Tag: Rescue Dogs

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

BestBullySticks.com had the great opportunity to speak with Sue Rogers, founder of The Mia Foundation. This great organization helps pets with birth defects that no one else will take. Read on to learn about the inspiring Mia the Chihuahua and more amazing pet rescues.

When & Why did you start?
The Mia Foundation was established in April of 2012 after the death of our precious Chihuahua, Mia.  This is her story.

My precious Mia was born with a cleft palate. Mia had several surgeries, (all of which had failed.) Although she was taken to the top Universities and to the top Veterinarians, she was given little hope of survival. I was told that euthanasia was best. I refused to give up on her and vowed to fight for her as long as she continued to fight. She was given a chance at life and even though her life was short-lived, she lived it to the fullest. She had to face many medical obstacles on her journey here, but she never let it overpower her love for life. Mia has inspired over 11,000 people from all over the world and continues to create Miracles every day.

Sadly, Mia passed away from pneumonia on April 11th, 2012 two months shy of her 2nd birthday. Her legacy lives on through The Mia Foundation which was created in her honor.

The Mia Foundation was developed to give animals born with birth defects a fighting chance. Mia was given a chance and in return gave so much love, hope and inspiration to people all around the world. I have come to realize that Mia was sent here to help us all in whatever way possible. She was brought to this earth to show us courage and unconditional love, she was here to bring loving, caring people together from all over the world and to teach us all to never give up no matter what obstacles we may face. She taught us to be brave, to be strong, and to smile in the face of adversity. Most importantly, she taught us all how to love unconditionally!!

Since her death, Mia's story has inspired people to adopt animals with birth defects that may have otherwise been overlooked or not given a chance at life and love. Mia has educated thousands of people from all walks of life on how to care for a special needs animal. She has raised awareness as to, "If they are born, they deserve a chance to live!!" Because of her strength, determination, love and will to live, she has enriched the lives of countless individuals. She had a zest for life unlike any I have ever seen. Her tiny paw left a huge imprint on so very many hearts.

Mia has shown us all that miracles really do exist. She changed the world with just one smile!! Read more

Yesterday was International Homeless Animal's Day, but it's an important message for every day. We want to talk to  you about this day not because Best Bully Sticks thinks you don’t care, or that you won’t remember. Being a broken record about events like International Homeless Animal’s Day is about state of mind—active change; and state of heart—compassion. This day of observance is very much like other awareness or recognition days, but the importance of the message shouldn’t be discounted or lessened with each repetition.

Pet overpopulation is a serious problem in the United States. “Serious” is a passive word by itself, so to make that more tangible: 10,000 pets are euthanized every day. Only about 20% of shelter animals are spayed or neutered. The International Society of Animal Rights began raising awareness for this particular issue in 1992 with events like candlelight vigils, adoption events, rallies and more.

Pet overpopulation and euthanization are going to be problems until enough concerned citizens get involved and raise awareness to a greater population. Here are a few ways you can get involved and start making a change.

Participate in a Candlelight Vigil
Vigils are held on different days throughout the country and are meant as quiet moments to reflect on the scores of animals who have been euthanized in the past. Check here to see if an event is being held in your area. If not, you can also participate in the virtual candlelight vigil.

Volunteer at an Animal Rescue
Many rescues are understaffed and always in need of help. It’s very likely you’ll never be turned down at a rescue as a volunteer. They’ll put you to work bathing, walking, feeding or even answering phones all for the sake of the animals in that rescue.

Foster a Shelter Pet
Fostering can be a big commitment, and isn’t right for every one. However, temporarily providing a loving home for a pet is a great way to help out not only the pet, but the shelter responsible for the pet’s care. If you already have one easy-going pet, it may be very easy for you to add one more into the mix. Talk about this option with those in your home and, of course, with your local rescue.

Call, Write & Talk
Call your senator. Write your congressman. Talk to your neighbor. Or, any combination of these! Talking about spaying and neutering animals and why that’s important is the first step in awareness. It may seem like a no-brainer, but if no one else is talking about this subject, it’s up to you to start the conversation.

Donate
We’ve already talked about donating your time as a volunteer for your local shelter, but donating pet food and supplies could relive a great burden off of your favored organization. If you have the means, talk to your local shelter to see what items they need.

Best Bully Sticks hopes you are the spark of change in your community this year to support the well-being of homeless animals in your area, in your state and the world. 

Best Bully Sticks has the opportunity to highlight a very special animal rescue who’s main goal is to save “Death Row” dogs. Eleventh Hour Rescue starts many days like this:

Our day begins with logging onto our computer, only to find we have a mere 161 emails to read before finishing our morning cup of coffee. Some of the subject titles read, “Senior Hound, last day is today,” “Overflowing with Puppies,” “13 more left, please help,” “Shy girl, and 3 legged beagle due to be gassed Tuesday.” Imagine having such a death sentence being held over your head, opening email after email, seeing the faces of fluffy, highly adoptable puppies, a scared little Shepherd curled up in the corner of a dirty kennel, a Labrador with just a blur behind him where the camera couldn't capture how fast his tail was wagging.

Sometimes, well... no, most times, our eyes are welled up with tears, and the thoughts of: Where are we going to put them?  How will we pay for the transport?  What if one is heartworm positive, how will we pay for the treatment?  This is when we take a deep breath, email our volunteers, start brainstorming about fund raising ideas, rebalance the checkbook, and just end the morning with an emailed response of 'We'll take them all', backed only with one thought...

'We'll figure it out'.

---------

We talked with Elyse Langsett, EHR's Fundraising Director, after they won BBS’s most recent 1-Day Animal Shelter/Rescue Giveaway on Facebook. She elaborated on how this New Jersey rescue was started, their struggles and their successes. Read more