Mercedes Benz donates electric van to Furkids, restores crucial animal transport

Mercedes Benz donates an electric Sprinter van to Furkids Animal Rescue in a handover today, replacing the shelter transport that was lost in a devastating crash earlier this month. The new vehicle arrives as Furkids works to rebuild its capacity to move animals to veterinary clinics, intake locations and adoption events across Forsyth County.

Loss of reliable transport had immediate operational impacts for the nonprofit and the community it serves. Furkids relies on scheduled trips to receive surrendered and stray animals, to bring sick or injured animals to emergency and specialty care, and to shuttle animals to adoption events that place pets into homes. Without dependable transportation, staff and volunteers were forced to stretch limited resources, delaying care and complicating intake protocols.

Restoring transport capacity has public health implications beyond animal welfare. Timely veterinary care reduces the spread of infectious diseases among animal populations, lowers the chance of zoonotic transmission to people and helps control outbreaks of parasites and other conditions. For low income residents who depend on the shelter for affordable rehoming and support, the van eases access to services that are often scarce in under resourced neighborhoods.

The donation highlights the role of corporate partnerships in sustaining nonprofit services, while also underscoring gaps in long term public investment. Local shelters often operate under tight budgets that limit their ability to replace critical equipment after accidents or emergencies. A reliable vehicle can determine whether a shelter can maintain intake levels, fulfill foster and adoption commitments, and meet veterinary needs without diverting funds from basic care.

Furkids will use the electric Sprinter van for medical transports, intake runs and adoption outreach, enabling the organization to recover lost ground and expand its reach. Staff and volunteers say the vehicle will reduce logistical hurdles and help stabilize daily operations. As the county continues to rely on shelters for animal welfare and public health, the donation offers immediate relief and renews attention on the need for sustainable funding and infrastructure to support community health and equitable access to animal services.