Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana

Reed's Animal Rescue Closing in Whitehall

As of March 1, 2021, Reed’s Animal Rescue in Whitehall will no longer be accepting rescued animals. After more than ten years as an in-home rescue, Patti and Jerry Reed decided the rescue is no longer viable financially.

“We love what we do, but we just can’t afford it any longer,” Patti Reed said, with a tiny black lab puppy, a rescue, curled up in her lap. Reed explained that, after second mortgaging their home to fund the rescue, the decision had to be made. In one recent fiscal year the vet bills alone, Reed said, surmounted $9,000, while the donations for that year were only $10. And while the decision was primarily a financial one, the emotional burden has also been substantial.

“In the last few months we’ve lost five animals,” Reed said, saying that most were from old age, but also from neglect of previous owners. Several animals were turned in by owners who couldn’t deal with putting their pet down, but asked the Reeds to do it for them.

“It’s hard for them to do, but it’s just as hard for us. We want those animals to know they were loved until their last breath.”

The Reeds also worked with local emergency services when animals were involved; they’ve been called out in the middle of many nights to save dogs whose owners had suffered tragic circumstances, such as fires, car accidents, etc.

At one point in time the Reed’s housed 21 dogs at their rescue, but on average they were homing 3 a month until they were either able to adopt them out or, as the six they currently have in their home, they became family.

“It’s time for us to start recovery - financially and emotionally - and start a new chapter of our lives,” Reed said, noting that Jerry would like to retire in the upcoming year. Reed also noted that Jerry has been instrumental in helping with the rescue and she couldn’t have done it without him by her side.

Jerry would like to retire in the upcoming year. Reed also noted that Jerry has been instrumental in helping with the rescue and she couldn’t have done it without him by her side.

While the rescue side of the Reed’s business will close, the boarding, grooming, and playcare portion will remain open.

The Reeds would like to recognize several individuals who made the rescue the success it was: their neighbors for being so helpful and tolerant - Judy and Steve Schwab, Jeannie and Jim Reinschmidt, Carol and Jerry Beiderman; also Charlie Miller, Jennifer Marti, Paula and Terry Bracken, Cheryl Haasakker, Steve and Corrie Bateman, and the list goes on and on. Reed added that Darla Martin, from Las Vegas, had sent truckloads of pet food to the rescue over the years; another local supplied handmade pet blankets to the rescue.

Reed urges everyone not to dump their animals and to contact a local entity for assistance, such as the Animal Shelter and CAre Committe (AS&CC) in Boulder, the Lewis & Clark shelter in Helena, the no-kill Beaverhead Animal Shelter in Dillon, or Cheryl Haasacker in Boulder.

The area should give a big hand of applause and gratitude to the Reeds, as they took on a major endeavor and did it well for many years, almost to the detriment of their own wellbeing. However, March 1st began a new chapter of their lives, and they are excited to see what the future holds.

For boarding, grooming and playcare, contact Patti Reed at 406-579-2345.

 

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