The Arrow Fund Helps Heal Animals Hurt by Cruelty
Few of us are immune to the distracting pull of cute animal videos. We can watch with unabashed delight kittens swatting at dust motes floating through the air, and who can resist a playful pup scampering toward a ball or a butterfly or whatever it is that catches the canine’s attention in the moment?
But for all the funny and cute dog and cat videos on social media, there are at least as many videos of animals that have been harmed by humans in some way. Some have been chained up in the heat, while others have been abandoned to fend for themselves, and these may be the lucky ones. Other dogs and cats have been severely and cruelly abused and neglected.
It is because of these gravely mistreated animals that The Arrow Fund began in 2013. Carrie Shoaf, who handles communications for the organization, says it got its start when a Black Labrador was found in Eastern Kentucky wandering through fields. The animal had been intentionally shot and still had an arrow in its body.
“At the time, no organization in the state specialized in rehabilitating severe cruelty cases, especially those needing specialty veterinary care,” Shoaf says.
The dog, who was later named Aiden, spurred a group of animal lovers to find and fund his medical treatment. Fortunately, Aiden was not only able to survive his injuries but found a loving home where he lived a healthy and happy life until he passed away in 2024.
“Aiden’s rescue, rehabilitation, and success led to the formation of The Arrow Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit specializing in rehabilitating animal victims of abuse, torture, and extreme neglect,” she says.
Animals that have been horribly abused come with a unique set of needs. Many of them require extensive and complicated surgeries, which then often leads to longer-term physical rehabilitation and recuperation. There are also the emotional and behavioral needs of the animals who, having been harmed by humans, are rightly scared of them and need to learn to trust people again.
Unlike some other animal rescue organizations, The Arrow Fund does not have a facility, which means it relies on volunteers to care for animals in their homes. Typically, animal rescuers or shelters in the state will contact The Arrow Fund to let them know there is an animal in need. Members then create a plan of action that involves locating a foster, which is the first and most important step.
“We cannot take responsibility for a new case until a foster has been secured for that particular pet,” Shoaf adds. “Once a foster has been confirmed, we arrange immediate transport of the injured animal for evaluation by one of our animal hospital partners here in Louisville.”
Shoaf notes that because of the nature of the abuse that The Arrow Fund animals experience, it can be emotionally draining to witness the ones that come to the organization.
“Front-line rescuers bear witness to some of the worst devastation from animal abuse at the hands of unimaginable human cruelty,” she says. “Burnout among those who work many hours and expend much energy to save innocent victims of abuse is always a challenge for rescue organizations.”
Unfortunately, these rescuers know there are too many abused and neglected animals in need of assistance. In fact, the state of Kentucky ranks among the worst for animal welfare. A 2023 report by the Animal Legal Defense Fund shows that Kentucky ranks fifth worst for laws that protect animals, with only North Dakota, Alabama, Idaho and South Carolina having higher rankings.
While animal abuse is obviously horrible, it also has a financial cost, which people may not realize. Shoaf says “the cycle of abuse costs Kentucky taxpayers $150,000 or more annually.”
People who abuse animals often don’t face charges or experience any consequences, and so their behavior continues.
To make matters even worse, there is a strong correlation between animal abuse and child abuse. According to the Child Maltreatment 2023 report from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Kentucky’s child abuse rates are double the national average. The abuse of the small and weak, it seems, goes hand-in-hand.
The Arrow Fund is a small outfit, so it is always in need of volunteers, especially people willing to foster animals. While fostering may seem like a big ask, there are certain benefits to fostering that people may not have considered. The Arrow Fund provides everything that the rescued animal needs. Carrie says all medical expenses, supplies, food, bedding, toys, litter and treats are covered by the organization so that fosters can focus their energy on providing stability and care to the animal.
Another benefit to fostering is it gives people who love animals an opportunity to love on them but without the lifetime commitment. Adults who have retired and want to travel may find that fostering allows them the best parts of being a pet parent, they can foster for a time while an animal is recuperating and then take a break.
There is always a need for “more compassionate people to provide a safe and loving home while an animal recovers until the pet is cleared by a vet for adoption into its new, forever family,” Shoaf says.
Because the medical expenses for grievously abused animals are high, The Arrow Fund has four fundraising events each year to help save as many animals as possible. In the late winter months, The Arrow Fund participates in Kentucky Animal Action Day in Frankfort, while April is when they host their Furry Derby Paw-tay at Noble Funk Brewing Company. During the months of May through September, volunteers with The Arrow Fund can be found at the St. Matthews Farmers Market every Saturday from 8 a.m.-noon selling fresh treats and bringing people’s attention to the plight of abused animals.
Finally, in September, the organization has a booth at the Jeffersontown Gaslight Festival where they sell treats, logo gear, magnets and various other goodies to raise funds.
Since its inception, around 600 animals have been rescued and helped by The Arrow Fund but, of course, not every animal can be saved. Shoaf notes that those animals that are too injured to recover are given a humane passing. Despite these losses, volunteers know that these animals, in their last moments, were cared for, and that provides them some solace. These losses sometimes motivate volunteers to work even harder to find and help animals.
If you would like to be part of making a difference in the lives of abused and neglected animals, whether it is through donations, fostering or adopting, please visit thearrowfund.org to learn more.
