Friday 12 July 2013

Rescuing the Little White Dogs

There is an image of the common rescue dog: starving, skinny, full of mange, injured, destitute. While this description is true for many dogs that arrive at shelters, there is another common type of rescue dog: the purebred dog that an owner spent hundreds of dollars on, only to discover the breed wasn't the one they really wanted.


This type of rescue dog is so prevalent that a number of rescue organizations exist to mitigate the high numbers of abandoned purebreds. A nice idea to keep in mind the next time you're thinking of buying a purebred dog is to adopt one from an organization that specializes in rescuing the breed you're looking for. These organizations are experts in the breeds they work with, and can offer great advice and tips on how to care for the dogs.

There's also a need to help surrenders: people who have to give up their dog due to any number of circumstances, such as a new baby, moving, and divorce. The thought of giving a beloved dog to a shelter can be heartbreaking, and purebred rescues serve a very real need by placing these dogs with foster homes.

When we were at the Toronto Woofstock in June, we ran into one of our Ambassadors that is a purebred rescue organization. We were delighted to see Animal Wellness Ambassadors "Westies in Need" (WiN), and even more delighted that they were selling chocolates as a fundraiser. (Have you ever been to one of these trade shows? Dog cookies and treats everywhere, but few for humans! We'd been craving something sweet all day!)


Westies in Need is the largest Westie rescue organization in Canada and a registered Not for Profit. They are a volunteer rescue group, providing care for Westies that have been surrendered, taken from puppy mills or are in danger of losing their lives in local Animal Control facilities. 

WiN does not have a shelter or physical location. Instead, they operate through a tight-knit network of rescue coordinators and foster homes, trying to rescue as many Westies as possible. 

Their mission: "Rescue Westies, get immediate medical attention to those in need, foster Westies in a safe, attentive environment, find them loving and forever homes and to also educate the general public to the need for spaying and neutering dogs and the perils of puppy mills."

At Animal Wellness Magazine, we love all breeds of dogs. As for Westies, how can you not fall in love with them? They look like little puffs of white clouds. And have you seen one in a bow tie? It's like a dapper little old man. Too cute!
  

The success stories on the WiN website  are full of Westie cuteness and heartwarming tales. There are stories like Faith's, who was found wandering, alone and scared in Taipai, Taiwan. A Facebook fan from Taiwan contacted WiN, who got her placed into a shelter. Faith is scheduled to fly to Canada on July 18th to her new home!

Faith's story is just one of many. WiN's volunteers are constantly working and fundraising so they can give forever homes to all their Westies. WiN has a Toronto Westie Walk and Fun Day on September 8th, 2013 and an  Ottawa Westie Walk and Fun Day on September 15th, 2013. Love Westies? Consider participating!

WiN also has an active Facebook Page. Drop by and give them a visit! You can also visit their website:
http://www.westiesinneed.com/index.html

Want to get involved in our Ambassador Program? Click HERE for info: http://www.animalwellnessmagazine.com/aw-ambassadors/








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