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Do Donations to Stray Dogs Actually Help?

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Yes, Donations to Stray Dogs Do Help

Dog Donations
IrynaTiumentsev/Deposit Photos

We’re flooded with donation requests every day–sometimes multiple times a day. However, most of us click past photos of dogs’ pleading eyes, heartwrenching animal cruelty cases and shelters filled to the brim with dogs. Some pictures of these abandoned dogs are burned in our retinas forever.

Look, I’m just as guilty as you. I quickly click past those haunting faces because it hurts my soul and I feel so helpless. Seriously, how could I help a dog down in south Louisiana? I live so far away. Then I wonder, do donations really work and, if so, does the dog in need actually receive every penny?

Then, a heinous dog abuse case crossed my path and I refused to look away. I had to help. After that experience, I can now answer your burning question. Yes, every penny does help a defenseless abandoned dog and it does something more–it changes your life too.

Dog Donation Facts

When researching donation behaviors (I find behavior fascinating!),  individuals make up 75 percent of giving in America, according to Talk About Giving. Wow! It’s not the size of the donation that matters. It’s the heart behind the giver that makes the difference.

It seems lower income households give the most, which is not shocking, as we know what it’s like to need. Helping a defenseless animal will bring a sense of accomplishment, inner peace and deeper connection with fellow animal lovers. It’s indescribable.

How Donations Break Down

If done correctly, every penny is applied to an abandoned dog’s needs. We’ll talk about identifying legitimate fundraisers in another article because it can be tricky. If you’re interested in becoming an abandoned animal advocate, I have advice on starting up fundraisers myself. You can check out the story that changed me forever.

Most stray dogs need immediate veterinary care, food and a safe place to rest. So let’s discuss how small donations really do add up.

Food

Dog food costs range between $15-$60 per month, depending on the size and health condition of the stray dog. Most strays are very skinny, so they may eat four to six cups of dog food a day.

  • If 10 people donated their coffee money for one day ($5), they can feed a large dog for an entire month or two small dogs for a month.

Spay/Neuter

  • Most female dog spays hover between $100-$250. If 15 people donated their lunch money for one day ($10-$15), it will cover one female dog’s spay.
  • Male dog neuters are significantly cheaper, as it’s less invasive, so costs hover around $80-$150. Again, if eight people donated their lunch money for just one day, they would pay for a neuter.

Veterinary Costs

One stray dog’s veterinary care costs range between $150-$500, depending on his specific needs. When donating for veterinary care, ask the dog’s advocate to post an estimate of the dog’s veterinary costs and choose the portion of the bill you’ll cover. Most givers like to know where their costs go, so choosing provides a type of reassurance.

  • One nice dinner out ($30-$45) would cover a full vet exam.
  • Sacrificing $80 (nice dinner for two)  would cover a dog neuter.
  • Donating $15-$30 would cover tests to check for intestinal parasites.
  • 10 people donating $10 each would cover medications needed to treat any issues.
  • Eight people donating one night out ($25) would cover a high risk spay.

Every amount counts. If every person helped rescue one dog a year, we would make a huge difference! Be a dog’s voice.

READ NEXT: Rescue Dogs Need Your Help

Rescue Dogs Need Your Help

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New Take on Dog Rescue

Stop Passing the Buck, You Must Take Action Now

Rescue Dogs
vilevi/Deposit Photos

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.

RELATED: Why You Should Get Pet Insurance

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.

RELATED: How to Find an Excellent Dog Training Blog

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!

Dog Abuse Story: My Reality Check

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Helping an Abused Dog Named Noodle

Dog Abuse
Noodle, the female Pit Bull Terrier.

The last few days are a blur. A very skinny and severely neglected female Pit Bull Terrier came into my life and my world has been spinning ever since. While my soul still aches, I want to share her story with you not to make you sad, but to empower you. We all need to help.

The Story of Noodle

My day started like most days, sipping coffee and typing away at my next article. Then, an early morning phone call sank my heart to my feet.

