Tag Archive for: #ruincreekanimalprotectionsociety

2023 Ruin Creek Cruise In Rolls Into Town Sept. 9

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Come join the fun and enjoy all the sights, sounds, and tastes at the 2023 Ruin Creek Cruise In of Henderson on Saturday, Sept. 9.

The event runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free and there will be vendors, live music and more, so make plans to attend! All proceeds benefit the Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society. There will be music to enjoy, local vendors on site and classic and collector cars from all around Henderson and surrounding areas for people to enjoy.

“The 2023 Ruin Creek Cruise-In is not just about raising money to help the animals here in our hometown of Henderson but it’s also about being able to host an event to bring Henderson together for a night out of safe family fun,” said Brandon Boyd, RCAPS founder and president.

Vehicle registration begins at 1 p.m. The event takes place at 284 US 158 bypass, familiarly known as the former Boyd dealership, located across from the present Boyd location.

Classic Car enthusiast and stock-car racing TV broadcaster Mike Joy will be on hand to add to the festivities.

 WIZS Radio is the presenting sponsor for the Cruise In. “WIZS has been a faithful and loyal supporter of Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson for many years and to have WIZS as a sponsor is a perfect fit to make this evening in Henderson exactly what we want it to be,” Boyd said.
Check the Ruin Creek Cruise-In of Henderson Facebook page for updates or to request to be a vendor for the event.

TownTalk: RCAPS And Cruise In Continues To Support Animals In Need

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Ask Brandon Boyd about his favorite things to talk about, and chances are good that two of them are cars and Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society – not necessarily in that order.

And it’s exactly those two things that will take center stage at this Saturday’s Ruin Creek Cruise-In event at the former Charles Boyd car dealership on U.S. Hwy 158 bypass.

The Cruise-In is being sponsored this year by the Vance County Tourism Authority and Boyd told John C. Rose on Town Talk Tuesday that he’s looking forward to a safe, fun family event – complete with food, live music, and – of course – classic and collector vehicles from near and far. Collectors may begin registering their classic cars and finding their parking spot at 1 p.m.; the event is from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

It’s a way to say “thank you” to all those who help to work tirelessly to fulfill the RCAPS mission of reducing the number of unwanted pets in Vance County.

In the past six years, through a close collaboration with RCAPS, the local shelter has almost cut in half the number of pets that end up at the animal shelter – from more than 3,000 to between 1,700 or 1,800.

“It feels great,” Boyd said of the achievement. “But as we all talk about, there’s still work to be done.” Animal services staff, under the direction of Chief Frankie Nobles, and dedicated shelter and RCAPS volunteers spend untold hours finding rescues who can hopefully find foster homes or adoptive homes for the animals, mostly dogs, Boyd said.

And the animals who do come into the shelter are spayed and neutered before they take that Friday evening “Freedom Ride” to what everyone hopes is a loving home.

Over the last month or 45 days, though, Boyd said the shelter has been “packed full.” Rescue and adoption partners are working around the clock to place the animals in homes and get them out of the shelter.

Boyd said plans are underway to convert the former animal shelter on Vance Academy Road into a low-cost spay and neuter clinic for the community. Although there is not a hard and fast timeline for completion right now, he said that they’re pricing medical equipment now and recruiting veterinary staff to come in to perform the procedures.

“It is in the works and is going to happen,” he said, adding that the clinic will be a tremendous asset for the community to gain the upper hand in the battle to further reduce the demand on the animal shelter and its resources.

“This takes everybody,” Boyd said. He’s proud of the presence RCAPS has in the community – and beyond = and of the efforts to raise awareness of reducing the unwanted pet population. Thanks to social media, RCAPS has received donations from all 50 states in the U.S. and from 13 foreign countries.

RCAPS is not only working to change the lives of animals, but it also is promoting the power of positivity in the community, he said. “That’s the mission and the movement,” he said. “And that’s what we want Saturday to be about. – we’re doing our part to make this a better place.”

 

CLICK PLAY!

