News 12 at 6:00, May 9, 2007

North Augusta, SC --- Molly's Militia. Their mission, to rescue dogs and cats from area animal shelters.

"We just try and save as many as we can," Elaine van der Linden said.

They are caring for 75 animals right now. Elaine van der Linden is head of Molly's Militia. She said it is usually a challenge to match these animals with loving families. But with the economy being where it is and with high food and gas prices, it's trickling down to Molly's Militia.

"When the economy gets bad, you could see a lot more animals going to shelters. Which I don't believe is any excuse because if your incomes bad or whatever. You don't throw away your kids and you shouldn't throw away your pets," Van der Linden said.

It is a bad equation. More animals going to shelters plus adoptions and donations down equals a big need for foster homes. Elaine has eight dogs and two cats of her own. And she also takes care of two foster dogs.

"If you got 15 foster homes you can only put so many animals in that many homes and after that you can't take them after that. And it's very hard, it's depressing," Van der Linden said

She said these tough times haven't changed one thing: the animal population. It keeps growing, another challenge facing places like Molly Militia during these economic times.

If you're interested in adopting a pet, there's an adopt-a-thon at the Petsmart in Augusta and in Aiken, every Saturday from 10:00 to 3 pm.