A dear friend arrived at work earlier than scheduled on a hot and humid Friday morning. As he approached the front door, he was greeted by a malnourished female dog that was tied and duct-taped to a massive tree log. She had dragged this log for miles, as there were no homes or businesses close by. She dragged this huge truck for so long that the bottom was sanded flat.

She was filthy and extremely skinny, and her breasts told of a recent litter of puppies. Her feet were red and blistered and her neck was bleeding. She was exhausted. She could barely stand or walk. She collapsed at his feet.

My friend slowly befriended her with his breakfast and removed the log. Next, he freed her from the thick rope and duct tape choking her. It seems the duct tape was freshly applied probably within eight hours, which sickens me because some horrible person must have recently touched her and did it in pure cruelty.

Dog Abuse
Noodle, the female Pit Bull Terrier.

Fighting back waves of nausea, I had to sit down while listening to the dreadful details. My friend grasped for words followed by long pauses, as we both fought back tears. He was begging for help. We had to save her. Then, I asked for pictures, hoping with every fiber of my being that it wasn’t too bad. After viewing them, I wished I’d never seen them. Those pictures can never be unseen. They’re burned in my eyes and soul forever.

A rage filled me unlike anything I’ve felt before. I cried and screamed inside and out–how could this happen? Another wave of pure disgust fueled my rage. This poor Pit Bull girl had pulled this log along aside a busy road and no one stopped to help her! I know someone saw her. It was during rush hour for Pete’s sake!

No, I will not let her down. Cruel humans have done enough.

Stepping Into Action

Used My Contacts

Thankfully, I’m blessed with a hefty number of dog-loving contacts, so I started using them all. I begged for help on Facebook and made hundreds of phone calls. As kind souls began arriving at work, they pooled funds together and purchased her a dog crate, food and treats. She was safe, but I needed to find her a safe place for the night.

Fostered the Dog

Noodle’s story spread like wildfire. Two kind souls offered to foster her until she was able to find her forever home. Now, fostering is not for the faint of heart. It’s mentally challenging for both humans and their personal dogs. However, the reward most certainly outweighs its challenges.

Contacted a Local Veterinarian

I begged and pleaded on social media for funds, which I knew would be desperately needed to save this girl. She has probably never seen a veterinarian in her life. While the outpouring was massive, there was a delay in fundraising. Folks were unsure about donating to a website, so we set up direct billing to a local veterinarian.

Why I Didn’t Contact Animal Control

Many of you are probably asking, “Why didn’t you contact rescue?” Well I did, and they’re drowning in abandoned dogs. Pit Bulls are usually the first dogs euthanized at animal control because so many idiots are breeding them and no one adopts them out.

Time and time again, local and national rescue organizations rejected me. After hearing “Sorry, we’re full” 15 times, I learned a very valuable lesson. The problem is not rescue. It’s us. We’re asking others to clean up our mess–out of sight, out of mind, right? Well, not anymore.

Everyone, including non-pet lovers, needs to roll up his sleeves and help every animal in need regardless where it happens. We must take action and quit passing the buck. Don’t look away.

It takes a village to save a dog.

Six Days Later (8/27/15)

Noodle has gained 10 pounds, learned to play with toys and experienced sleeping on beds, which she loves. She used to be scared she’ll never eat again, but she’s learning to eat slower. She’s causing chronic stomach distention, as she drinks every water bowl dry, including the toilet. Keep in mind she’s never had unlimited access to resources. She’s scared of male dogs, which makes me think she was forcibly bred for puppies over and over again.

She loves people so much so she would rather sit in your lap than eat her chewies. She’ll probably develop separation anxiety, but I’ll see her through it. Her foster Momma is teaching her crate training skills and polite leash manners.

From a health perspective, Noodle is heartworm positive. Her vet estimates her age between one to two years old, but couldn’t give a specific number. Her young body aged fast due to a hard life. As I type, I’ve scheduled a local dog trainer to temperament test her today. I’ll follow up with phone calls.

