Tag: Dog Rescue Stories

Running a rescue takes a lot of dedication and organization to boot, but that key factor to many rescues is networking. If any organization is serious about saving animal lives, they’ll tell you that you have to constantly be meeting people and finding the really dependable ones. That’s what one rescue depends on and has built itself into a national, all-volunteer, breed-specific organization. It’s all started with a little Cairn Terrier named Colonel Potter. Read his story and more about the organization he inspired in the BestBullySticks Rescue Spotlight on the Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network.

When & Why did you start?

Col. Potter began as the result of ONE little Cairn boy (named Col. Potter) who was tragically killed. As donations in his honor began to come in from Cairn club members  – so many wanted to help – the process began so that the organization was formed and became a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) in October 2001. Since that time, over 3,500 Cairns or mostly Cairn mixes have been rescued and brought into CPCRN (Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network). Many of the dogs that we have helped have been what is considered to be "non-regular" Cairn rescues—those from puppy mills (the breeding dogs) and those who are purchased at auction. We also handle those with some health issues and the elderly. Several have had Heartworm and were treated for this. Some have had some behavioral issues, and are now great little pals in private homes.

What's different about your rescue?

Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network is truly a network of volunteers. We have 600+ members and 200+ active volunteers. We do not have a facility. We were the first non-shelter, all volunteer national online rescue group working across the U.S. and Canada. Our volunteers donate their time, homes, hearts, and money so that CPCRN can be the great organization it is. We are the largest single breed rescue and do not receive any corporate funding. All volunteers, including our Board of Directors and Officers, are unpaid. We have teams for all aspects of the rescue and adoption process: Communications; Home Visit; Foster Home; Match Maker (yes, that is right – matching the right home for the right Cairn); Contracts; Transport; Promotion/Fundraising; Medical; and the first stop for a rescue Cairn, the Intakes Team. Read more

haven |ˈhāvən|, noun: a place of safety or refuge : a haven for wildlife.

Masthaven Mastiff Sanctuary believes that safety for their favorite giant breed dogs is a personal dedication that requires your full self. That’s why this rescue began--to give refuge and solace the full dog; their mind, body and soul and the people of Masthaven Mastiff Sanctuary commit themselves likewise. Read more about this Indiana rescue in BestBullySticks Rescue Spotlight on Masthaven Mastiff Sanctuary. 

When & Why did you start?
We have worked in rescue in one way or another for a very long time. We officially created our own Non-Profit Mastiff Sanctuary in Jan 2011 when we were searching for a fawn Mastiff to adopt. I had subscribed to many rescues and shelter feeds and made many great contacts. But we were flooded daily by neglected and abused Mastiffs and realized there was no centrally located rescue in our area for these Gentle Giants and as most people in our area were looking for small dogs, the Giants waiting in shelters were very hard to place and there was no where for them to go. As we continued to get notifications, we soon began coving our entire Tri-State of Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois and now network, rescue & place Mastiffs from Indiana and all surrounding states.

What's different about your rescue?
Our goals remain the same as any other rescue out there. Its all about saving innocent lives and finding wonderful loving homes for these big kids. People tell me that what makes us different is our personal bond and attachment to each one. We love them and mend their spirit and we stay involved for the rest of their lives. We have an open door policy that encourages new families to reach out for questions and assistance and we have been known to babysit when the family has to be out of town. We keep our numbers small enough so that we can give personalized attention to each unique Mastiff and we do not kennel here, so each one truly feels at home. It is always the Mastiff that sets the pace. They tell us when they are ready to adopt a forever family and we do not rush that. We are also very conscious of their sensitivity to change so we personally transport each of our babies and stay in that area to ensure their transition to the new home. Our last adoption took us to Louisiana which under normal circumstances would be too far, however when a Mastiff says that’s his or her perfect home, we listen. They haven’ t led us wrong yet!  Read more

When you love a dog, you’ll do anything for them. Now add hundreds more dogs stretched over many states. Nothing changes does it? That’s what the wonderful folks at Adopt A Boxer Rescue have tapped into. Their volunteers have a great passion for rescuing Boxers; they love them and will do anything for them. Read BestBullySticks.com’s Rescue Spotlight on Adopt A Boxer Rescue below to hear of AABR successes, needs and see some amazing before and after photos.