 

TownTalk: Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society Pays Tribute To Ricky Overby

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Most Friday evenings for almost a decade, Ricky Overby would climb into the Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society van, put it in Drive and head out of town on a freedom ride. The thousands of dogs and cats that left Vance County for rescue and adoption groups up and down the East Coast owe their lives – literally – to Captain Ricky.

Overby died Tuesday after a short battle with cancer. But Brandon Boyd, RCAPS President, holds Overby up as an example as someone who selflessly gave of his time to further the RCAPS mission of saving animals.

Overby started out as a driver, Boyd told John C. Rose on Thursday’s Town Talk, but as the single van grew to a fleet of vans, Captain Ricky took on more responsibilities with RCAPS.

Boyd remembered his employee – and friend – as loyal and dependable. “He took pride in his work, in his job,” he said. “And he loved saving animals.”

He’d take off usually by 9 p.m. on Fridays, with dozens and dozens of dogs and cats loaded in the van. He’d make numerous stops along his way up the East Coast, his destination sometimes as far North as Albany, New York.

Sometimes, Boyd said, when he found himself awake in the wee hours of a Saturday morning, “I’d call the Captain.” The calls sometimes lasted five minutes; others lasted upwards of an hour, Boyd recalled.

His reputation for a loving, caring person grew as his transports continued – Boyd said it’s difficult to grasp just how widespread that reputation reached.

James Jackson, another local volunteer, stepped in when Capt. Ricky got sick. And Friday night, when Jackson settles in behind the wheel of the van loaded with 50 or 60 dogs and cats headed for New York, he and the other RCAPS volunteers will continue Capt. Ricky’s mission of doing God’s work of caring for animals.

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The Local Skinny! Ruin Creek Cruise-In Brings Classic Cars and Community Together

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For some folks “a car was made for one purpose, to get from one place to tha ‘nother.”

For others, something happens along the way.  You fall in love with the car, or the engine, or the story of getting from that one place to another or the people riding with you.  And, when that happens, the car becomes a classic.

Car enthusiasts from North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina and perhaps beyond will visit Henderson this weekend.  On Saturday, July 31 from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m., the second-ever Ruin Creek Cruise In will take place.

Admission is free for all.

Visit the car show that about 2,500 people showed up for in 2019.

It will take place across U.S. 158 Bypass from Charles Boyd Chevrolet Cadillac and is specifically at 284 US 158 Bypass if you’re putting it in your GPS.

The Ruin Creek Cruise In of Henderson is all about supporting the local Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society, according to Brandon Boyd.

Boyd and the society’s volunteers, organizers and supporters have a passion about “saving animals from right here in Henderson at the Vance County Animal Shelter.”  Boyd said, “Krissie Newman, her non-profit The Rescue Ranch, is sponsoring this event this year.  Krissie is going to be there…It’s just going to be a special, special weekend here in Henderson.  We invite everybody to come out.  It’s going to be local vendors from all across this area, food, drinks, live music, and a good time had by all.”

Click play for Brandon Boyd’s Interview on The Local Skinny!

Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society’s Animal “Ride To Freedom” Rides On

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The yearslong animal rescue “Ride To Freedom,” done weekly by Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society and Vance County Animal Services, continues tonight after a one-week covid disruption.

The plan that has rescued into the thousands of Vance County animals and gotten them to loving, safe homes continues this evening.  While the Vance County Animal Shelter remains closed to the public, and Chief Animal Control Officer Frankie Nobles continues to be unsure when it will reopen, arrangements for the Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society’s “Ride To Freedom” were confirmed earlier this week so the tradition can continue.

Brandon Boyd, president of Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society, said, “We would like to thank our very important partners Chief Frankie Nobles and (the) Vance County Animal Shelter for their support and effort which allows this to happen along with our many passionate and faithful supporters that give to support this deserving cause.”

The loading of the animals can typically be watched online live via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RCAPS.Henderson.

Covid Case Closes Vance County Animal Shelter To Public For A While

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The Vance County Animal Shelter is closed until further notice, according to a printed notice on the front door of the facility.

