Thousands of dollars raised to help man who ‘spent nearly everything’ taking in stray animals

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) - Community members are stepping up to assist a Missouri man who “spent nearly everything” he has to care for stray animals.

The Animal Rescue Corps said last week that nearly 40 dogs and five cats were rescued from a home in Missouri and taken to the organization’s rescue center in Tennessee for medical care.

In its announcement of the rescue, the group said that the man had been attempting to take care of the animals, but that the population kept growing, quickly leaving him overwhelmed.

After the rescue, Cynthia Trent, a woman from Poplar Bluff, Missouri, started a GoFundMe for that man, identified as Ted.

According to Trent, Ted was living in an old dilapidated camper, only accessible by a dirt road, without electricity or water, while walking daily to get water for himself and the animals.

Trent said she befriended the man in hopes of helping both him and the animals he cared for.

Through that friendship, Trent said that she discovered Ted used to be a teacher at a university until health issues ended his teaching career.

Ted reportedly just had a small dog that was fixed, but other animals eventually showed up at his home.

“In this rural part of Missouri, there are no resources available for animals, and the trailers mentioned are one of the known dumping grounds in the county,” Trent shared.

Ted would go on to try and help all of the animals that came to his home, even at the expense of his health and well-being, Trent said.

“For a short time, he managed to get dogs vaccinated and altered, but the dogs kept showing up, and that was not sustainable,” she wrote.

Trent shared that she was contacting rescues to help save the animals, and eventually, those pleas for help reached ARC.

Within an hour of contacting Trent, she said the organization sent her funds to cover food for every animal on the property and offered to cover vet expenses for those that needed immediate care.

With the animals being rescued, Trent said Ted agreed to get help for himself.

Trent started the fundraising efforts for Ted with a $50,000 goal, and within a few days, it has already helped raise more than $40,000.

“I talk with Ted every morning, and he is just so thankful to each and every one of you who have cared and supported him,” Trent shared in an update. “He is a bit overwhelmed but truly feels loved.”

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