SAVING
ANIMAL VICTIMS
Working to End
Animal Cruelty
Caring for abused and severely neglected animals through medical care, advocacy, and education.
ANIMAL RESCUES ONLY: RESCUE@THEARROWFUND.ORG
The Arrow Fund
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes animal victims of extreme torture, abuse, or neglect. We also educate, raise awareness, and advocate for the humane treatment of animals.
Our Vision
Healing abused and severely neglected animals through medical care, advocacy, and education-The Arrow Fund Mission Statement.
The Arrow Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides veterinary treatment, fostering, and rehoming of animals who have been victims of extreme torture, abuse, or neglect. We also educate the public regarding the ongoing problem of animal cruelty and the link between animal abuse and human violence and advocate strengthening our local, state, and national animal welfare laws.
When The Arrow Fund is contacted, and the case meets our criteria, we take legal possession of the animal and transport them to a veterinary facility for treatment. Following treatment, the animal recovers in a foster home; they can acclimate to living indoors and be assessed/retrained in preparation for adoption into a permanent home.
Stay Involved
There’s always something going on at The Arrow Fund! Whether it’s through outreach at a music festival, an important deadline related to changing legislation, or a fundraising event, we love the opportunity to meet and interact with the community.
The Arrow Fund
Caring for abused and severely neglected animals through medical care, advocacy, and education.
Rescue work is not for the faint of heart. Cruelty cases will break your heart, and just when you can’t face another death caused by abusive hands or callous neglect for the most vulnerable among us, life throws you a ray of hope that something you’ve done on behalf of an animal victim might be making a difference for more of them.
Apple Fritter, abandoned to die next to her sibling in the cold Kentucky winter, captured so many hearts with her sad eyes and adorable, freckled face. Her story of neglect and rescue were shared across the nation. People from New York to Texas asked about her.
The Arrow Fund received more than 120 applications for Apple Fritter, and the attention she received did not just help one, adorable puppy.
Because of the overwhelming interest in Fritter and shares of her story, more people became interested in adopting other TAF animals who had been injured and abandoned. More people learned of our mission to rescue, help heal, and rehome animals that have been abused and severely neglected. More people donated to support our mission, allowing us to say YES to helping even more animals in great need.
One man in particular, whose family had been heartbroken after the loss of their family dog (Olivia) who passed away a few years ago, looked into Fritter’s sweet, beautiful eyes, and called his wife to tell her he had finally met the rescued dog they needed to adopt again, bringing the joy of having an animal back into the lives of their daughter and two sons.
Matt and Kristin brought their children to meet Apple Fritter, and the amount of love for her was palpable! This loving family promised to give Fritter the wonderful life and continued care that this baby (and all pets) so rightly deserve!
Thank you for loving this pup from near and far. Thank you for sharing her story which helped (and will continue to help) more rescued animals. 💜
Please help us congratulate Apple Fritter and her new, wonderful forever family who will love and cherish her for the rest of her days! ❤️❤️❤️
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Our hearts are breaking as we say goodbye to this innocent creature who suffered so much.
She arrived at LMAS with a body scale of 2 out of 9. Animal advocates saw her skeletal frame, and knew she needed immediate intervention. They reached out to The Arrow Fund, and we said we would do anything to help her.
She was so weakened by her state of emaciation that her body had all but consumed her own muscles in desperation to keep her alive. The medical staff at LMAS feared she may have had a spinal injury because she could not stand. Radiographs showed no broken bones; she could not stand because her body had nothing left to give.
Someone allowed this innocent dog to starve for a very long time. Someone made her fearful of any hands near her head. Someone treated her like a piece of property that was more of a nuisance. To them, she was disposable and unworthy of care.
When she was rescued, we gave her a new name: Elsa, because she came to us out of the snow and cold. We hoped that getting her immediate medical care and time to recuperate in loving foster home could bring her back from the brink.
This morning, Elsa suffered a seizure, and her loving foster Katie M. rushed her to Dr. Chris at Dogwood Veterinary Clinic; there, Dr. Chris was able to determine that poor Elsa had viral meningitis and that it would be best to not allow her to suffer any longer.
We want you to know that this sweet creature did not die alone, miserable, and longing for someone to care about her.
She spent her last night on earth in a cozy bed in a peaceful, warm house. Her skeletal body was wrapped in soft pajamas.
She passed today surrounded by people who cared deeply about her wellbeing. People spoke kind words into her ear, and stroked her body with gentle hands as they cried.
In the end, Elsa felt love. 💔
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Take Five for some Sunday Sweetness
Sweet Apple Fritter, the tiny puppy found clinging to life beside her deceased brother, is the story that touched hearts throughout Kentucky and states well beyond, but Fritter’s story is only one of many about animals in our region who have been the victims of abandonment, abuse, extreme neglect, and even torture.
