By John Hernandez
Charlotte Miera, the founder of local animal rescue group At Risk Rescue, unexpectedly passed away last week and her friends are asking for help to keep her shelter operational.
“I loved her to pieces” said friend Cher Heath, who said Miera was an amazing animal lover and advocate. “She will be missed.”
Miera founded At Risk Rescue in 2011 and under her leadership more than 1,000 cats and dogs were spayed or neutered in less than a year. Heath said that Charlotte cared so much for the animals that she paid for 90 percent of the food for the foster pets out of her own pocket.
“She would make sure they had medication if needed and paid for vet visits,” Heath added. “She was also instrumental in getting dogs placed in foster homes and adopted. She instilled a strong sense of responsibility for animals that no one else could.”
To carry on her dream, the founding members and volunteers of this animal rescue group will re-organize under a new name, Charlotte’s Way Rescue. Friends said the name a play on how Miera was known to be pushy, but always got things done.
A memorial service is planned in Oracle for Charlotte next year with details forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted in her name for Charlotte’s Way Rescue.
At Risk/Charlotte’s Way Rescue is in need of volunteers to help with exercising and feeding dogs, transportation to vets, cleaning their pens and completing paperwork. They also need help in organizing and working at fundraisers.
The organization can also use donations and foster families to take care of animals until they can be adopted.
The Rescue will provide food for fostered pets. For more information on how to help, contact Cher at (520)705-5425 or Laura at (520)405-6484 or (520)896-2405.
Donations can be dropped off at Hot Dogs & Cool Cats grooming service, Monday through Thursday on American Avenue in Oracle.