Agape Animal Rescue

My name is Kim and I proudly serve on the board for Agape Animal Rescue, a Nashville based  501(c)(3) non-profit rescue that works tirelessly to save at-risk dogs from euthanasia in the shelter system. Since it was founded in 2004, Agape has rescued over 1,400 dogs who have gone on to be placed permanently placed in loving homes through Agape’s signature foster, training  and adoption program. 

Now in it's 15th year, Agape has renewed it's commitment to saving lives and enriching families, with the firm belief that responsible pet ownership benefits everyone. Agape hopes to extend it's program to meet the increasing need for behavioral training to prevent dogs being surrendered to the shelter system, partnering with other rescues and shelters, and providing training resources who may not otherwise have access. 

Agape is a truly unique and special organization: dogs who go through their program receive full medical care, behavioral training, and the opportunity discover the best version of themselves during foster care with experienced, nurturing foster parents. Agape's adoption process is thorough, and ensures that dogs will be matched with the perfect forever family. And the process works! Agape consistently maintains a 99% retention rate among adoptive families. 

Last week, Agape Animal Rescue and its employees were victims of theft by companies associated with payroll service, MyPayrollHR.com. Although payroll deposits were made appropriately to our employees’ bank accounts, they woke up last Thursday (and subsequent days!) to unauthorized ACH withdrawals by MyPayrollHR from their bank account. This included not only last week’s payroll but additional funds from employees bank accounts totaling over $1 million.  

Agape continues to work closely with their attorney, bank and other professionals to ensure that their employees are supported, and that the money stolen from employees is returned as quickly as possible. Agape does not yet know the full extent to which other Agape funds might be affected by this theft, but are monitoring the situation closely.

Since this unfortunate event, Agape has incurred losses, both in funds and in time spent by individual staff working to resolve and recover their personal financial losses. This has effectively disrupted Agape's ability to save lives, and has affected Agape's ability to bring new dogs into the program, slowing intake down significantly. Agape's board, staff and volunteer remain more dedicated than ever to fulfilling their mission, and are working hard to ensure operations continue with as little interruption as possible, but they need your help! Please consider giving generously to support this special organization in returning to normal in the aftermath of such a terrible event. Any funds raised that exceed total losses, will go towards Agape's Signature Foster and Adoption Program, including the exciting new behavioral training focus which will affect positive systemic change in the Middle Tennessee region.

Agape and myself appreciate any assistance that you may be able to give to support their mission of being dedicated to finding forever homes for abandoned and displaced dogs while educating the public to be more responsible pet owners. Your support brings pups in need and loving families together -- much like my own beloved pup, Calli, pictured here, who I adopted from Agape.

Agape remains committed to it's mission, and hopes to continue the roll-out of it's new strategic directions when this situation is resolved. Your support will make this possible.