By Megan Miller, Editor
TRUSSVILLE – A local with a heart for rescue animals will be hosting a fundraiser on Dec. 18.
There will be more than 25 trees and three villages, and donations will be taken at the door for Must Love Paws, an animal rescue founded by a Trussville resident and based locally.
“We wanted to open our home this year to help the four legged fury babies get the help and care they need,” homeowner Beverly Cross said. ”We have seven rescue dogs ourselves.”
Teresa Andrews, founder of Must Love Paws, has been rescuing animals since the April 27, 2011 tornadoes.
“That was the first time I’d ever even been on Facebook, and I saw all the devastation of families and dogs displaced, and it just hurt my heart,” Andrews said.
Andrews fostered her first dog after the tornado and ended up adopting him.
“I felt compelled to help, that God was leading me to do what I do and I just haven’t stopped,” Andrews said. “Just by word of mouth it’s grown and grown and now I help dogs all the way up to Marshall County and all the way out to Helena and Alabaster.”
Cross said she and her family have participated in the Trussville home tour for several years, but since there wasn’t a home tour planned for this year, she still wanted to open her home for locals to come enjoy some holiday cheer.
“We put up our first Christmas tree Halloween night,” Cross said. “We just love Christmas and always have.”
Cross said when she’s participated in the home tour during previous years, people have even posed in front of her trees for their family Christmas cards. Some of her theme trees include The Grinch, It’s a Wonderful Life, Christmas Vacation and more.
Cross has helped with Must Love Paws transporting animals over state lines for adoption or fostering them in her home, and wanted to support a cause she believed in and also one that was locally based.
“We’re trying to get the word out about the rescue because it’s new and it’s local,” Cross said.
Andrews recently applied for her 501c3 status, which will provide her with many of the resources she is in desperate need of to continue helping animals. Up until now, she’s paid for many of the expenses she’s incurred out of pocket or she’s had to raise funds, especially when animals come to her hurt.
“Once I get my 501c3 status I’ll have the opportunity for a lot of assistance with not only tax write offs but with vets, shelters and businesses that want to offer their support to the rescue,” Andrews said.
Guests are welcome to drop by the Cross home at 3404 Barkwood Cove between 1 and 8 p.m. on Dec. 18. Any donations will be accepted at the door.