Matthew Schultz, founder and executive director at True North Sanctuary, is working to provide Athens with a place of refuge, support and care for animals.
True North Sanctuary, located at 6711 Ervin Road, is a 501c3 nonprofit sanctuary rooted in compassion. Officially starting out this June, True North is still getting established in the community as they take on their first furry clients. Their mission is to be a place where animals can heal, live peacefully and be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. Shultz’ vision to found a sanctuary stemmed from a close love of his: Tucker.
Tucker, a labrador owned by Shultz, passed away at the early-age of four years old. Tucker was a vessel of companionship and love for Shultz, showing him what it meant to persevere through hard times and find the good in every situation.
“I started thinking about what I can do with all of the love that I still have for him, Tucker, and all of the love he left behind," Schultz said. “I’ve always wanted to start an animal sanctuary…now it was like, well, what do I have to lose?”
While the sanctuary grows their presence, they’re starting programs of care as well as partnerships in the community. The sanctuary has already taken in its first eight animals, one dog and seven kittens. As they grow, True North is looking to house animals of all breeds. Having grown up on a farm in Wisconsin, Schultz is prepared to take in pigs, ducks and other animals that may not be able to find care elsewhere.
The sanctuary will be taking in animals, but they will also help them find loving homes. Soon community Cooperative Adoption Programs, adoption and fostering services will be available through True North.
In order to provide medical care for animals, True North established a partnership with Kroner Animal Care. So far, they have provided services such as vaccinations and deworming for animals under Shultz’ care.
Joseph Crabtree, practice manager at Kroner Animal Care, said that partnership was a ‘no-brainer’ for him. Crabtree is happy with the work they’ve done together and looking forward to what's to come.
*A shared goal between Shultz and Crabtree is combatting the *overpopulation of cats in the Athens area. Shultz stated this has been a growing problem, stemming from stray kittens having nowhere to go.
*“One of those programs we're hoping to start is being able to catch (stray cats), have them spayed and neutered and then released back to where they reside, if it’s safe to do so.” Schultz said.
*Crabtree added that at times clinics have gotten overwhelmed or *”maxed out.”
*“We’re always trying to take in kittens to get those adopted out,” Crabtree said. “We had nine at once at our location on Ervin Road, and like six at our Plains location.”
*Not only is True North dedicated to serving animals in Athens, but the people and community as well. With plans to run programs like *animal therapy, Shultz wants to provide the community with the healing that helped him the most.
*“My big refuge wasn’t the people all around me, the support,” Shultz said. “It was actually me spending time with the animals, that’s what I felt was the most healing.”
*Looking towards the future, partnerships with *licensed therapists, *yoga instructors and even Reiki, a Japanese stress reduction technique, are on the drawing table for True North. Others within Athens see this opportunity as something the community needs, and will be able to thrive with.
*Mary Connolly, executive director for the Athens County Humane Society, believes helping people as well as animals is a great way to address animal care.
*“My personal joy related to this particular organization popping up is truly the involvement of community in animal welfare,” Connolly said. “Considering the human aspect of that because animal welfare is so challenging and so heartbreaking so often.”
Connolly said the overpopulation of cats in the area is a *“tough situation.” Even with the animal welfare organizations in Athens, she said they can’t “fully meet the need” for the stray dogs and cats.
*Helping the community stays at the forefront of True North’s mission, providing care to those within it is just one of the stepping stones along their journey as an organization. Connolly added that just having another organization in Athens is care in itself.
*“Theres nothing worse than feeling like you have to tell somebody, ‘I’m sorry, but I can’t help you’,” Connolly said.
*Although the Athens County Humane Society is not an official partner of True North, the animal care scene in Athens is grounded on the interconnecting of organizations. As True North continues to grow, they pride themselves in being engulfed into their community.
*“Every single person can make a difference in the lives of these animals, and I hope that the impact goes just beyond the number of animals that we rescue,” Schultz said.