Accepted Into a Local Rescue

Due to our fundraising efforts and attempts to find her a kind foster home, a local rescue (Lake Charles Pit Bull Rescue) accepted her into their program. You know why? Because we didn’t dump her. We took action and asked the experts to help find her a home.

You see, I did all of this from my home. I live six hours away.

It takes a village to save a dog and we need to all step in. You can do this too.

Please Help Noodle

If you would like to donate to Noodle, as her veterinary bills are huge,
please contact Gill Bright Animal Hospital at (337) 477-4252.

For checks, please add Act #14292 in the subject line and
make the check out to Gill Bright Animal Hospital. Please mail to:

Gill Bright Animal Hospital, Care Of Noodle LCPBR
406 W. McNeese
St., Lake Charles, LA 70605

Take a moment and thank Lake Charles Pit Bull Rescue. They’re located in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Also, thank Samantha Collins for donating her time to temperament test Noodle. She owns Companions TLC in Lafayette, LA. Don’t forget to like their Facebook pages too.

Find a Dog Sitter Tips

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How to Find a Fabulous Dog Sitter

Find a Dog Sitter
Wavebreakmedia/iStock

Having moved to a new state recently, I’m trying to find a dog sitter and it’s stressful. We’re planning a trip to Hawaii, which means I’ll be far away if something should happen. So, I started the process and finally found the best dog sitter–we love her!

Of course, I’ll share these tips with you. Follow these steps to narrow down choices and help you find the perfect trusted dog sitter who your dogs will love too.

Ask Dog Professionals

Ask your veterinarian, dog trainer and fellow pet lovers for recommendations and, then go one step further, ask how their visits went while away. Don’t stop with just one referral. Keep asking until you have several leads. If a specific dog sitter is really good, you’ll notice his or her name popping up often.

Refrain from finding a dog sitter online–either independent or through larger companies. I’ve been burned. My dogs were fine–it didn’t get that far thankfully–but I noticed miscommunication, lack of follow-up and complete lack of professionalism in the beginning.

As a pet professional, I’ve heard horror stories of multiple dog sitters visiting during a single day and mixing up prescription dog food resulting in very sick dogs. Could this happen with anyone? Maybe, but the chances are less likely if pet professionals recommend a pet sitter instead of selectively gambling an unknown person online.

RELATED: 11 Common Questions Dog Trainers are Asked

Run a Background Search Online

Now turn on your computer and search each individual’s full name online. I recommend Google, as it really narrows down searches to specific criteria. Many years ago, someone recommended me a specific pet sitter and, after a simple Google search, I noticed three major complaints stating she never showed up for any visits over a four-day period.

If it’s just one complaint, maybe it was just a disgruntled person. Four complaints though? Something is terribly wrong. When digging in, I noticed this person changed the name of her dog sitting company, which is another red flag. When I informed the person who recommended the baby sitter, she set up a hidden camera and was shocked. The “dog sitter” walked up to my friend’s front porch and sat in a rocking chair, chatting on her cellphone for an hour and never went inside to take care of the dogs. Yes, true story!

Check Better Business Bureau (BBB) for any complaints. Do your research until you uncover any and everything.

Screen By Phone

Once you’ve narrowed down your referred list even further, give each person a call. Tell the potential dog sitter who referred you to him or her, and explain a bit about yourself and your dogs. Now, ask the person to tell you about his or her background, experience and services offered.

As you’re chatting, listen closely to this person’s voice. Does he or she sound happy, patient, trustworthy and kind? Happy folks sound like they’re smiling while talking and easily elaborate answers to all your questions. Stay away from someone giving short, curt answers. That’s never a good sign.

Meet in Person

Once you’ve shortened your list further, schedule an in-person interview preferably with your dogs present. Meeting a potential dog sitter face-to-face does not guarantee acceptance. It’s so important to watch him or her interact with your dogs before signing any paperwork or exchanging keys. If needed, take a day or two and think it over. Take your time–your dogs and home are depending on your decision.

