MUSCATINE, Iowa–When It Takes a Village Animal Rescue & Resources travels out of state to rescue dogs from kill shelters, they bring back as many as they can, requiring a large vehicle to safely hold all their kennels. When natural disasters strike, they deliver generous loads of donated supplies. In the near future, It Takes a Village would also like to start hosting mobile microchip clinics. All of these activities require special vehicles.
To better serve the animals they help, It Takes a Village would like to purchase a used class A RV. To make it more suitable for their needs, they will retrofit the back of the RV by reinforcing it and outfitting it with shelving that can safely hold between 17 and 18 dog kennels. Additionally, It Takes a Village will remove or cover all porous surfaces in the back of the vehicle with impermeable ones that they can bleach in between transports, preventing the dogs they rescue from spreading diseases to each other.
It Takes a Village Founder Meagan Koehler estimates it will cost the rescue about $7,500 to both purchase their rescue mobile and customize it to meet their specifications. To raise these funds, It Takes a Village has asked the community for their help. In exchange for donations, the rescue will place the name of all donors or donating businesses on the side of the rescue mobile. The size of the donation will determine the size of the letters used to place the donor’s name on the vehicle with donations of $1 to $99 getting 1.5″ letters, those donating $100 to $249 getting 3″ letters, donors contributing between $250 and $499 getting 6″ letters, sponsors giving between $500 and $999 getting 12″ letters, and those donating more than $1,000 getting 24″ letters. People who would like to contribute may ask to have their donation made in memory of someone else, but It Takes a Village will not accept any political messages. If you would like to donate, It Takes a Village can receive donations through their Facebook page, PayPal, Venmo, or via checks mailed to It Take a Village Animal Rescue & Resources, PO Box 634, Muscatine, IA 52761.
