Rescue Spotlight

If you have a desire to help, but no outlet to work through, you might feel a little helpless, but not if you have At Risk Intervention. BestBullySticks.com talked to Founder Cyn Mobley about how the organization was started and the astonishing impact they’re making all around the Mid-South and the nation. With a revolutionary outlook and mission and a ton of hardwork, At Risk Intervention is truly making a difference.

When & Why did you start?
At Risk Intervention, or ARI, was started in 2004 as a vehicle for supporting people who wanted to do good things in the world but didn't want the hassle of starting a charitable organization. We provide infrastructure and support and 501(c)3 partnerships for rescuers, child advocacy programs and just about anything that involves kids or animals. As our program grew, we sought out opportunities to be a force multiplier for other groups. We did a community survey and found that the one thing that rescues said they needed most was money. A bit more investigating and we found that the two major expenses were vet bills and kenneling.

We started by negotiating some great discount packages for rescues at a few vets. Then we built the Waystation.  We also hold seminars on ways to save money and help rescue groups work through legal issues, complete 501(c)3 paperwork (we have an online audio course and plenty of examples) and a host of other things that help existing groups work more effectively. Like I said: force multiplier. Much of the concept and practices are born from my time in the Navy and my experiences at the Naval War College. I know how important logistics and support are in any war, and that's what rescue is—a war to preserve life rather than destroy it. Read more

BestBullySticks.com knows of many rescues that go above and beyond the call of rescuing dogs from dire circumstances. However, there are no rescues quite like Puppy Rescue Mission. Not only does this organization take dogs out of rough circumstances, but out of war zones no less. And then this amazing rescue places these dogs with the American soldiers who adopted them while overseas. These special dogs love their soldiers and their soldiers love them in a symbiotic rescue relationship. PRM simply facilitates this process through their resources and capabilites, making many soldiers and dogs very happy. BBS had the opportunity to talk with Starla Trivilino from PRM’s Board of Directors.

When & Why did you start?
We started rescueing dogs from Afghanistan when Anna Cannan's fiance was serving there.  The dogs attacked a suicide bomber trying to enter the barracks and the bomb detonated early before he could enter the barracks.  The dogs became very special to this unit as 57 soldiers were safe because of the dogs. Her fiance then took special care of many dogs on the Forward Operating Base and they became his battle buddies and his companions. He did not want to leave them behind so Anna started fundraising to bring 7 of the dogs to the USA.  That was the beginning of The Puppy Rescue Mission. 

What's different about your rescue?  
It is Missions of Love to assist our military men and women serving in war zones. The donors to all the rescues have such huge hearts and love for our service members. It is the way for all of us to pay back for their sacrifice.

What is the greatest success story or "win" that your rescue has had?
Every one of the rescues are Miracles.  It is very hard to get the animals out of war zones and some take the assistance of contractors and other military personnel serving in the war zones.  We are always amazed at how these "special angels" will appear to assist the soldiers and their battle buddies. Scarface and Chloe may have been the most difficult to date.

Chloe's Story
Scarface's Story

Both Chloe & Scarface are safe at home in the U.S. with their soldiers!

To read more success stories of PRM, visit their rescue stories album on Facebook. 

What's the most rewarding thing about working at your rescue?
Seeing how generous and kind so many people are and the strength and big hearts of our military men and women. 

What can people do to help your rescue?
Spread the word and donate those dollars.  One dollar goes a long way if we work together as a Team to accomplish these Missions.

We truly thank Puppy Rescue Mission for all the hard work they do in simultaneously making the lives of American soldiers and homeless dogs better. 

A small group of dedicated, hardworking, passionate people can make a difference in a big world. One small group of people in Lyndonville, Vermont is changing the lives of Pugs in several states around the United States—Green Mountain Pug Rescue. BestBullySticks.com had the opportunity to speak with Karen Powers about how the rescue began, it’s 11 year history and how you can help Green Mountain Pugs. 

When & Why did you start? 
I started GMPR in early 2001.  I had been volunteering for a new England based pug rescue and thought it would be nice to have a group for pug meet ups and education on the breed.  At my first gathering it was obvious we were starting a rescue, too.

What's different about your rescue? 
This is a hard question, as all rescues work so hard to save lives.  We are a small group of Board Members making decisions in Vermont.  But we take in pugs from puppy mills as far away as Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas and as south as Georgia.  We do whatever vetting needed.  We do surgeries on the pugs as needed too- most rescues just don't have the capabilities to do this.

