Kirby’s Rescue Haven, located in McDavid, Fla., will have a Festival 4 the Furz this Saturday, Oct. 16, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Davisville Community Center on Hwy. 97 in McDavid. They will have face painting, pony rides, games, dunking booth, concession stand and plenty more. There will be a costume contest for dogs at 1 p.m. and first, second and third place prizes will be awarded. Contestants need to be there at 12:30 p.m. to register.

Kirby’s Rescue Haven is not the usual animal shelter. It has been rescuing, adopting and rehabilitating animals since July of 2008. It is a “no kill” animal shelter where each animal is provided a safe, loving home until they can be adopted.

“It’s been my dream to run a shelter for animals who have no home,” said Kristi Kirby. “We have placed more than 200 animals since we opened in 2008. It’s not always easy, but it is always rewarding. To be able to take an animal out of a bad situation and give them a second chance. The animals come from all sorts of backgrounds and sometimes only need a few kind words. My partner, Crystal Clanton, and I get to love all of the animals but we can’t keep all of them. Here at Kirby’s we believe there is no such thing as bad animals, just bad people. The cruelty that some of them go through just blows our minds. Over the years we have seen so much abused and neglected animals that are so afraid of everything, that even their own shadow scares them.”

The population of the shelter is rather large right now. Kirby said there are 46 animals at the present time and there is no room for more.

“We are full and really need some help for people to become foster ‘parents’ to some of the animals,” she said. “If someone will take one or two animals to their home, and love them, just until they can be adopted, it would be a big help.

Kirby added that she has hopes of expanding the shelter.

“We also want to be able to have a vet check the animals,” she said. “All of the animals are up to date on all shots, and most of them are fixed. Right now Crystal and I are supporting them ourselves, but we need some help.”

Check out Kirby’s Web site www.kirbysrescuehaven.com or call Kristi at 251-234-8675 to see what you can do to help and then come to the benefit this Saturday.