Sheltie Rescue - That puppy was cute, but what happened?
As a kid, that was cool because we often got to keep them! And oh how we would wail when Mom determined we had too many already and this particular one had to be "taken to the pound." What an eclectic collection we had over the years.
For the first 5 years out of high school I worked for our local veterinary clinic and became very interested and involved in animal rescue. I began to learn that dumping animals was a rampant problem ... and it is not localized to just our town, our state, our nation. I also began to realize that the "pound" or shelter was not always the best answer.
The next question was, what could I do? It felt so overwhelming!
Bailey - An Indiana Sheltie Rescue alumni
The lens photo above features Bailey, at one time, a 6 month old Sheltie taken to a local vet to be "put down" for agression issues. She looks ferocious, doesn't she? Many times the local vets know about the rescue groups operating in their areas and they will call them, but not always.
This vet called and now Bailey lives harmoniously with 3 people, 2 other dogs, 3 cats, and a bird. She is a very friendly, bright, and athletic little girl with a delightful personality.
I met Bailey when a friend (an Indiana Sheltie Rescue volunteer) was asked to socialize her. Since there was a concern that she was agressive, she could not be adopted easily and needed to be with other dogs to help her out. Immediatly upon her introduction to the other dogs on the "play date" she endeared herself to us all and shortly thereafter my friend adopted her.
Why is it that dogs, with no issues that we can see, are surrendered or dumped?
Help us win $10,000!!!
Help me raise Indiana Sheltie Rescue on the list...maybe they will win something!
1. Just go to the link,
2. Click on Indiana as the state...
3. Then under "All Cities" (listed as the 3rd city in Indiana), just choose Indiana Sheltie Rescue to vote.
And feel free to pass this on! Every vote helps save a homeless animal's life. Please help my shelter win and save homeless pets by voting today.
Click to have sponsers give food to shelters!
Sparky - An Indiana Sheltie Rescue Newbie
One weekend in August, several of us volunteered to help Indiana Sheltie Rescue by picking up Sparky from a northern Indiana shelter and bringing him "home". This particular shelter notified one of our volunteers that he had been surrendered to their facility. (Some kill shelters will do that with Shelties, but not all will take the time.)
Note: Shelties tend to be harder for a shelter to place because they become shy and fearful in that environment.
Sparky is 7 1/2 pounds of loving cuteness!!! And he was a very scared little fella. He wanted to be held most of the drive back and that is unusual for a Sheltie!!
There are many reasons a young dog ends up in a shelter or taken to the vet to be "put down" (or worse, dropped off at the side of the road.) A big reason is that someone falls in love with the cute puppy and does not research the breed. Then the puppy grows up and, "oh, hey, wow...we don't have time for this!" or "Whoa, this is expensive!"
Sparky, on the other hand, was dropped off at a shelter by his own breeder who could not find a home for him! He is a year old.
Note: His sister had been surrendered by the same breeder a few weeks prior and picked up by Indiana Sheltie Rescue. She was quickly adopted.
Sparky is lap dog size, but Sparky is no lap dog. He is a bundle of energy that needs a constructive outlet. These dogs were bred to herd sheep. They want to please their owners, but they want something to do.
UPDATE: SPARKY HAS BEEN ADOPTED!!! Yeah for Sparky!
Handmade Just for Sheltie Lovers...
Links to Handmade/Handcrafted Sheltie Items
- Dog Art Studio on Etsy
- Handpainted acrylic art
- Handpainted keychains!!
- You might be able to commission your own picture! I saw a gorgeous sheltie in the group.
- Sheltie Specialties
- Unique Art
- Allison Strine Design
- Handmade Pendants! Very cute! Search her store for Sheltie items.
- Yazzy Babe's Designs
- Shelite embroidered towels.
Gavin - An Indiana Sheltie Rescue
Gavin the Blind Sheltie Update-Enhanced Version
This is an enhanced version, with more pictures and info, about Gavin the little blind shetland sheepdog found wandering cornfields. Blind dogs, and those with other special needs, do incredibly well. Dogs don't know words like 'disability' or 'handicap', they only crave love, care and companionship from their humans. Please consider adopting a special needs dog. Without adopters, like the ones in this video, many special needs dogs like Gavin would be put to sleep when they have so much love yet to give.
