Tag: Dog Rescue

Since 2009, Pupz N Palz Rescue in Modesto, California has been searching for those dogs who no one else will take. They rehabilitate those dogs that have slim chances. They care for those dogs no one else will care for. Over tears, joyful or sorrowful, they are changing and rallying the community to better love their four-legged friends.

Pupz N Palz recently won a $500 Product Donation from Best Bully Sticks by participating in a 1-Day Animal Rescue / Shelter Giveaway. We congratulate this rescue not only on their winnings but their hard work and successes. We talked with Karri Husman about her love affair with rescued dogs. Find out more about Karri and Pupz N Palz below. 

When & Why did you start?

I first began rescuing as a very young girl and would drag home every stray dog or kitty off the streets who I assumed needed my help. Kids and animals have always been a passion of mine so when I saw an ad about 7 years ago to help foster animals I jumped at the chance. 

The very first dog I was given to foster was a severely emaciated, very sick and depressed, 3 month old Cattle Dog mix puppy that was filthy and was found in the back on her kennel at the shelter and had given up. They handed me this poor sweet, dirty, emaciated, very sad dog and I, at that point, had no clue what I was going to do with, but my love for animals prevailed. I was so excited to get my first foster dog that I hadn’t eaten anything all day. It was around 3 in the afternoon I guess and so I stopped and grabbed a couple drive through tacos on the way home. When I got the new foster pup home she wouldn’t even come out of her kennel, but she smelled the tacos. They had given me some special diet, bland food as they had just started to get her to eat a little and suggested I give her that to start. The smell of the food drew her out, and I looked into her sad eyes and figured, “you need it more than I” so I tossed her a taco and she devoured it like she hadn’t eaten in days so she got the other one too. From that point on we formed a bond and she started trusting me. I got her to eat regular puppy kibble and gave the rescue back their “blank diet.” They wanted to know how I got her to eat and I told them “a little love, and a small bribe” and that’s all it took. My first foster was such a success that I wanted to do more. I worked with several different rescue then about 3 years ago felt I had learned enough to start my own and formed Pupz N Palz Rescue. Read more

Best Bully Sticks loves holding 1-Day Animal Shelter/Rescue Giveaways each month because we get to give away BBS product to support rescue efforts all over the country. Even though it is rewarding to give to a shelter, we also love being able to learn more about shelters ourselves and then sharing their struggles, stories and triumphs with our readers. This week we we’re profiling Recycled Pets NorCal, a rescue based out of Sacremento.  Co-founder Elsie Lodde told BBS more about their young but successful rescue group. Reyclced Pets NorCal won BBS’s 1-Day Giveaway just two weeks ago.

When & Why did you start?

I have unofficially been rescuing dogs for years. I would always find stray animals and take them and get them vetted and find them homes. Then a couple years ago, a friend (who is in rescue and moved across country) needed help with a local case, and so I was whisked into the world of rescue.  I was working for a national organization that only rescued specific animals, and I felt the constraints too limiting (because to me an animal in need is worthy of help regardless of whether it is in a shelter, in someone's backyard, or dumped along the side of the road) and so this year I began Recycled Pets NorCal (a sister rescue to Recycled Pets SoCal).

What's different about your rescue?

Well, unlike many rescuers we think locally.  We only adopt out to local families and we try to only rescue locally (occasionally there is a special case that may draw me to drive 400 miles but it is rare).  I never transport animals as I provide on-going support to my adopters and I am unable to do that if they are far away.  I am responsible for the lifetime of the animal and I take that seriously. I would have to say, I probably also have one of the youngest groups of volunteers and fosters than most rescues (likely due to the fact that I am only in my mid-30s).  And since I provide everything, younger people (who often cannot afford to pay for food, treats, or other necessary items) can get more involved.

What is the greatest success story or "win" that your rescue has had?

I take on a lot of medical cases, so for me there are many.  Arnie (the emaciated and chained bulldog) won my heart enough to not leave, Tyson had severe demodex mange, I have had puppies with all sorts of issues like being starved to death, abandoned, with parvo and all sorts of things. And a case from the end of last year, Otis, was the hardest.  He was born with a condition called PRAA, where his heart and esophagus were all wrapped up together so he was unable to eat and ended up with a secondary condition called Mega Esophagus. I worked so hard to save him, but surgeries were not good enough for the sweet boy- I miss him a lot.   They all have a special place in my heart. I say we need to treat them (and place them) like they are our own animals, because they deserve that.

What's the most rewarding thing about working at your rescue?

Perhaps this should be asked to one of my volunteers.  For me, it is taking an unwanted animal, that has been discarded, and helping it to find the right home for it.  I just appreciate animals' abilities to forget the past and forgive and move on to love again, I think humans really should take note of their ability to leave their baggage behind. Plus, I have met some amazing people doing rescue who also like animals as much as I do.

What can people do to help your rescue?

Since we only adopt locally, many people feel like they cannot spread the news. But help can be found in the most unusual places. Obviously we are always needing donations, whether that be monetary or for items such as puppy pads, food, bully sticks (which my rescues are spoiled with), formula, vaccines, and all sorts of items. Also just liking our Facebook page can do a lot of good. Sharing and even voting in contests like [1-Day Rescue/Shelter Giveaways] mean a lot.

