Four-month-old Prince is one of many dogs helped by Hank’s Rescue.
By Lana Pierce (Charleydog’s mom)
Prince, a four-month-old black lab, isn’t hard to please. He is the newest member in an encampment of unhoused locals, the tiniest in a family spanning three generations who are almost always self-sufficient. But when the snow came, his tiny frame and soft fur failed to quell his shivering.
A day before the snow hit, he received a care package from Hank’s Rescue, a new local nonprofit dedicated to the care of dogs in need. They provided Prince with sweaters, blankets, a collar and leash, and two harnesses: one for now and one to grow into.
Hank’s Rescue is the dreamchild of Nick and Elizabeth John, a local couple who’ve taken their shared passion for animals and built a non-profit resource, a thrift store, and a kennel. But, like Prince, they are still small and need all the help they can get to grow into the multifaceted resource envisioned by the Johns.
Currently, monetary and physical donations of dog care items, food, and kennels trickle in, and the thrift store on Hobson is gaining traction. In addition to building two small kennels, they’ve partnered with Animal Services to pull animals from the shelter and relieve overcrowding. They’ve secured strays and helped people secure their own fencing to keep pets safe. When able, they’ve even driven dogs out of state to new homes.
The Johns have poured everything into this dream. Nick, skilled in construction, does much of the building himself and even sold his gold and silver collection to finance the first two shelters. “We’re giving everything we have, but we still need help. Donations, volunteers, land to build the large shelter. You name it. We intend to grow into the largest, most efficient rescue in the south one way or another and we want Hot Springs to be part of that journey.”
To learn more about Hank’s Rescue and its plans for the future, visit Facebook: Hanks Rescue. Share their posts to help gather supporters. Shop at (and donate to) their thrift store, located at 821 Hobson Avenue. Visit their website at www.hanksrescue.com.
Lana Pierce is a captain with the North Little Rock Fire Department and owner of The RetroFit. Under a pen name, she has been published in over 200 books, journals, and newspapers.