Runtime: 3:02
8620 views
10 Comments:
A Few Wonderful Links
- Indiana Sheltie Rescue
- Our local rescue organization.
- Indiana PAW
- Comprehensive site of links to all things cat and dog rescue in Indiana.
- Bat Rescue
- Ok...so this was just for fun. But the point is, you can find rescue organizations for just about anything!
- Animal Rescue Site
- The Animal Rescue Site focuses the power of the Internet on providing food for some of the 27 million unwanted animals given to shelters in the U.S. every year. Over 10 million animals are put to death every year in the U.S. alone because they are abandoned and unwanted.
- Petfinder.com: Adopt a pet and help an animal shelter rescue a puppy or kitten.
- Adopt a homeless pet (dog or cat) or pets from animal shelters.
Cool Sheltie Stuff
How can we each help?
(And this is not just for Shelties!)
I have a horribly overcrowded lifestyle. No matter how much I try to reduce, there is always more to do!!! However, I have found that rescue groups like (and desperately need) help, any help. And many times it doesn't have to take extra time or money.The Easiest Thing:
Animal Rescue Site has sponsors. If you click on the CLICK HERE TO GIVE button, those sponsors donate $ to feed hungry animals in shelter nationwide.
Education:
One of the next easiest things each of us can do is simple education. Encourage friends and family to get their animal spayed or neutered. Tell them what a kill shelter does. Some people think the shelter will automatically find a home for their unwanted animal. That is not always so.
Socializing the dogs:
This is where I have helped out several times. If the dog can not find a foster home, then they are stuck in a kennel. Even when let out regularly, it is not the best scenario. So "borrowing" a dog for a day to hang out with you or to take on walks helps release pent up energy.
Fostering:
Foster homes are places that care for the dogs until they are adopted. This is sometimes a great way to see if this breed (or a particular dog) is the type for you!
Events and Fundraisers:
Then volunteering at events and fundraisers can be fun. You get to talk with people interested in the animals or run a hot dog stand at an agility trial. There is always something going on!
Spreading the word:
I have a friend who belongs to Toastmasters. She uses topics such as this in her speaches to help spread the word. Some friends drop off brochures in supportive locations. (Some of us write Squidoo pages!) I have also put info up in the lunch room at work, by "door" of my cube, or on the wall inside.
Doggy Volunteers:
If you have a dog, even the dog can volunteer! The photo is from a tv broadcast at our pet store in which Bailey participated.
For more information, do a google search for organizations in your area (or Indiana residents can go to the links section in this lens.)
Most Important Thing ...
Some books we like...
Squidoo Lenses About Animal Rescue
This can be any animal rescue!
Please add your favorites (and it can include any animal rescue) and remember to vote!
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Tell me your story...
Tell your own rescue story! Or give me feedback on what would make this lens more helpful.
CabinFeverStudios wrote...
When your heart mends, I hope you consider contacting one of the Indiana resue organizations. They are overloaded right now...lots of animals being abandoned or dropped off to shelters during these economic hard times. Thanks for dropping by! [in reply to BevsPaper]
Posted May 05, 2009
BevsPaper wrote...
I shared my life with a wonderful Sheltie "Fritz". He looked a lot like Bailey. Smartest dog and sweetest dog I've ever had the pleasure of being loved by. It is a wonderful breed. Someday my heart will have mended enough that I'll get another one.
Posted May 05, 2009
hoosiershelpinghoosiers wrote...
After having pugs for the better part of a couple of decades (pugs that I purchased from ads in the newspaper), I recently adopted an eight year old French Bulldog from a shelter in Ohio. She was a breeder dog and, I guess, had worn out her usefulness. Without a doubt, she is the sweetest dog, most gentle I've ever owned. She loves everyone and everything. It was the first time I'd adopted a dog from a shelter, but it certainly will not be my last.
Posted April 16, 2009
Cabanalolita wrote...
I have rescued four kittens in the past few years, strays born in my backyard and my neighbors''yards. Also, have rescued a cute little Westie once. Love them all!
Posted January 25, 2009
Tiddledeewinks wrote...
I love dogs and my Old English Sheepdog Tobie has gone to Rainbow Bridge and is sadly missed.
Posted October 30, 2008
by CabinFeverStudios
I am beginning with animal rescue and will progress on to q... (more)
