Helping Rescue Dogs and Cats Get Ready for Furever Homes
By Kathryn Allen
Animal rescue groups will tell you that the largest expenditure they face in helping homeless animals become loved family members is veterinary care. Harmony Animal Rescue Clinic (HARC), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, located on Ten-Ten Road in Apex has been providing this essential veterinary service to local animal rescue groups since 2020. You may not have noticed HARC as you drive past the strip mall where it is located, but for local rescues, it is one of the most important places they know.
HARC has a unique mission. It only serves rescued animals, helping them get healthy and ready to find their forever homes. The inspiration for HARC came from the minds of Dr. Jodi Reed and Jason Lenhardt, the owners of Harmony Animal Hospital here in Apex. When their practice expanded and they decided to build a new facility, Dr. Reed and Lenhardt committed to repurpose their former space into a non-profit clinic dedicated to providing low-cost care for the most vulnerable dogs and cats. Currently, HARC works with 121 local rescue groups across North Carolina, with a special focus on Triangle non-profit animal rescues.
Clinic founder and Co-Medical Director Dr. Reed shares, “It’s always been my dream to create a dedicated space that provides veterinary care to non-profit animal rescue organizations. Having timely, low-cost care helps rescue groups save more lives by getting dogs and cats fostered and adopted more quickly.”
A local foster mom for Triangle Beagle Rescue says, “I have taken my rescues to HARC for the last two years. I appreciate how welcome they make my foster dog, who may be going to the vet for the very first time, feel along with the professional and supportive environment they provide to fosters and rescues.”
HARC provides a full range of veterinary services for its patients. Since inception, HARC has treated more than 11,600 patients and performed more than 9,300 surgeries — a majority of which are spay/neuter procedures. Another service is heartworm treatment, which is one of the biggest needs rescues face. HARC also offers radiography, physical therapy and rehabilitation, and outpatient medical care to treat the special needs of their patients.
The HARC team includes HARC Co-Medical Director Dr. Julia Malatesta and veterinarians Dr. Mikaela Archambault and Dr. David DiPiero who work with Lead Veterinary Nurse Brandy Brown and a skilled team of veterinary technicians and front office staff.
Dr. Malatesta tells us, “Everyone at HARC is very passionate about our work and embraces our mission to help rescue animals in need. I’m honored to be a part of such a committed and hardworking team that takes great pride in the difference we make for rescues daily.”
The dedication the staff shows to providing high-quality veterinary care to all of their patients, and the compassion the staff has for both the animals and the rescue volunteers and fosters is reflected in the feedback the clinic receives. Rescue partners rave about the support they get from HARC:
Liese Zweigart, Second Chance Pet Adoptions board member, explains, “HARC provides critical spay/neuter surgery support for Second Chance Pet Adoptions community outreach efforts in Harnett and Johnston counties. Not only do they offer low-cost services, but they also provide high-quality care and are very easy to work with. Through our partnership, HARC has delivered over 1,000 spay/neuter surgeries, thus preventing tens of thousands of future homeless cats and dogs. We are very grateful to have HARC as a partner.”
Julie Williams, a volunteer with The Goathouse Refuge, shares, “HARC has been an awesome resource for the cats at The Goathouse Refuge as it gets harder and harder to find affordable vet care for non-profits. The awesome staff, including the front desk, vet techs and veterinarians, have helped us get cats into their forever homes faster by getting their vetting (spay/neuter, rabies vaccines, etc.) done in a timely manner. It’s not all just spay and neutering either, HARC’s vets have done dental surgeries on our cats and a couple of needed eye procedures to ease their pain and extend their lives. The vets and staff are very mindful of the tight budgets that non-profits function under and always give us estimates on more costly procedures and labs while giving us options for care. I don’t know what our kitties would do without HARC!”
Marlianne Midyette, founder of Love Mutts Rescue relates, “Our non-profit rescue, Love Mutts Rescue, has been with HARC since opening — about 5 years! Most [of our visits] are scheduled exams and surgeries. We have had mini emergencies that have needed quick appointments; one for a puppy going to Canada. They have worked us in! I see [that they are] always loving the animals.”
HARC also serves the general public by providing information about pet adoption and wildlife rescue. HARC works to promote pet adoptions by offering resources on its website to connect potential adopters with rescued animals. It also provides valuable information for members of the public who find injured or orphaned wildlife. To access these resources, please go to https://harcnc.org/resources-for-the-public/.
This year marks the fifth anniversary for HARC, which has earned its Candid Gold Seal of Transparency designation as a nonprofit. To celebrate their continuing success and to raise awareness of the need for pet rescue, HARC is planning an event in August. Stay tuned to the HARC website for further details.
Clinic Manager Gary Canfield sums it up best, “It is heartbreaking how many cats and dogs in our community do not have safe, loving homes. Rescue groups are doing great work to alleviate this problem, but they need affordable, available veterinary care for all the pets they are trying to save. HARC provides access to this care and helps alleviate one of the primary bottlenecks in saving pets.”
If you want to learn more about HARC and its work with rescued pets, please go to https://harcnc.org/. To support HARC’s work or become a HARC hero, donations are accepted at https://harcnc.org/how-to-help/.
