How do I use the Network to help local groups?

The Situation
I got back yesterday from a 4 day visit to Angel Dog Rescue in Georgia. Part of the purpose of my visit was to oversee the rescue of 16 puppies which went from there to New York. These puppies were living in various areas of the town in people's backyards, under sheds or in crawl spaces under houses, some with no mothers because aggressive dogs in the area had killed them. Angel Dog rounded the pups up, parvo tested, treated their medical ailments and gave them their shots. Unfortunately, until the rescue group had been found, the pups had to stay where they were living since there was no available room to take them in. It was not an isolated case, but rather a chronic and sad problem, and although the pups are on their way to a new life, the adults are left in the same tragic living conditions.

Using the Network as a Resource
My trip to Angel Dog Rescue in Georgia was beneficial both to the rescue and myself. I was able to use so much of what the Best Friends Network has to offer to help them. The area in which Angel Dog is located, as is common of rescues in this region, has absolutely no animal shelter, no animal control (the sheriff routinely calls them to deal with dog issues), no spaying or neutering and very little vetting. While there, I toured parts of the four counties the rescue covers. There are dogs everywhere you look that belonged to no one. Many of the dogs are suffering due to a lack of reliable food source and water. Angel Dog is attempting to start a low cost spay/neuter program, but they are so overwhelmed with helping these street dogs they have little time to concentrate on it. I showed Susan from Angel Dog where to obtain info regarding S/N programs on the network as well as where to get printable brochures they can use.

I spent a considerable amount of time printing information from and introducing them to the Resource section of the Network, as it provides much of what they are in need of. We also discussed, among other things, volunteer management, writing bios for their animals for Petfinder, using templates to respond to redundant emails, time management, fundraising as well as providing them with other sources of help and information available to them both on BF and other places. Debbie Vermuelen, a Best Friends volunteer from NY, offered suggestions for keeping up with her email and record keeping.

Using Best Friends’ Sanctuary as a Resource
I visited with six of their foster families (some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met) and offered suggestions as to how they could lessen their workload by utilizing a layout of the animals that is similar to the layout at BF. Although the octagon style would not suit their needs, it was the catalyst for a discussion on how they could rearrange the dog’s pens to give them more room to run while providing a more secure setting for dogs that need to be in a more controlled environment.

I was also able to observe the way the rescue operates in the field. Since they are beyond capacity and have no room to take in more dogs, they often medically treat or quarantine animals wherever they may be or move them to a sympathetic neighbor's yard in the area (if one can be found). They use any number of 6’ individual chain link fencing panels, which they move to wherever they are needed and build a pen around the dog(s). They cart relatively heavy metal sheeting to wherever it's needed to construct a roof to keep them dry. Quite often they coax a neighbor into caring for the animal’s daily needs (ensuring full water bowls, etc…reluctant though the neighbor may be!). If available they run electricity from a house to plug in a fan for them. I would very much like to find them a more portable alternative for them and this is something I’m working on.

I truly feel that by working with these struggling rescues and shelters, making them aware of the resources and information available to them on the Best Friends Network on a one on one basis, will really make a difference in the lives of the animals they care for.

Tammy Heeber
Team Leader, Best Friends Network

posted by Tiffani Hill, Volunteer Manager