Hello again everyone and welcome spring! I was just sitting here getting ready to sign in and post our updates when I received an email from our VP saying that she wanted to post on the site all the updates for this month. I guess great minds think alike. Anyway, I loved the idea to have her do this month’s update as I have been on “reprieve” for the month of March and Laurie has done a wonderful job of taking the wheel.
So here it is:
Here we are nearing the end of March, hard to believe. Our goal for 2009 was to find forever homes for 150 pets. Since just January we have already rehomed 55 pets in our care to wonderful families! Though we revel in our successes, there were many tears as well during the past few months. As some of you are aware, we assisted another rescue group who was given the task of removing hundreds of dogs from a breeder closed down in Pennsylvania by the State. On a rainy, cold day I drove out to meet the group and retrieve four of the saddest little pups you could imagine. They had spent their life living in kitchen cupboards in filthy conditions. ChopStix and Lulu the Shitzus and Ali and Mama mini-dachshunds were so scared as I moved them from one car to another and we made the journey back to Waggin' Tails for a good check over, bath and grooming. All were severely underweight, ChopStix's hair was so matted to his body and dirty that he had developed a urinary infection as there was no place for the urine to go except the matted mound of hair. The dachshunds were in serious condition and needed to go immediately for veterinarian care and i.v. for severe dehydration. All were given a head to toe wash and hair cut, and within a couple of hours you could start to see their eyes twinkle, they knew that the future was going to be good for them. As the weeks passed we continued with their intensive veterinarian care, they had significant dental work done as well as of course all their necessary vetting. Each one blossomed into an absolutely wonderful pet, full of love and spunk, and then they were ready for adoption. All have found the most incredible homes; their journey took them far, but in the end into open, loving arms of families willing to give them a second chance and a new life. We also recently took in handsome Otto pulled from a puppy mill in Western New York and one of our wonderful foster families is currently working with him to get Otto use to such simple things as - human touch, good food, play, and a warm, comfy bed to sleep. Each day he shows remarkable improvement, and has actually become quite smitten with Roxy, the beautiful terrier in our group we are treating for heartworm to ready her for her new home and family. How forgiving these pets are for the tortures put upon them by man. With the economic situation, we have assisted numerous local families in the past few months in helping them rehome their pets that they no longer can keep. We don't judge, we just ask how we can help, and if we can, we do.
Though I should be happy, it still saddens me to know that there will be more coming to us from those horrendous kitchen cupboards, and I await the call to tell us to hit the highway again, and thus, we start all over. Spring time will leave us here at Waggin' Tails Pet Rescue with trying to fill back up our rescue bank account and we start all over again….
Happy Spring to all.
Laurie Smith Vice President
I would also like to add something of my own. Some of you may remember April of last year. We aided another rescue with a number of dogs that had been literally saved from being shot in a field in Lancaster PA. One of these dogs was a beautiful brown cockerpoo that we named Dasie. She was so shy and scared when she came to us. She had never known human contact and had lived her life in a crate that was barely big enough for her to move around in. With no pan in the bottom, Dasie had to live on the wire bottom. When she arrived, her feet were encrusted with feces and terribly matted. Of course we got her cleaned up right away. Well it took some time, but we did gain her trust and she has been here living with me all this time.
A little over a week ago we had an application come in. As we were interviewing the family, we came to realize that Dasie may have just found her new home. We did not have Dasie on our website as looking for her new forever home because she needed just the right home to be able to understand her and have the patience to continue working with her, though she had already done a 110 + percent turn around.
Dasie has finally found her new home. This family came and met her and fell in love. I received a phone call the other night from their nine year old daughter. We talked (actually she talked to me) for at least 15 minutes. Laughing and telling me all about Dasie and how wonderful she is. They couldn't be happier and it sounds like that goes for Dasie as well. Not to mention my husband and myself as she had become part of our family too by this time. They promised pictures and we very much look forward to receiving them. When we do, I will share them with you all on our Pawfect Endings page.
I guess that is all for now. Have a wonderful weekend and HAPPY SPRING!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Hello Everyone!
