Pets and their peeps are especially fortified through year-round efforts of a resourceful, dedicated nonprofit: Beesley Animal Foundation.
Murfreesboro native Jesse C. Beesley Jr., (1901-1980) a noted sculptor, was instrumental in forming the first humane society in Rutherford County with grassroots volunteers in 1976. He inspired the formation of a local spay/neuter clinic in 1992. Since the opening of the Beesley Animal Clinic during May of 1992, more than 76,000 spay/neuter surgeries were performed.
Today, BAF Executive Director Dawn Roberts says the group still operates Beesley Animal Clinic, and remains dedicated to decreasing the suffering caused by pet overpopulation. During 2024 alone, she says BAF subsidized $57,000-plus in veterinary services for pet owners and performed 3,103 spay/neuter surgeries, plus 19,220 vaccinations. She says anyone is welcome to seek Beesley’s services and programs, regardless of where they live.
In addition to the clinic, four other programs fall under the BAF umbrella to support community pets and pet owners:
-
Education: BAF representatives educate community residents about responsible pet care, including how spay/neuter and pet wellness are necessary in ensuring pets remain healthy and happy. Topics include: avoiding animal bites; kindness to animals; responsible pet ownership; importance of rabies shots; proper vet care; leash laws; and importance of population control. Kind News, a RedRover magazine promoting “kindness, respect, responsibility” to pets and people, is provided to elementary schools in Rutherford and Cannon counties through this program.
-
Financial Assistance: BAF offers financial assistance to underserved or low-income individuals, senior citizens and those facing homelessness. Qualified individuals receive assistance to spay/neuter their cat or dog, or other BAC services.
-
Community Outreach: BAF partners with organizations in Rutherford and Cannon counties to distribute cat and dog food with human food drives. Since 2016, 46,500-plus pounds of pet food were distributed throughout Middle Tennessee. "We especially enjoy partnering with senior centers," explains Dawn.
-
Oliver Pet Assistance Fund: Through this program, owned cats and dogs in Rutherford and Cannon Counties can request assistance for urgent-nonemergent care thanks to partnerships with local veterinarians.
"We strongly believe in the power of the human-animal bond," states Dawn.
The foundation and clinic are located in Murfreesboro at 2215 Keeneland Commercial Blvd.
Foundation: 615.217.1030
Clinic: 615.890.6878
BeesleyAnimalClinic.com/about-the-foundation
"This year marks a major milestone: the Beesley Animal Foundation 45th anniversary. We're honored to continue this legacy of service. Together, we'll keep making meaningful differences in the lives of pets and people in our community," ~Dawn Roberts, BAF executive director