details on the rescue, call 828-384-7475.