I am new at this "Blogging" thing and to be honest, this is my first time. So what I am going to do is just give you updates and leave everything else open. If my understanding is correct, blogging is more or less for speaking to people. Answering questions and maybe an opinion or two. Please feel free to tell me whatever you would like and/or ask any questions you want. If I can answer I will. This goes for anything related to rescue or grooming. This is an open blog for anyone and all I ask is that no fowl language be used and to please respect one another. If this very simple request is not followed, I will close this down!!!
So................... here we go:
Well I have to thank all of you for a very successful event. Champions Run for Rescue was a wonderful success. It was so good to see all of our familiar faces as well as meet many new ones. The two coonhound puppies found wonderful new homes as well as two of the cocker babies from applications that we received at this event. And since then, the rest of the babies have found their new homes as well. The even better news is that Maple Ski Ridge has invited us back to do it again next year!! Because we had so much fun and because of the great turn out, how could we say no. So keep your eyes peeled for next season again.
In the meantime, things have been very busy here. We have been receiving all kinds of calls from all over NYS and other states asking for our help. If you have been on our website, you would notice that the state of PA is shutting down a breeder. Most of these dogs were Doxies, and Doxie Rescue was called to come in and help. Because not all of the dogs were of that breed, they contacted us and asked if we were in a position to be able to help with some of the animals that were in need of placement. Because of all of our puppies finding new homes, we were able to help and took in two Shih Tzu's and two Doxies. They are wonderful little dogs and are currently in foster homes and we are accepting applications for anyone interested in giving them new forever homes.
We were also able to help in another situation and though we do not have much information as of yet, we are expecting a 5 yr old little boy next weekend. This little boy is a Bichon. He too will be going directly into foster care until he can be vetted and his new home found. If interested, please keep your eyes on our available dogs page for more information as we receive it.
On a personal note to let those of you who don't know me get to know me a little bit. I have been a groomer since 1989 and started my current location in April of 2002. Rescue had never entered my mind until Katrina hit and even then rescue was still not on my mind in any other way but to volunteer to help giving' whatever animal background and skills I had to help. Mike (my husband) and I went to Gulfport MS and volunteered. You can read more of that story on our "our story" link. While doing this, we noticed what a need there was and started to realize that rescues exist. Before that just like many of you I thought you either purchased a dog from a pet store or breeder or got a pet from the shelter. Then my eyes were opened.
So as you can see, Waggin' Tails Pet Rescue has not been around that long compared to some. I have to say, I have learned A LOT and still do every day. In rescue there is always something to learn. I have learned that there are MANY animals each day that die in shelters and the numbers would blow you away. The emails that I receive each and every day of animals that have been abused, neglected and some even tortured. Many more that are "going to die in a couple of days if someone doesn't get them out" that are in shelters that are over crowed. Situations where the state goes in and shuts down a breeder or puppy mill and the animals have no place to go. And lastly, from people who no longer can/want to keep their pets for whatever reason. It is mind boggling!!! There are days even I don't know how I am going to do it. Unfortunately, foster homes are the key in rescue. There is a rescue for every single breed out there known to man believe it or not. Some are nation wide and others are just local little rescues such as ourselves and all doing the best they can with the limited resources at hand. There are days I just want to crawl into bed and not come out, days I want to scream and days I want to cry. But then there are the days that put a smile on my face because I watch another animals that was treated badly or "thrown away" find a wonderful new home and know that I had a part in it. The thing is, that without the volunteer foster homes, no rescue would be able to help any at all or possibly one/two at a time in their own home. If this sounds to you like I am pushing for anyone interested in being a foster home to do so, it is because I am. It doesn't matter who you foster for or if you foster for a rescue or shelter, but if you are able to help and open your heart and home to help just one animal find their way it is all worth it. I won't push on that any more, but I think you all get the idea.
Another thing I have learned is that not all rescues work the same way. Some are more strick than others and each one runs their group in a different way. Some I agree with and others I do not. I won't get into that because the one thing that I do not allow in this group is to play the political nonsense that some groups do. We believe that rescues and shelters should work together and if we did, we could all accomplish so much more. I don't see any reason that if we have a preapproved home for a particular type of dog and I know that another group has it, that we shouldn't let them know about it. After all, it is about finding as many animals great homes as possible and no one group can do it alone. That is just my opinion.