What is the greatest success story or "win" that your rescue has had? 
There have been so many pugs we brought in with heartworm that got better through treatment here to be adopted out and adored and spoiled by their new homes. Or one senior pug that got ran over by a car, brought into vets to be put down as the family could not afford the vet bill.  The vet called us up and we took custody of him and did a lot of work on him - costing $4,000.00 by the time it was done. Miraculously, while he had tire tracks on his side- there was no broken bones or internal injuries.  Just his mouth was a mess.    He lost his lower jaw in the process but could still eat fine with his special diet of soft foods in meatball size.  Big John, as he was called, went on to live several years loved and adored adopted by a very special friend to GMPR.  His will to live was simply amazing and donations came in to help cover some of his costs.  Sadly we lost him this year, but his memory lives on in our hearts!

What's the most rewarding thing about working at your rescue? 
Our pug social that we host yearly, seeing the puppy mill survivors not scared and cowering but flourishing and happy; tails just a wagging!  And seeing adoptions happen with one of your special fosters, when you thought it would be with you forever!  There are many days like this!  This helps us get through the worst when we get in so many puppy millers that are a mess medically and emotionally so bruised.

What can people do to help your rescue?
If you live in NH, VT or around Albany NY area, we definitely need fosters to continue our mission.  Volunteering at events, helping transport pugs when needed, make crafts to sell at our silent auctions, definitely need graphic artists help, too!

Congratulations to Green Mountain Pug Rescue on winning 2^nd place in BBS’s recent “Every Dog Has Its Day” Charity Photo Contest. The money they won will be going to help pay vet bills for the 9 Arkansas pugs rescued on 8/24/12. One of these pugs, Angel, is pictured to the right. These pugs had severe flea dermatitis, infections, ear and eye issues. One of the pugs is losing both eyes.

If you’d like to find out more on Green Mountain Pug Rescue, visit their website or Facebook. 

Large hearts sometimes come in big packages. That’s what we at BestBullySticks.com know for a fact, especially in the case of North Mississippi Great Dane Rescue. We have the honor of highlighting this great rescue for the second time this year and we’re truly amazed at NMSGDR. They aren’t a big rescue. They don’t have endless resources. But just as the gentle giants they rescue, NMSGDR has big hearts and a willingness to love unconditionally. They get the job done. Here is their story. 

When & Why did you start?
While our official start is April of 2010, we began our operations in 2009 due to a need in the community for help saving Great Danes in need.  A couple of ladies who would become our future officers, Trista, spent 2009 helping out a few Dane families in need, fostering their Danes short term or fostering Danes found by the local shelter until they could be reunited with their families.  In early 2010, one of those ladies received a call regarding a puppymill raid in rural Tennessee, and many of the Danes were being housed across the Mississippi River in West Memphis, Arkansas.  Those same ladies stepped up to help without batting an eye, and it was at this time that they decided to commit to starting a rescue in the North Mississippi/Memphis area.  Since April of 2010, NMSGDR has been in official operation, growing every day in volunteers, friends, and happily ever after stories!

What's different about your rescue?
We love the efforts of all rescues, particularly the Dane-specific ones, and respect our fellow rescues, as this is not an easy work or way of life.  We do pride ourselves on being special needs friendly, though!  We cannot turn down a white Dane no matter what space (or lack thereof) we have.  For those who may not know, Danes who are mostly white, are generally born blind, deaf, or both.  This is usually done through the breeding of Harlequin to Harlequin or Merle to Merle breeding, which could easily be avoided.  Many of these special needs babies find themselves in homes that do not understand them, as many of them are given away or sold at a cut rate, unfortunately, often not bringing the best families.  Many are beaten, neglected, or dumped prior to coming to rescue. We love love LOVE matching deaf Danes with amazing families and watching these once broken and misunderstood babies blossom and thrive.  Since our official inception in 2010, we have placed at least 7 Deaf Danes with amazing families!  That’s about 8% of all of our adoptions!    Read more

If your dog is your baby then you understand the love and care put into raising a well-adjusted and happy dog. But what if your dog didn’t have you, then who would care for your baby? One rescue in Evansville, Indiana proves that sometimes it does “Take A Village” to raise a dog and bring them closer to their forever homes.

BestBullySticks.com spotlights It Takes A Village Canine Rescue, the winner of our most recent 1-Day Animal Shelter/Rescue Giveaway, and a rescue that runs the only no-kill shelter in their area. We talked with It Takes A Village’s Kelly Miller to learn more about this wonderful rescue.

When & Why did you start?
We started about 2 years ago to fill a need for rescue in our area. The numbers were astounding and we wanted to help cut down the drastic amount of euthanized animals.

What's different about your rescue?
For our city, we are the first and only no kill rescue, so our grand opening was a fairly historic event! We also operate a Thrift Shop out of the front of our rescue to serve as a fundraiser, which is a different concept for our area. Read more