Submitted Photo Keith Benning, Rolla, is heading up a fund drive to build an animal shelter for Turtle Mountain Animal Rescue. TMAR has been operating out of Benning’s garage for five years.

A fund drive is underway in the Rolla area to construct a new animal shelter. A recent push using social media resulted in a $35,000 boost in support for Turtle Mountain Animal Rescue. TMAR is currently being operated out of the garage of Keith Benning.

Benning, a Rolette County deputy sheriff, says the goal is to build a new shelter that will benefit the animals and create jobs. The non-profit organization is the only animal shelter in the region. According to the website www.turtlemountainanimalrescue.org, Benning’s garage-based rescue operation has “saved the lives of nearly 5,000 animals in just five years.”

TMAR relies entirely on donations to operate. In the past year animal adoptions through TMAR has averaged 50 per month. A new facility, promotes the website, would provide a safe and warm place for animals and allow volunteers to come together for a common goal of rescuing animals and finding them new homes. A spay and neuter program and a vaccination clinic is listed as additional potential aspects for TMAR.

Anyone wishing to donate to TMAR may do so through their website or by contacting them via Facebook.