It’s because of animals like her that The Arrow Fund (TAF) exists. Today, we want to shine a light on just a few of the other incredible survivors currently in our care who need someone to step up as the beautiful chapters for the rest of their lives.
Janie
Janie was found abandoned in a rural county with a mass so large (over 7 pounds) that it dragged on the ground behind her. A kind stranger made sure she got to a local shelter, and TAF immediately stepped in to help. Today, this brindle beauty is safe, healing rapidly after her tumor removal, and finally getting the care she should have had all along. Her eyes have begun to truly sparkle with the love she’s received and love she has to give.
Bradley
At just 8-weeks-old, Bradley was discovered in a drain, struggling to keep his head above water. He became a part of the Arrow Fund family with bilateral hip fractures, pelvic fractures, and multiple broken bones in his legs. Now 4-months-old, this brave boy is healing beautifully, and will soon be ready to find the loving forever home he deserves.
Elsa
This sweet hound with the saddest eyes was found right here in Louisville. She was so weak from starvation that medical staff initially feared a spinal injury. Thankfully, X-rays showed no broken bones; however, her inability to stand was from severe muscle atrophy caused by prolonged starvation. Elsa’s story is one of quiet suffering, and we’ll be sharing more about her journey soon.
Apollo
Apollo’s story is one of unimaginable pain and incredible resilience. This sweet-natured, handsome Shepherd was found with his leg nearly torn off by a coyote trap. Based on his body condition, we can only imagine how long he struggled before escaping that trap. His injuries didn’t stop there: Apollo also tested positive for heartworms and Lyme disease. Thanks to devoted medical care and a loving Arrow Fund foster home, this beautiful dog has made an amazing recovery and is now ready for his forever family!
To give Janie, Bradley, Elsa, or Apollo a beautiful new family to love for the rest of their lives, please apply here:
new.shelterluv.com/form/other/TAF/133657-animal-adoption-for-the-arrow-fund
#TheArrowFund #AnimalAdvocates #KentuckyAdoptableDogs #KentuckyRescueDog #AdoptableDog
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Thank you, WLKY News, Jennifer Baileys WLKY, and the amazing, caring team at WLKY-TV for sharing not only the touching story of a tiny puppy who was abandoned to die and left clinging to her deceased brother on a roadside in Eastern Kentucky, but also for sharing our efforts to help create positive change for ALL animals across the Commonwealth through Kentucky Animal Action Day!
WATCH the WLKY interview this morning with TAF Exec. Dir. Shelia Joneleit and Kentucky Animal Action Founder Mychell Lawson here:
www.wlky.com/article/kentucky-animal-action-day-frankfort-arrow-fund/70212145
Little Apple Fritter is but one of HUNDREDS of animals in Kentucky who desperately need people who care to speak up for the voiceless to improve animal welfare laws in our state.
Kentucky is ranked as the FOURTH-WORST STATE for Animal Protection Laws!!
PLEASE HELP and JOIN The Arrow Fund, KAA, and animal advocates from across the counties on WEDNESDAY, FEB 4th to speak up for the voiceless!
No experience necessary! Register if at all possible, wear purple (for animal advocacy), bring your I.D. to enter the Ky. Capitol Annex, and show up for the abused, the abandoned, the neglected, and the cast aside animals in Kentucky. 💜💜💜
REGISTER for KAAD 2026: KentuckyAnimalActionDay.com
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Please make plans to join us for the annual Mardi Gras PAWty, a fun, dog-friendly event from 12-4 PM on Sunday, February 22 at Competitive Edge Agility & Dog Sports, 4600 Shepherdsville Rd.!
All healthy and sociable dogs (and their people) are welcome!
Highlights of the Mardi Gras PAWty:
👑 👑 Crowning of the Canine Queen & King!
(see instructions for how to register your pet & vote!)
🐕 🎭 Best Dog Tricks & Best Dog Costume Awards!
📸 🖼️ Pet Portraits available!
🎁 🍗 Pet-themed Gifts, Vendors, and Fresh Pet Treats on site!
🎂 🍪 A King Cake, Human Treats, and Refreshments!
🧺 💝 Silent Auction with FUN & useful presents for animal lovers!
SUBMIT YOUR beautiful dog for QUEEN or KING of the Mardi Gras PAWty! here:
givebutter.com/MardiGrasPawty
1) Use your own name in the submission form and your DOG's name & a cute photo of him/her in the "Team Name and Logo" section.
2) Donate at least $10 to register your nominee for King or Queen of the Mardi Gras PAWty. You can donate more--we won't be upset if you do! 🙂
3) Share your pet's voting page and get your friends and family to vote for your pet!
Please reach out to Events@thearrowfund.org with any questions.
Hope to see you at the PAWty!!
All donations benefit The Arrow Fund! 💜
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HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Affiliations & Support
Thanks to our growing partnerships with organizations for their generosity and support.