In-person interviews usually narrow down my list quickly because having a 120-pound Rottweiler slobbering all over you and a Miniature Bull Terrier looking up your skirt can be intimidating to say the least.:)  Some dog sitters state their hesitance immediately and others fumble around, trying to remove slobber from their shirts and shoo Stella away. As you guessed it, the fumblers are immediately eliminated.

Watch how this person reacts when your dog jumps up into his or her lap or gets licked on the face. The person should have gentle hands, meaning he or she is not pushing, pulling or yelling. Instead he or she should ask your dog to sit instead of jump or lick, and reward with petting and treats. If someone is scared of your dog, he or she is not the right person.

Schedule a Trial Vacation

Once you’ve selected a dog sitter, set up a mini vacation and see how things go. This could be the perfect spouse getaway you both need. Stay overnight at a high-end hotel or visit family over the weekend. If all goes well, then you’ve found your perfect dog sitter. If not, at least you were close by, and you now know how to find the right one!

Good luck and trust your gut!

How to Choose a Good Dog Trainer

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Choosing a Dog Trainer: Cheap is Never Good

How to Choose a Dog Trainer
ChristinLola/iStock

It’s time. You’ve been pulled into your neighbor’s bushes for the last time. Your dog needs to learn how to walk politely on leash. Now it’s time to find a good dog trainer. Before you sort by price, take a moment and learn why cheaper is not better when choosing a dog trainer.

If The Price is Too Good, There’s a Catch!

Remember the saying: “If it’s too good to be true, it is”? Well, this certainly pertains to cheap dog training. When polled, many dog owners were asked the top three reasons they pick a dog trainer and I was shocked by their answers. Their main requirement was bargain basement prices. What? Allow me to explain why this will cost you more money in the long run.

While I understand most of us are on a budget, choosing a cheap dog trainer is never a good choice–there’s a reason he’s so cheap. Usually, these folks have very limited experience if any really. Their cheap prices are luring unsuspecting dog owners, so inexperienced dog trainers can “learn to be a dog trainer” with you and your dog. Yikes!

Working with an inexperienced dog trainer will not only cause extra time (which is money), but you’ll probably also need to find an experienced dog trainer to remedy unresolved or incorrectly handled issues.

RELATED: Not All Dogs Like Dog Day Care

Perception is Not Reality

States don’t require licensing for dog trainers, so anyone can call himself or herself a dog trainer–and it happens a lot!

Don’t believe me? Well, I interviewed certified dog trainers for an extremely large national company and we had set requirements before applying. All applicants had to have a minimum of two years of dog training experience, preferably teaching group classes. Then, I asked candidates typical scenario questions in my private and group dog training classes, using a standard questionnaire. I was floored by their responses.

The failure rate was absurd. It hovered around 53% to 60% weekly. Thirty percent of these applicants couldn’t answer one question correctly. Every applicant felt strongly he or she was qualified to teach dogs professionally, but they were far from it. If this scares you, it most certainly should.

Plus, dog training is new to many people and it certainly evolves yearly with newer and more effective methods, so it’s foreign to most. If your dog trainer was clueless, it would be hard to recognize it unless you have previous dog training experience. Also, some dog trainers have really good poker faces and are good at making things up on the fly, so buyer beware.

A Good Dog Trainer is Worth Every Penny

Yes, just like all smart investments. You’ll probably attend fewer classes while learning more because you have an excellent dog trainer. If you don’t pay it now, you’ll end up paying for it later, which is true for most anything. Check out my recommendations and websites for finding a dog trainer.

You may also like: 3 Dog Obedience Training Styles

Dog Training Nation is a dog training blog for pet owners and dog lovers. We cover a range of topics from puppy socialization tips to dog aggression to dog health. It is our hope you share our content to make the world a better place for dogs.

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