Moving onto a very touchy subject. Adoption fees. I really don't want to get into this but I will since there seems to be such controversy over that. Waggin' Tails Pet Rescue does not hide any of the costs that has been put forth in each and every pet. When you adopt a pet and you receive their paperwork, it is a copy of the receipt from the vet with the totals on there. Sometimes when adopting a puppy, you will see that your adoption fee is more than what our cost was. I have no problem in admitting to that. Then with others, you will see that the adoption fee may be $200 and our cost for that one pet was $600 and we do not blink when it needs to be done. You see, unfortunately it is a balance that needs to be watched. There are some out there that think that it doesn't cost rescues anything to take care of these animals and I am sorry, but that is just not the case. If it sounds as if I am touch about this subject it is because I am. I do understand that some rescues do have adoptions fee's that are a bit out of control. I mean come on, I looked at one website and because the cost to save this one dogs life was $2500.00 that is what the adoption fee was. As a rescue, you could not ever expect that someone would pay that adoption fee!!! We have spend that on one just one animal in our care a few times but we would could not ask that as the adoption fee. As a matter of fact, we have spend that on a number of animals that for whatever reason didn't make it due to illness or never found their new home and or are still in our care after two years. Here is the thing though, someone will adopt that dog because they want it to love and care for it putting their heart and sole into their new family member for the rest of their lives. And those people I have to applaud!! I hope that you all understand the need for adoption fee's and understand a little more of how it all works. As I said before, it is a balance and no one person could ever do it physically, emotionally or financially.
I know that this is getting TOO long even for me so I am going to stop here for now. There will be more to come at some point but I think this is enough to get this blog started for now. Please feel free to post your options and comments but please remember................. NO FOWL LANGUAGE (or w/@$#$^) and please be respectful of myself, our group and others that post as well.
Thank you for taking the time to read and I look forward to hearing from you.
I am new at this "Blogging" thing and to be honest, this is my first time. So what I am going to do is just give you updates and leave everything else open. If my understanding is correct, blogging is more or less for speaking to people. Answering questions and maybe an opinion or two. Please feel free to tell me whatever you would like and/or ask any questions you want. If I can answer I will. This goes for anything related to rescue or grooming. This is an open blog for anyone and all I ask is that no fowl language be used and to please respect one another. If this very simple request is not followed, I will close this down!!!
So................... here we go:
Well I have to thank all of you for a very successful event. Champions Run for Rescue was a wonderful success. It was so good to see all of our familiar faces as well as meet many new ones. The two coonhound puppies found wonderful new homes as well as two of the cocker babies from applications that we received at this event. And since then, the rest of the babies have found their new homes as well. The even better news is that Maple Ski Ridge has invited us back to do it again next year!! Because we had so much fun and because of the great turn out, how could we say no. So keep your eyes peeled for next season again.
In the meantime, things have been very busy here. We have been receiving all kinds of calls from all over NYS and other states asking for our help. If you have been on our website, you would notice that the state of PA is shutting down a breeder. Most of these dogs were Doxies, and Doxie Rescue was called to come in and help. Because not all of the dogs were of that breed, they contacted us and asked if we were in a position to be able to help with some of the animals that were in need of placement. Because of all of our puppies finding new homes, we were able to help and took in two Shih Tzu's and two Doxies. They are wonderful little dogs and are currently in foster homes and we are accepting applications for anyone interested in giving them new forever homes.
We were also able to help in another situation and though we do not have much information as of yet, we are expecting a 5 yr old little boy next weekend. This little boy is a Bichon. He too will be going directly into foster care until he can be vetted and his new home found. If interested, please keep your eyes on our available dogs page for more information as we receive it.
