Tamara Hill and her partner, Dani, were evicted from their apartment in May in Virginia Beach. They were relying on a tax return that they never received to help pay their rent. The two work at minimum wage jobs and, when they did not receive the anticipated tax return, found themselves homeless. Also homeless were their four dogs: three pit bulls and a basset hound.
“Dani and I were staying in a hotel room,” Tamara said. “It was very hot outside and we had the dogs in a U-Haul truck for nine days. My boss referred me to a veterinarian and their office gave me the number for ART.”
ART came out to make sure the dogs were OK. They took the dogs to the SPCA for shots and got them leashes. ART also paid for the U-Haul truck.
“I was terrified that I would be going to jail for not paying for the U-Haul truck,” Tamara said. “I couldn’t afford it, but I needed a place to keep the dogs. ART stepped in and helped take care of that for me.”
In addition to paying for the truck, ART also provided Tamara and Dani with toll and gas money, along with dog supplies, to help them all get back to Michigan, where Dani’s parents have a home in Flint.
ART also assisted the couple with getting transportation, a 1986 Volvo station wagon.
“We no longer have to rely on public transportation,” Tamara said. “That helps when it comes to finding a better job.
“The situation is better now,” Tamara continued. “Dani and I are still looking for a house but, because of ART, we were able to get the dogs up north to Dani’s family and they are able to look after them while we try to get back on our feet down here.
“Our dogs are our family and we just couldn’t leave them behind and abandon them at a shelter. We are so grateful for everything that ART has done to help us keep our dogs within our family while we try to repair our lives.”