The Animal Welfare Alliance of Rutherford (AWAR) was created to address and advance animal welfare policies in Rutherford County, North Carolina. Our goal is to work cooperatively with local, regional and state lawmakers to create and enforce a zero-tolerance stance toward animal neglect, cruelty and other animal related crimes.  We aim to do this by developing a collaborative partnership between citizens, animal control, law enforcement, local government and local rescue organizations to provide ongoing advocacy, education, oversight and accountability for animal crime and animal welfare issues in our county and surrounding areas.