New Take on Dog Rescue

Stop Passing the Buck, You Must Take Action Now

Somehow, the world envisions non-profit rescue organizations to have unlimited pet-friendly homes and no waiting list. People assume these organizations are able to accept every dog in need. Well, if this were true, shelters would be empty across the world.

Facts About Rescue Organizations

Fact: Foster homes are extremely limited and rescue organizations have very limited resources, such as funds and volunteers. When we see an abandoned dog, we need to take the initiative to rescue the dog rather than beg rescue organizations to step in. Yes, it’s time for us to roll up our sleeves and work with these organizations rather than passing the buck, which is happening at an alarming rate.

Rescue organizations excel at their adoption process. There’s a lengthy application process with requirements, home checks and legal contracts. If rescue organizations redirected all of their time and finances to adoption processes, we could make a big dent in finding forever homes for abandoned dogs. However, they spend valuable time begging and pleading people to find acceptable foster homes for homeless dogs. When no homes are available, they’re not able to welcome in more dogs.

Sound hopeless? Far from it. We need to rethink rescue processes. There’s a huge gap missing in saving and rescuing dogs, and that’s community involvement. If one person saved one dog every year, we most certainly would see a difference. Day in and day out, I see the same people tirelessly saving, nurturing and placing abused dogs into homes. These people need a break. We need fresh faces, new ideas and more people stepping in and helping. Abandoned pets are our problem, so we need to fix it together. No more calling someone else to help. You need to step in, roll up your sleeves and save dogs.

Saving Dogs is a Team Effort

Many people have tirelessly donated their time transporting, grooming, training and fostering dogs. Every bit of blood, sweat and tear is extremely appreciated, but we need more. Even non-pet people need to step in. This is not a “dog people” problem, but rather a humanity problem.

I’m not asking you to open up your home for a pet in need. I’m asking you to open up your wallet and donate time. We need you to help raise funds for these poor abandoned animals. I know you can most certainly help here.

Money makes the world go round. When sprinkled with kindness and good intentions, it’s unstoppable!

What Fundraising Can Pay For

By fundraising for donations, you can certainly ensure neglected dogs receive veterinary care, food in their belly and a safe place to stay.

Safe Housing

Due to the lack of immediate foster homes, a short stay in a boarding kennel is a safe place for stray dogs to lay low and recover until an opening pops up. But kennels cost money.

A home environment is best for all dogs, but they don’t magically appear right away. Most dog lovers are hesitant to open their homes to unknown dogs with unknown illnesses and temperaments. So by raising funds, you can help place a dog in a kennel environment until he or she is temperament tested with children, people and other pets. Kennels are good temporary options, but again they require money.

Veterinary Costs

Veterinary costs can add up, ranging between 50 percent to 80 percent of all donations. These costs can also depend on a stray dog’s needs. Some dogs are found duct-taped, discarded with broken legs or heartworm positive. Most stray dogs need to be spayed or neutered. For a single dog, these costs can quickly add up to $800. Donations can take care of this issue.

Veterinarians are Not the Enemy

Before we point fingers at veterinarians and demand deep discounts off “outrageous” fees, these folks charge a fraction of conventional human medical care cost. In addition, they walk out of college with the same amount of tuition debt as human medical doctors. Veterinarians are not the enemy. These folks are lumped into the tireless rescue fighters who have offered discounts, but they still need to feed their family. It’s our turn to help.

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Food and Dog Behavior Training

Luckily, this issue is somewhat managed since large pet retailers offer free dog food to non-profit organizations. Just about every big box pet company has an active program in place. They donate toys and treats plus dog food.

Dog trainers are hidden heroes too. Many donate their time to temperament test, provide behavior protocols specific to each stray dog’s needs, and support rescue organizations and foster parents with ongoing advice and mentoring. Now, it never hurts to pay these dedicated folks either. They’re not making large profits like big box retailers. Money helps here too.

How You Can Save Animals

Find your cause. It’s pretty easy, as we’re bombarded with soulful eyes of dogs in need every day. If a stray dog shows up in your neighborhood or a friend finds a dog in deplorable conditions, jump in and help.

Set Up a Fundraising Website

Set up a website using PayPal for donations. It’s much cheaper than GoFundMe and other websites that charge between 3 to 10 percent on fund-raised money. You can also set up direct billing with the veterinarian caring for the dog.

From experience, I would set up both donation options. Some people are uncomfortable paying online while others worry about credit card information getting lost at a veterinary clinic. Setting up both options ensures you’re receiving the maximum amount of donations.

Set a donation limit that’s reasonable. Yes, we would all love to raise a million dollars for a dog, but it’s unreasonable and a bit off-putting to donators. Post a picture of the vet’s estimated bill, so donators can see where their funds are actually going.

Be honest and transparent. Explain why you’re asking for donations. Tell a stray dog’s story because that’s the reason you’re donating your time to help this cause. Keep emotions in check (I know it’s hard) and post pictures and updates. Givers want to know all of their money was used to help the dog rather than being wasted.

Lastly, open up your wallet and donate too. Yes, you’re donating your time, but give $25 or $50. Every bit of money is needed.

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Spread the Word

Trust me, your fundraising website will not reach goal within 24 hours. (Although I wish it did.) You’ll have to spread the word through social media, friends, family and contacts. Make it a point to meet a new contact every day and post results weekly, so folks know progress is being made.

Involve Rescue Groups

Once fundraising has begun and you’ve found a safe place for a dog in need, contact your local humane society or rescue organization. Explain to them the dog is safe and being seen by a vet, and fundraising has begun. Then, ask if they could post the dog on their website for adoption.

You should also ask if they would accept the dog you’re helping into their program, so potential adopters could be screened and home checked through their organization. As of yet, I haven’t had a rescue group refuse. Instead, they thank me profusely for doing the right thing and not dumping the dog on them.

One person, one dog every year. We can do this!