A big thank-you to all that Recycled Pets NorCal does in their community: for the care of the animals in their community. Find out more about Recycled Pets NorCal on Facebook.

We have another 1-Day Animal Shelter/Rescue Giveaway in a couple weeks! Stay tuned to the BBS Facebook Page for our announcement! 

Last week, Best Bully Sticks had the chance to talk with Maria Dales, Director & Founder of German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County. This completely volunteer run breed rescue in Southern California has a lot of fire in their bellies and networking abilities to make a difference in many doggy lives. Read more about GSROC in the BBS Rescue Spotlight below. (We think you’ll especially enjoy Maria’s rescue success stories.)

When & Why did you start?
In 1998, we began as a small offshoot chapter of a larger LA-based German Shepherd Rescue group.  We began by transporting one dog at a time from LA to market that dog in Orange County because at that time there were no German Shepherd Rescue groups in OC.  Thanks to the dedication and compassion of our great volunteers, we quickly grew and realized that we needed to form our own organization.  We incorporated German Shepherd Rescue OC in 2005 and have consistently rescued and re-homed more dogs each year.

I personally feel that shepherds are misunderstood and largely underappreciated.  The thought of these incredibly intelligent, loving and loyal dogs languishing in animal shelters is overwhelming. I know that we can't stop or slow down when so many beautiful shepherds need our help.  Every single dog that comes to us was once a beautiful little puppy full of hope and promise--probably someone's pride and joy, at least for a while.  We owe it to these dogs to do everything we can to turn their lives around and put them back on the road to happiness.

What's different about your rescue?
Our volunteers embrace their rescue responsibilities as they would a "paying" job.  We try to set an example for other rescues to follow.  We have high standards for our adopters as well as for our volunteers.  I'm continually amazed by the level of commitment and dedication that our team members demonstrate.  Even as I write this at 9:30 PM, ten volunteers are out searching with flashlights for a missing dog.  A key differentiator for GSROC is that we focus on quality placements, not volume placements.  It is important to us that we choose solid, stable, loving homes for our dogs, and that we take the time and care to make prudent decisions to ensure the wellbeing of the dogs depending on us. Read more

Best Bully Sticks loves supporting animal shelters and rescues. (In fact, every Tuesday the Healthy Dog Blog highlights a rescue or shelter.) It’s pretty easy to figure out that our readers and customers genuinely care and hurt for rescue animals. But what happens when rescuing a dog falls into your own hands? Best Bully Sticks knows at some point you'll see a dog in need, whether you’re driving or just happen upon a loose, unattended dog. Today BBS will go over the correct way to handle the rescue of a stray dog.

Your Initial Reaction
Remember that your initial reaction is key. If you’re in your car, do not slam on your breaks. There’s no reason to get in a wreck. If you’re walking by your self, do not startle the dog.  Any dog, no matter how friendly, can act out when scared.

If You Don’t Feel Comfortable
If there is any reason you don’t feel comfortable rescuing the dog, don’t proceed! Whether it’s because you’re alone, you’re nervous or scared, or just don’t feel confident, by all means, don’t try to rescue the dog. Dogs can sense fear and you don’t want to provoke the dog in any way. Call your local SPCA, or 411 number to find out who to contact. Provide your nearest animal rescue organization with as much information as you can: coloring, markings, breed, color of collar, gender and where you last saw the dog and which direction it was heading.

DO NOT
If you decided to help the dog, here are some absolute no-no’s.
-Do not chase the dog. If you run, the dog will run and that could mean out into traffic, or just away where you can’t follow.

-Do not move suddenly or speak loudly. Again, you don’t want to frighten or provoke the dog.

-Do not proceed if the dog becomes aggressive. We shouldn’t have to say it, but it won’t be worth it or help either one of you if you are hurt. 

Securing the Dog
This part of the process is a very delicate one. First, try calling the dog to you and maybe even offer a treat and incentive. If you’re on the road, try slowly opening the door and see if the dog jumps in.  Dogs who are used to riding in cars will be familiar with this. If you don’t feel comfortable riding in the car with the dog, call your local SPCA or Animal Rescue to meet you where you are. If you happened upon the dog in your neighborhood, trying coaxing the dog into a fenced in yard or any closed off area. Read more

"It's so funny how something as simple as a puppy can make even the hardest, toughened soldier melt upon a few kisses to the face."

Best Bully Sticks knows without a doubt this is true, and not just for soldiers. Dog’s have that innate ability to become instantaneous companions for life. This is the basic mission of one special animal rescue’s efforts. Puppy Rescue Mission reunites American soldiers with dogs that they befriended during military tours as well as helps local shelters place dogs in need.

“Anna Cannan, president of Puppy Rescue Mission, originally created PRM to fundraise to help rescue "THE LUCKY SEVEN" out of Afghanistan where her fiancé was deployed. Due to Anna's amazing fundraising success, several of "THE LUCKY SEVEN" are now living stateside along with their respective soldiers.

It is PRM's mission to continue Anna's work by fundraising and helping to rescue dogs and cats out of Afghanistan for soldiers who deserve to have their furry friends brought back from war.” (from PRM’s Facebook) Read more