This Christmas could have been the last for Cherie and Larry Kacmarcik.

The Witter couple, founders of Blue Moon Cat Shelter, were lucky survivors of a head-on collision on Dec. 26 in south Fayetteville, but the accident has temporarily crippled the shelter’s operations.

Their car, a 2005 all-wheel drive Mitsubishi Endeavor, was totaled. Though the couple and the five cats being transported walked away without serious injuries, and although they were not at fault, the impact of the accident will be felt monetarily.

“We’re going to come out on the financial short end,” said Larry Kacmarcik. “It’s going to put a stop to us going to adoption events at Petco for a while.”

The Kacmarciks were returning from a successful day-after-Christmas adoption event at the Fayetteville Petco when their car was struck head on while stopped at an intersection. “We didn’t even see this coming,” said Kacmarcik. “All of a sudden it was busting metal, and the airbags deployed.”

The couple is feeling the effects of the violent accident. “We walked away with a lot of sore pains and the stuff that happens when the airbags go off in your face,” he said.

“It’s lots of black-and blue-bruises.”

The shelter operates through donations and private contributions from citizens in Northwest Arkansas. “The fact that we can do this at all is a praise to the people in Arkansas,” said Kacmarcik. “It doesn’t take a lot of money to put down a cat, but it takes a lot to feed one, house one and love one.”

Blue Moon Cat Shelter is the only area shelter which provides pickup and delivery of shelter cats, a key service allowing the organization to transfer a high volume of pets, leading to more adoptions. “We advertise pick up and delivery,” he said.

But Blue Moon Cat Shelter is not the only shelter in dire need of help from the community.

Boxer Rescue of Northwest Arkansas is looking for foster homes to expand the shelter. Flea/ tick control, bags of sweet potatoes, extra-large dog crates and igloo houses and donations toward vet bills are still needed. Call (479) 601-1316 or email [email protected] .

Old Man’s Riverfront Rescue is still asking for laundry detergent, collars and leashes, outdoor kennels, rawhides, flea/tick treatments, senior dog food and unwanted gift cards.

Call (479) 713-9610 or email [email protected] .

For Pet’s Sake requests vouchers for spays and neuters from Lyon Veterinary Hospital in Springdale and a micro-chip scanner to identify dogs and return them to their owners. Call (479) 313-3785 or email [email protected].

Madison County Pet Shelter needs good quality dog and cat foods, large-bottom weighted metal feeders for dogs, Odo Ban cleaner and dog treats, toys and chewies. The shelter also recycles used cell phones, MP3 players, iPods and very small electronics. Call (479) 738-1505 or email [email protected] .

Pug Rescue of Northwest Arkansas is in dire need of medicated eye drops, foster homes, flea/ tick medication and monetary donations. Pug Rescue operates solely on donations and assistance from the community. Call (479) 601-3112 or email [email protected].

Good Shepherd Humane Society in Eureka Springs is still requesting three new large outdoor dog kennels, a Shark steamer and money to repair outdoor dog runs. Call (479) 253-9188 or email [email protected].

Spay Arkansas needs Tomlyn Trifectant disinfectant powder, Tomahawk cat handling gloves, a Ketch-All animal restraining pole, a Waterpik hand-held shower head and a paper shredder.

Call (479) 756-1100 or email [email protected].

Fabulous Felines of Northwest Arkansas is asking for pet carriers, de-wormer for cats, grain free dry cat food, ink cartridges for HP 78 color and HP 45 black and topical flea treatment. Call (479) 633-7521 or email fabulous [email protected].

AT A GLANCE How to Help

Who: Blue Moon Cat Shelter

Where: 10502 Hwy. 23 in Witter.

Information: valleyofthebluemoon.net or find it on Facebook

Contact: Cherie and Larry Kacmarcik at (479) 667-3021

AT A GLANCE

Nonprofits still in need

Two other nonprofits requiring assistance in Northwest Arkansas are Horses for Healing and Children’s Advocacy Center of Benton County.

Horses for Healing needs a loafing shed for horses and a professional strength weed eater and chain saw. The organization provides therapeutic riding programs for physically, emotionally and/or mentally challenged children and adults of Northwest Arkansas. Call (479) 795-0570 or email [email protected].

Children’s Advocacy Center is requesting gas cards, games and toys for waiting areas, household items such as paper plates, utensils and trash bags, diapers, paper products, art supplies and office supplies.

Call (479) 621-0385 or email [email protected].

Other local nonprofits also remain in need as the new year begins.

EOA Children’s House - (479) 927-1232, [email protected]

Elizabeth Richardson Center - (479) 872-1800 x209, [email protected]

NWA First Tee - (479) 936-4495, [email protected]

NWA Women’s Shelter - (479) 246-9999, [email protected]

Restoration Village - (479) 631-7345, [email protected]

Cooperative Emergency Outreach - (479) 444-7500, [email protected]

Literacy Council of NWA - (479) 273-3486, [email protected]

Bella Vista Animal Shelter - (479) 855-6020, [email protected].

Community Creative Center - (479) 571-2706, [email protected]

Boxes for Veterans - (479) 855-1731, [email protected]

Style, Pages 21 on 01/02/2014