Claire's Home and Rescue Family
Donation protected
Being an independent sort of person as well as intensely private, putting myself out here and asking for help is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. However, my back is against the wall as I am running out of time.
I live in a small house which I have rented and have had a long-standing and good relationship with the homeowner for 20 years. There was no lease but an oral agreement and I have done all maintenance and repairs. In December, I found out that she had died back in October when a neighbor said they saw her obituary. I assumed I would be contacted regarding the future plans for my house but I never heard from anyone. In January a detainer warrant was taped to the door with a court date which means that they were evicting me to take possession of the house. When I finally was able to locate and contact the executor of the will, the homeowner’s sister, I was told that the will stipulates that the house must be sold. With the help and counsel of attorneys, professionals and friends, I have pursued every lead, angle and possibility—both traditional and otherwise--to try and find a way to purchase the house on my own but I have not been able to. Through the court, I was granted a continuance but by March 11, if I am not prepared to buy the house, they will proceed with the eviction process.
Here is the crux of the matter. If it was just me and maybe a dog and a cat or 2, I could just say ok, life changes…I have to move on and work on finding another place to live. But it is not at all simple. For many years I have been involved in animal rescue—both personally and with groups--and have acquired a number of animal (cat and dog) family members. Several of them are elderly (12 to 16 years old) and some have health issues which require medication and have special needs. While I will not—cannot--take on any more, I am committed to caring for these beings until the end of their lives. This is not just service but completely where my heart is. Since all of my human relatives are gone, these little animals--along with my community of friends--are my family. Some of the animals I have had since they were born and all of them for a number of years. “Downsizing” as someone suggested or “getting rid of” which means surrendering them is not an option and neither is finding a new place to rent. While this house is small, it has a fenced yard and the neighborhood is relatively safe for Memphis which is an important factor. Rental prices in even marginal areas have increased and it would be impossible to find some place willing to accept more than a dog or two.
I have been through a lot in this lifetime but the surprise of this situation and the possibility of being without a home…or losing these creatures who are so dear to me…as you can imagine has brought up crushing anxiety and fear.
So I am asking for your help. $39,500 will make it possible for me to buy this house…to have a safe place to live and keep my 4-legged family together. Again, my deadline to have this in place and report to the estate attorney is March 11. I am deeply grateful for your support through either a financial donation or forwarding this to a friend or someone you know who might be able to contribute.
I am open to ideas and suggestions. You can message me here through the "Help" link at the bottom of the page or on Facebook.
Blessings and love,
Claire
I live in a small house which I have rented and have had a long-standing and good relationship with the homeowner for 20 years. There was no lease but an oral agreement and I have done all maintenance and repairs. In December, I found out that she had died back in October when a neighbor said they saw her obituary. I assumed I would be contacted regarding the future plans for my house but I never heard from anyone. In January a detainer warrant was taped to the door with a court date which means that they were evicting me to take possession of the house. When I finally was able to locate and contact the executor of the will, the homeowner’s sister, I was told that the will stipulates that the house must be sold. With the help and counsel of attorneys, professionals and friends, I have pursued every lead, angle and possibility—both traditional and otherwise--to try and find a way to purchase the house on my own but I have not been able to. Through the court, I was granted a continuance but by March 11, if I am not prepared to buy the house, they will proceed with the eviction process.
Here is the crux of the matter. If it was just me and maybe a dog and a cat or 2, I could just say ok, life changes…I have to move on and work on finding another place to live. But it is not at all simple. For many years I have been involved in animal rescue—both personally and with groups--and have acquired a number of animal (cat and dog) family members. Several of them are elderly (12 to 16 years old) and some have health issues which require medication and have special needs. While I will not—cannot--take on any more, I am committed to caring for these beings until the end of their lives. This is not just service but completely where my heart is. Since all of my human relatives are gone, these little animals--along with my community of friends--are my family. Some of the animals I have had since they were born and all of them for a number of years. “Downsizing” as someone suggested or “getting rid of” which means surrendering them is not an option and neither is finding a new place to rent. While this house is small, it has a fenced yard and the neighborhood is relatively safe for Memphis which is an important factor. Rental prices in even marginal areas have increased and it would be impossible to find some place willing to accept more than a dog or two.
I have been through a lot in this lifetime but the surprise of this situation and the possibility of being without a home…or losing these creatures who are so dear to me…as you can imagine has brought up crushing anxiety and fear.
So I am asking for your help. $39,500 will make it possible for me to buy this house…to have a safe place to live and keep my 4-legged family together. Again, my deadline to have this in place and report to the estate attorney is March 11. I am deeply grateful for your support through either a financial donation or forwarding this to a friend or someone you know who might be able to contribute.
I am open to ideas and suggestions. You can message me here through the "Help" link at the bottom of the page or on Facebook.
Blessings and love,
Claire
Organizer
Claire Atkins
Organizer
