LAWRENCEBURG, TN – Friends of Lawrence County Animals (FOLCA) is proud to celebrate its fifth anniversary as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, marking five years of dedication to improving the lives of our animals in Lawrence County. As the fundraising arm of The Doggie House, which serves both Lawrenceburg and Lawrence County, FOLCA also provides lifesaving spay/neuter initiatives through its innovative program, Lawrence County SNIPS! Since its founding, FOLCA has transformed from a grassroots effort focused on building the new shelter into a key community partner, working alongside local governments, partners throughout Middle Tennessee, and passionate volunteers who provide support to our local shelter, community educational efforts and its local spay/neuter program.
“This milestone represents five years of compassion in action,” said FOLCA President Rosalind O’Steen Fort. “Our volunteers, supporters, and community leaders have made it possible to create real change—and we’re just getting started.”
Highlights from the past five years include:
- Raising over $350,000. for The Doggie House, which serves both the City of Lawrenceburg and Lawrence County.
- Hosting the inaugural ’Evening with Friends at Soulshine Farm’, which raised over $27,000 for shelter play yards.
- Purchasing Commercial Dishwasher and providing thousands of dollars in supplemental funding to buy essential items not included in the shelter’s budget.
- Spaying and neutering 1266 dogs and cats to-date through The Lawrence County SNIPS! program (Spay/Neuter Is a Positive Solution), preventing the births of thousands of unwanted animals.
- Expanding key partnerships with local and regional agencies, veterinary clinics, and civic leaders.
- Launching an educational campaign about responsible pet ownership in Lawrence County Elementary Schools.
- Hosting the “Lawrence County Animal Hour” with WLX-WDXE, a weekly broadcast averaging 1,500–3,500 viewers to inform both viewers and listeners about animal issues and feature shelter pets.
- Supporting shelter adoptions and transports, with 109 dogs adopted in 2024 and 81 adopted, transported or fostered year-to-date.
- Purchased Lawrence County’s first community microchip reader to help lost pets get home faster — without needing to involve the shelter, vets or law enforcement.
Looking ahead, FOLCA plans to increase the number of low-cost clinics through its spay/neuter program, grow its educational outreach, organize a specialized task force to address the county’s feline overpopulation and raise money to fund a much-needed intake/quarantine
building for the shelter.
“We’re grateful for the strong support of Lawrence County, our partners and everyone who believes in our mission,” said Past President, Leigh Ann Pettus. “Together, we’re building a safer, healthier community—for our friends, our families and our animals.”
Our Officers and Board Members:
Rosalind O’Steen Fort – President, Erin Sisk – Vice President, Kathy Mott – Secretary, Beth Keaton – Treasurer, Leigh Ann Pettus – Past President. Board Members: Tiffany Cope, Sherry West, Barry Roberts, Ginger Sharp, Jody Plant, Teresa Purcell, Taela Jeffries, J.P. Plant, Brenda Potts, Emily Gilliam (Director Emerita).
To volunteer and make a difference, contact Tracy Piovarcy at folcavolunteer@gmail.com.
For more information, please contact:
Leigh Ann Pettus
Past President, FOLCA
615.714.1570
About FOLCA
Founded in 2020, Friends of Lawrence County Animals is a nonprofit volunteer organization committed to supporting the Lawrence County Animal Shelter, promoting responsible pet ownership, and providing access to low-cost spay/neuter services through the SNIPS! program.