This is a covid-related situation.

Chief Animal Control Officer Frankie Nobles told WIZS, “We had a positive case, and we are taking all precautions to keep the public safe.”

Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen said, “As far as operations within our animal services department, we are still able to make emergency response calls with the staff that we have available – albeit a limited staff at the moment. Although the shelter is shut to the public this week internally we will be able to continue with feeding, cleaning and working with the animals, but due to staff shortages and to keep the public safe we have closed the shelter this week.”

The Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson, which normally loads up and transports shelter animals each Friday night, has indicated to WIZS that the normal two masked folks from the society are not being allowed inside the shelter this week.  To complete the adoption run anyway, and attempt to keep the adoption lines open to the northeast to places like New York and Pennsylvania, Ruin Creek Animal Protection is attempting to work with others, including Granville County.

Town Talk 12/23/19: Boyd Discusses Animal Society’s Doghouse Initiative

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Charles “Brandon” Boyd, president of the Boyd Foundation’s Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson NC (RCAPS), appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.

Boyd discussed RCAPS’s new “I’m In The Doghouse” initiative that began Friday, December 20. Giving a new meaning to the phrase “being in the doghouse,” Boyd said the society will donate fifty brand new doghouses to the citizens and animals of Henderson and Vance County.

WIZS’ John Charles Rose (left) and Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society’s Charles “Brandon” Boyd (right) discuss RCAPS’s “I’m in the Doghouse” initiative on Monday’s Town Talk.

RCAPS is inviting the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, Henderson Police Department, City and County Fire Departments, EMS providers and State Highway Patrol to take part in this opportunity.

The premise is simple: when a dog is encountered that does not have sufficient housing for the cold winter months, an officer or official can give that animal or the animal’s owner a brand new doghouse provided by RCAPS free of charge.

“It’s a way of getting the community involved,” Boyd said. “I’ve always said the goal of a non-profit is to do one thing: make things better for everyone else.”

Any officer or official that gives a doghouse away is asked to simply take a picture (selfie) with the animal or the owners, if possible, and share it on their social media outlets captioning each picture, “I’m In The Doghouse” and “tagging” Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson NC on Facebook and Instagram.

In addition to providing adequate shelter to our four-legged friends, this initiative allows local law enforcement to be recognized for the good deeds they perform, said Boyd. It also brings attention to RCAPS’s mission to promote, advocate and educate the community on the importance of responsible pet ownership.

Doghouses can be picked up at the RCAPS office located at 165 US 158 Bypass, Henderson, NC 27536, or an RCAPS volunteer will bring the doghouse to the officer or official as needed.

As additional doghouses are needed, they will be made available through January.

On behalf of RCAPS, Boyd thanked Vance County Chief of Animal Control Frankie Nobles and staff for their hard work and dedication and invited the public to visit the “state-of-the-art” Vance County Animal Shelter located at 1243 Brodie Road in Henderson.

The shelter’s hours of operation are Mondays from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The shelter is closed on Fridays and Sundays.

Please visit Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson, NC’s Facebook page for additional information.

To hear the interview with Boyd in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Boyd Foundation’s Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society to Donate 50 Doghouses

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, The Boyd Foundation Inc.’s Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson NC

The Boyd Foundation Inc.’s, Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson NC would like to donate fifty brand new doghouses to the citizens and animals of the City of Henderson, NC and Vance County.

We would like to ask for all Vance County Sheriff’s Officers, Henderson Police Department Officers, City and County Fire and EMS and State Highway Patrol Officers to take part in this opportunity to give back to our City and County in a way like never before.

We would like to offer these new doghouses to all Law Enforcement Officers, Emergency Service Providers, Elected Officials and personnel. When they see a dog that does not have adequate or sufficient housing that provides the animal proper shelter needed for the cold weather and winter months ahead, the officer or official can give that animal or the animal’s owner a brand new doghouse provided by Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson NC.

Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson NC is labeling this special initiative, “I’m In The Dog House,” and we would like to encourage any officer or official that gives a doghouse away to simply take a picture (selfie) with the animal or the owners (if the situation and circumstance allows) and share it on their social media outlets captioning each picture, “I’m In The Dog House” and ‘tagging’ Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson NC on Facebook and Instagram.

This also allows our local Law Enforcement to be recognized and seen for the amazing job and tasks they perform each and every day that so often go unnoticed. This will also bring local attention to the cause and work of Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson NC who promotes and advocates the importance of responsible pet and animal ownership and educates people on the importance of properly caring for animals.

These doghouses can be picked up at the Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson NC office located at 165 US 158 Bypass, Henderson, NC 27536 or an RCAPS volunteer will bring the dog house to the officer or official as needed. This will begin Friday, December 20, 2019.

As additional dog houses are needed, they will be made available through the month of January.

Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson NC would like to also thank our Animal Control Officer, Chief Frankie Nobles, and his wonderful officers and staff for their hard work and dedication to seeing the lives and circumstances of animals in Henderson, NC and Vance County changed for the better.

We look forward to this special effort along with the positive impact it will make on the people and animals of our city and county.

Sincerely,

Charles ‘Brandon’ Boyd
President,
The Boyd Foundation Inc.’s, Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson NC

‘LIKE’ Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson NC on Facebook
Instagram: RCAPS_HendersonNC

Local Protection Society’s Work Reduces Number of Euthanized Shelter Animals

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Alan Hedgepeth and Michelle Wood, volunteers with the Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society (RCAPS), were the guests of honor on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program. RCAPS is a group of volunteers dedicated to finding homes for animals at the Vance County Animal Shelter located on Brodie Rd. in Henderson.

“We started with seven or eight volunteers and, over time, have developed procedures to work with rescue groups in the Northeast,” said Hedgepeth.

According to Hedgepeth, the volunteers spend the majority of their time searching for no-kill rescue groups who will commit to providing a temporary or “foster” home for the animals at the shelter. “We find rescue groups during the week, and each Friday night a transport is arranged so the animals can go to the approved rescue groups up north.”

From there, rescue groups place the animals in “pre-approved and pre-screened” foster homes where they will stay until they are adopted.

When asked why so many of the rescue groups were located up north, Hedgepeth replied, “In the Northeast, they have spay and neuter laws, and those laws are enforced. They don’t have the overpopulation of dogs like we do here in the South.”

One way RCAPS reaches out to the rescue groups is via social media. Photos of each animal in the shelter are posted, along with personal bios and videos, to Facebook for viewing.

“It is a very cumbersome and expensive process,” said Hedgepeth. “Michelle does a lot of the work and has her hands full.”

According to Hedgepeth, weekly transport can cost over $1,000 a week. “That’s why fundraising is so important for us; it costs a lot of money to do what we do.”

Wood reported that 195 animals were transported from the Vance County Animal Shelter to rescue groups in the month of October alone. Hedgepeth said the overall totals are even more astounding with an estimated 16,000 to 20,000 animals placed in foster homes since the group started in 2011.

The group’s hard work, coupled with policies put in place by Chief Frankie Nobles and the Vance County Animal Shelter, has paid off, said Hedgepeth. “When we first started at Ruin Creek, the intake at the shelter was around 4,500 animals a year. Last year, I believe it was around 2,200.”

Hedgepeth was also happy to report that the number of animals euthanized by the shelter has significantly decreased from previous years. “The majority of euthanized animals, at this point, are feral cats; the dog rate is extremely low.”

Wood clarified that the majority of the dogs that are euthanized are not picked up by a rescue group or are injured beyond vet care.

In addition to costs related to transport, RCAPS also has the expense of providing medical care to animals in need. “RCAPS tries to provide medical care for any animal that we reasonably believe can be saved,” said Hedgepeth. “The shelter, often times, doesn’t have the capacity or funds to offer this care and that’s when we step in.”

When asked what his ultimate wish would be for the group, Hedgepeth responded, “Additional funds. I can’t say it enough! The work we do is expensive, and fundraising is essential to keep the group going.”

To listen to the interview in its entirety, please click here.