<div>I was heading to the San Carlos Apache Reservation to film a documentary about GART, the Geronimo Animal Rescue Team... three Apache women started GART to help deal with the pet neglect, lack of pet education, animal abuse and overpopulation of stray animals on the Rez. The day before my crew and I arrived there was the largest fire in decades. The devastation was immense.
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<div>On July 11th, 2024, the fire destroyed over 20 homes on the San Carlos Apache Reservation in Arizona. Residents watched their homes and belongings burn to the ground, and in many cases, had to leave their pets to save themselves. While some pets made it out alive, many others were either injured or died amongst the flames. This incident has put a spotlight on Julie Cassadore (AKA Apache Jewel), Kiaya Jackson, and Dorothea Stevens, who all grew up on the Reservation and started GART. GART has dedicated decades of their own money and time to rescuing animals on the reservation. Through the fire, GART has been helping residents and their pets recover. The battle for GART (before and after the fire) has/will be a long and hard one:
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<li>There is no vet on the reservation. The closest vet to the reservation is a 1.5 hour (ONE WAY) drive away. Julie will sometimes make 2 to 3 round trips a day to save animals. That requires an insane amount of gas and therefore, gas money.
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<li>Many people believe that Rez residents benefit from the casino money. This is not true. Julie will tell you that herself. The money for the casino does not funnel it's way back into GART.
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<li>The tribal government, which receives federal funds, has red tape on each and every dollar. Pet care is not on the list, so, unfortunately, GART doesn't see a dime from the tribal government either.
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<li>Generational Trauma: GART will not only spend their own money on animals, they will often buy gas, water, and food for the residents, many of whom, are jobless due to generational trauma. The generation trauma is also a major cause for issues like alcoholism and lack of pet education, which leads to (in some cases) animal abuse/neglect.
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<li>Stray and abandoned animals are reproducing at a rapid rate, and though GART attempts to spay and neuter as many as possible (through visiting pop-up vet clinics), the problem is far too overwhelming to keep up with and has become a losing battle. Many times, pets will have a litter of 6 or more puppies/kittens/etc... in 6 months those infants are old enough to reproduce... it's a bad combination.
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<li>Many of the San Carlos Apache Residents do not have money for pet food and care. GART has a few regular donors, but the funds from donors run out half way through the month. And the pallets of dog and cat food that GART receives from donors are gone in a matter of HOURS once GART runs its free drive-thru give-away for residents.
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<li>Though San Carlos Animal Control was nice enough to share a space with GART, GART still does not have a building of their own on the Reservation, and as a result, the members of GART end up taking many animals into their own homes.
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<li>GART was, at one point, a 501c3. However, due to accountant errors (not their own), they lost their 501c3 status. This has hurt their ability to receive donations of any kind.
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<li>Due to the fire, GART funds have completely run dry even quicker than usual. Every day, Julie receives new calls about: injured animals, scared pets who have returned home - only to find ash, and others who need immediate care. Again, in most cases she has to drive them to a vet (off the Rez) which is 1.5 HOURS away (one way).
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<div>Honestly, $10,000 isn't nearly enough to solve the issues that GART is up against. They and the residents of San Carlos need your help. Please donate and share.
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Judith Bogdanove

Michael Shuford

Mandi Willett

Jessica Johnston

Rachel Ward

Anonymous

susan dunham

Celina Dunn

Sue N Paul Ciancimino

nene quintero

Jessica Richard

Joyce Moore

Kelly Garey

David Murphy

Jamie Johnson

Anjeannette Hooke

Kiyo Taylor

Bryan Cervantez

Hope After the San Carlos Fire: Support GART’s Animal Rescue

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