BATON ROUGE — The Animal Protection and Welfare Society, a rescue in Baton Rouge, announced on Monday that it would be closing it's doors at the end of the year.

President and Director Rebeckah Rutherford told WBRZ that the rescue is closing due to a lack of funding, a shortage of foster homes and a significant decrease in adoptions. 

"together, those things have made it impossible for us to continue, despite how hard we have fought to stay open."

The rescue primarily takes heartworm positive dogs, medical and behavioral cases and other animals that are not considered "easy" to adopt.

The animals in their care often need extensive veterinary care, treatment, rehabilitation and training before they are ready for a home. As those things take time every additional month brings ongoing expenses for food, medication, prevention and housing Rutherford said. 

Without enough foster homes, the rescue cannot make room for another animal in need. 

For months the organization has been asking for donations, fosters, volunteers and help sharing the animals. 

"We have tried to make it clear how serious the situation was long before we reached this point," Rutherford said. "We are deeply grateful to the people who have supported us, but that support has not been enough to sustain the rescue."

Rutherford has been personally covering APAW's expenses out of her own pocket for more than six months. When she originally took over the rescue it had just $17 in the bank with more than $16,000 in outstanding obligations. 

"We worked so hard to rebuild it into a place where animals with nowhere else to go could have a chance. Knowing we may no longer be able to offer that chance is heartbreaking, especially when the requests for help continue every day."

While the rescue is no longer accepting new animals they will continue to try and adopt out the animals currently in their care.

"My greatest heartbreak is knowing there are animals who will need us, and we will no longer be able to say yes."

The rescue will close its doors on Dec. 31.