Dog rescue community comes to fellow rescuer’s aid

His van, which he carries 20-45 dogs in at a time, has endured thousands of miles.

In 10 years, Sharp has helped to transport more than 11,000 dogs across the country to various animal shelters, and he does so at his own expense.

“I drive dogs from shelter to shelter. If a shelter adopts a dog to somebody, I take it to them, and I don’t charge them for it,” Sharp said.

Each year, Sharp spends almost $30,000 transporting dogs. He’s traveled cross-country in his van carrying dozens of dogs that may have otherwise been euthanized. When he’s not traveling, Sharp fosters dogs and helps to rehabilitate those that may have come from neglected or abusive circumstances.

Now his fellow animal rescuers are coming to his rescue by raising money to help with the cost of demolishing his home and building a new one.

“They’re getting me back,” said a tearful Sharp. “It makes me cry. I’ve gotten checks from people I’ve never heard of. It’s kind of overwhelming. Everybody had been so good to me.”

Through emails and websites, friends in the pet rescue community are making donations to help Sharp like he has helped so many with his time and money.

Jane Ammon, who has organized the fundraiser, along with the help of Suzanne Young and Rebecca Harshmann, said there are very few people who do what Sharp does.

“Leonard has never accepted any donations or money for the expenses that he has put out,” Ammon said. “He’s done this all on his own. When he gets a donation, he turns it back into a rescue, because they’re all pretty poor around here and they need help.”

Ammon said she feels it’s important to help give back to someone who has dedicated so much time and money to a cause.

He’s made it his personal effort to find every one of (the dogs) homes,” she said.

Through the help of the community, Ammon hopes to be able to help build Sharp a new home.

He’s lived at his house on Kentucky Street since 1966, but the fire destroyed the kitchen, two living areas and caused smoke damage throughout.

Sharp said he can’t afford to repair the home up to current city code standards, so the home will be demolished and he hopes to build a new home on a piece of property on County Road 223.

The move, he said, would provide more room for the dogs and allow him to take in more at a time.

A savings account has been opened at the Navy Federal Credit Union at 621 Boll Weevil Circle, where donations to help Sharp are being accepted.

Donations can also be made via Paypal through fellow animal rescuer Kym Grogan’s website www.divinebigpawzrescue.org.

Ammon said donations could be sent directly to Sharp at 101 Kentucky Street, Enterprise, Ala., 36330.

Ammon said later down the road, donations of services may be needed when it comes time to build Sharp’s home.

For questions, contact Ammon at 477-3653.

A website has also been created so people can see their donations at work through weekly updates. The website is http://leonardsharp.webs.com/.