When & Why did you start?
Boxer lovers Dawn Karam, Jamie Meadow, and Sandy Trehy founded Adopt a Boxer Rescue in November 2004 after working for many years with other rescues, in order to rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home unwanted and abandoned boxer dogs within the northeast United States. 

What's different about your rescue?
Adopt a Boxer Rescue is an all-volunteer rescue doing both hands-on rescue and education. Our volunteers and homes step up to help dogs no matter what medical issues or age. While AABR finds homes for many healthy, young dogs, we also are committed to being there for dogs like Rocky , Bobbi , Camacho, and the seniors who need someone to go the extra mile for them. Read more

BestBullySticks.com loves hearing a good dog rescue story and Rescuzilla out of NYC has a lot of good ones. We spoke to Katherine Good, one of the coordinators at this passionate animal rescue about the successes and needs of Rescuzilla.

When & Why did you start?  
Rescuzilla was founded in 2009 in the hopes of responsibly saving dogs and cats from being part of the millions of animals that are killed each year in the United States. After years of volunteering and caring for animals at the shelter we wanted to be able to make sure that animals we met got the chance to be wonderful family members. Starting a rescue was the next logical step in doing so.

What's different about your rescue? 
We are very much a grassroots and hand on rescue. As active volunteers at the Animal Care & Control of New York City and partners in their New Hope program, we are able to help animals from the beginning of their second life until their new forever home. Our program is small, with usually around 8 animals at a time, but every animal is in loving foster home and receives all the attention it needs whether it be medical or behavioral. 

What is the greatest success story or "win" that your rescue has had? 
This is a tough one! One of the few ways to measure it is by how far an animal has come since we first met him. One that always keeps us smiling is Benjamin Buttons. He was found with what we thought was a sweater that turned out to be a sweatpants leg that someone had fashioned into a shirt for him. A little, emaciated, chronically illsenior rat terrier.  He had to be saved but we knew it would take a one-of-a-kind family to see all his potential! He was fostered by an amazing family that embodies the definition of love. His mama fed him special meals, carried him all over the house in a pouch and let him sleep safely in bed, making sure he had his space right between her and her husband. It wasn't long before Benjamin started putting on weight and his ailments dissipated. The foster family saw how special he is and knew he was meant to be with them forever. He is like a whole new dog; truly a Benjamin (Belly) Buttons.   Read more

In Mississippi, one dog became the face of anti-animal cruelty and was a significant factor in getting bills passed in his state. And one animal organization stood behind him, Community Animal Rescue & Adoption in Jackson, Mississippi. This central Mississippi no-kill shelter and rescue is truly a force of change in their city and state. Read more about this rescue in the BestBullySticks.com Rescue Spotlight on Community Animal Rescue & Adoption. 

When & Why did you start?
CARA was started in 2001 by four animal lovers who kept running into each other rescuing dogs and cats in the Jackson, MS metro area. CARA has grown from a backyard operation to become Mississippi’s largest no-kill animal rescue organization. Since 2001, CARA has placed over 6000 animals into loving homes. CARA currently cares for 280 dogs, 130 cats, 4 guinea pigs and 2 rabbits.

CARA is a 501(c)3 non-profit, charitable, and educational corporation organized to rescue and provide care, shelter, food, and treatment for abused, unwanted, and stray animals in central Mississippi. The objectives of CARA are to rescue animals in need, restore them to health through nutrition and veterinary care, when necessary, and facilitate their adoption to qualified individuals. CARA works to reduce overpopulation of stray and unwanted animals by supporting spay/neuter programs (including a low cost spay/neuter program for low income and disadvantaged persons), by ensuring that all animals in its care are spayed or neutered prior to adoption, and by educating the public on responsible pet ownership.

What's different about your rescue?
The staff and the volunteers do so much with so little to make sure our animals receive exceptional care and unconditional love while they wait for their fur-ever homes. Read more