On a personal note to let those of you who don't know me get to know me a little bit. I have been a groomer since 1989 and started my current location in April of 2002. Rescue had never entered my mind until Katrina hit and even then rescue was still not on my mind in any other way but to volunteer to help giving' whatever animal background and skills I had to help. Mike (my husband) and I went to Gulfport MS and volunteered. You can read more of that story on our "our story" link. While doing this, we noticed what a need there was and started to realize that rescues exist. Before that just like many of you I thought you either purchased a dog from a pet store or breeder or got a pet from the shelter. Then my eyes were opened.
So as you can see, Waggin' Tails Pet Rescue has not been around that long compared to some. I have to say, I have learned A LOT and still do every day. In rescue there is always something to learn. I have learned that there are MANY animals each day that die in shelters and the numbers would blow you away. The emails that I receive each and every day of animals that have been abused, neglected and some even tortured. Many more that are "going to die in a couple of days if someone doesn't get them out" that are in shelters that are over crowed. Situations where the state goes in and shuts down a breeder or puppy mill and the animals have no place to go. And lastly, from people who no longer can/want to keep their pets for whatever reason. It is mind boggling!!! There are days even I don't know how I am going to do it. Unfortunately, foster homes are the key in rescue. There is a rescue for every single breed out there known to man believe it or not. Some are nation wide and others are just local little rescues such as ourselves and all doing the best they can with the limited resources at hand. There are days I just want to crawl into bed and not come out, days I want to scream and days I want to cry. But then there are the days that put a smile on my face because I watch another animals that was treated badly or "thrown away" find a wonderful new home and know that I had a part in it. The thing is, that without the volunteer foster homes, no rescue would be able to help any at all or possibly one/two at a time in their own home. If this sounds to you like I am pushing for anyone interested in being a foster home to do so, it is because I am. It doesn't matter who you foster for or if you foster for a rescue or shelter, but if you are able to help and open your heart and home to help just one animal find their way it is all worth it. I won't push on that any more, but I think you all get the idea.
Another thing I have learned is that not all rescues work the same way. Some are more strick than others and each one runs their group in a different way. Some I agree with and others I do not. I won't get into that because the one thing that I do not allow in this group is to play the political nonsense that some groups do. We believe that rescues and shelters should work together and if we did, we could all accomplish so much more. I don't see any reason that if we have a preapproved home for a particular type of dog and I know that another group has it, that we shouldn't let them know about it. After all, it is about finding as many animals great homes as possible and no one group can do it alone. That is just my opinion.
Moving onto a very touchy subject. Adoption fees. I really don't want to get into this but I will since there seems to be such controversy over that. Waggin' Tails Pet Rescue does not hide any of the costs that has been put forth in each and every pet. When you adopt a pet and you receive their paperwork, it is a copy of the receipt from the vet with the totals on there. Sometimes when adopting a puppy, you will see that your adoption fee is more than what our cost was. I have no problem in admitting to that. Then with others, you will see that the adoption fee may be $200 and our cost for that one pet was $600 and we do not blink when it needs to be done. You see, unfortunately it is a balance that needs to be watched. There are some out there that think that it doesn't cost rescues anything to take care of these animals and I am sorry, but that is just not the case. If it sounds as if I am touch about this subject it is because I am. I do understand that some rescues do have adoptions fee's that are a bit out of control. I mean come on, I looked at one website and because the cost to save this one dogs life was $2500.00 that is what the adoption fee was. As a rescue, you could not ever expect that someone would pay that adoption fee!!! We have spend that on one just one animal in our care a few times but we would could not ask that as the adoption fee. As a matter of fact, we have spend that on a number of animals that for whatever reason didn't make it due to illness or never found their new home and or are still in our care after two years. Here is the thing though, someone will adopt that dog because they want it to love and care for it putting their heart and sole into their new family member for the rest of their lives. And those people I have to applaud!! I hope that you all understand the need for adoption fee's and understand a little more of how it all works. As I said before, it is a balance and no one person could ever do it physically, emotionally or financially.
I know that this is getting TOO long even for me so I am going to stop here for now. There will be more to come at some point but I think this is enough to get this blog started for now. Please feel free to post your options and comments but please remember................. NO FOWL LANGUAGE (or w/@$#$^) and please be respectful of myself, our group and others that post as well.
Thank you for taking the time to read and I look forward to hearing from you.
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