Blind and abused, but still going strong!

Many rescue dogs come with special needs, and more so when they are blind. One of the reasons we chose Blind Dog Rescue Alliance (BDRA) as our Animal Wellness Rescue of the Month for September was due to the heartbreaking thought of dogs who are not only blind, but have also been abused, neglected, or abandoned. Can you imagine being both blind and abused?

BDRA networks to find foster and forever homes for blind and visually impaired dogs throughout the United States and Canada. BDRA also has a sanctuary for dogs that do not find homes. Karen Belfi, one of the founders and president of BDRA, adopted her first blind dog back in 1999. He was up for adoption for 2 years, and no one was interested. He was gorgeous, and so sweet. She thought, how could people not want him, just because he couldn't see? He was born blind. Karen has since fostered 20 dogs through BDRA.

Eye problems can be an issue in many dogs, especially ones reaching old age. We often receive questions from readers about remedies for eye problems, and tips for helping their dogs cope with visual impairment. Some BDRA rescuers generously weighed in and have offered some great advice from their experiences of fostering and rescuing blind or visually impaired dogs.

The biggest challenge is training, since in addition to regular training, dogs also have to be taught how to find their way around. One tip is to teach the dog a “watch” command. They know to slow down and feel for an obstacle. "Step" is for stairs, a curb, etc. Other good verbal commands are “stop,” “forward,” and “wait.”

In houses with multiple dogs, putting noisy tags on all the dogs, so the blind ones can find the others is very helpful. A light tap on the nose to signal 'No' as well as citronella collars can help for training purposes, too. Sometimes people put scented dots on the floor that can lead to doors, etc., but these are not very effective with dogs that do not have keen noses. Stairs are not challenging for going up, but going down requires a dog to step off into space, and that is scary.

BDRA has many helpful tips on their website. If you’d like to donate to BDRA, they receive donations through their site. As well, Animal Wellness Magazine is donating 40% of subscription sales whenever anyone subscribes using promo code AWA149. Subscribe here to help BDRA and get a great magazine!

There was a constant thread in the emails we received from BDRA rescuers: blind and visually impaired dogs are more like other dogs than people think. They can be friendly with strangers, playful, calm, sweet, and al around terrific companions. Despite the challenges with training, blind dogs are, for the most part, the same as any other dog!

We partnered with some great companies who donated to our Rescue of the Month. Thank you to these companies for donating to BDRA with us! 

Be Pawsitive - A monthly box of organic dog treats that give back!

Wondercide Organics - Natural and organic solutions for pets, plants, and people!

Canine Omega3 (Ascenta Health) - Omega3 supplements!

Rescuing the Bostons

We all know that people who volunteer and work with rescue organizations are dedicated and hard-working individuals. What's truly wonderful is when that hard work is recognized and rewarded.

For example, after rescuing and helping homeless and needy Boston Terriers on her own, Ana-Maria Davies was approached by the Boston Terrier Club of Canada to create the BTCC Rescue Program and represent the Club as BTCC National Rescue Representative. Over the years, these endeavours turned into a non-profit charitable organization called Boston Terrier Rescue Canada (BTRC).

Rather than operate from a central facility, BTRC is a network of volunteers and individuals that work to rescue and place Boston Terriers in foster and forever homes. They also provide safe havens, medical care, transport, and training. 

We definitely understand why the BTRC volunteers are so committed to rescuing Boston Terriers! Referred to as the "American Gentleman" this breed is highly intelligent and very easily trained. They are also super friendly, despite their occasional stubbornness. And they are oh-so-cute! 

We recently started a donation program that we coordinate through our Facebook page. Based on recommendations from our Facebook fans, we choose a rescue organization every month and make a donation.

The best part of the program has been hearing all the wonderful stories about rescue organizations and animal adoption! We received recommendations from people who supported both big and small organizations, from all over the world.

We were very impressed by the support and dedication shown by the supporters of Boston Terrier Rescue Canada and are proud to announce BTRC as our July rescue organization. Thanks for all the hard work you do!

BTRC is an Animal Wellness Ambassador. 40% of our subscriptions purchased using their promo code will be donated to BTRC! It's a great way to donate- you help rescue dogs AND you get magazines full of natural health information! Just enter code AWA031 when entering your payment info: https://animalwellnessmagazine.com/sub2013/subscribe.php

Several companies donated to BTRC with us. We'd like to thank DERMagic, Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage, ZippityPooDa, and Rope-N-Go. It's important to support the companies who are contributing to rescue organizations. Please visit them on Facebook and thank them for their donations! (Just click on the company names above.)

Braving the Southern Alberta Floods

There is a lot of hard work involved with rescuing animals. Volunteers and workers put in countless hours caring for rescued animals and arranging adoptions. However, these tasks just barely scrape the surface of the work rescue organizations really do.

Recently, we've heard a lot about the efforts of rescue organizations during natural disasters like the tornado in Oklahoma. Operating a rescue organization is difficult enough under normal circumstances, but what happens in the wake of an emergency?

Last week, the beginning of a devastating flood hit Southern Alberta. Not only were rescues and shelters swamped with incoming animals, but they had to care for their existing animals, too.

Boston Terrier Rescue Canada was one of these groups and admirably rose to the challenges the flooding presented. A large transport of rescue dogs was scheduled prior to the flooding. These dogs were on their way to foster homes and desperately needed the care and attention the fosters would provide.

A lot of the rescue dogs were so malnourished that their ribs showed through their taut skin. Some of them desperately wanted to cuddle, but were afraid to get too close.

Then the flooding started and Boston Terrier Rescue had to make a decision: did they forego the transport or did they go ahead with it, even if it meant extra work and braving the flooded roads?

Boston Terrier Rescue decided to continue with the scheduled transport and their decision speaks volumes of the kinds of dedicated people who work and volunteer with rescue organizations.

Thanks to Boston Terrier Rescue, a number of dogs will be placed with new homes and will get the love they deserve.

If you would like to support or donate to Boston Terrier Rescue Canada, please visit their website at http://www.bostonterrierrescuecanada.com/

Would you like to become an Animal Wellness Ambassador? 40% of every subscription you sell will be donated to a rescue of your choice! Click here for more information: http://www.animalwellnessmagazine.com/aw-ambassadors/

You can also help by purchasing a subscription! Use this promo code: Save Calgary  
40% of your subscription will be donated to rescue shelters in Calgary, Alberta!
https://animalwellnessmagazine.com/sub2013/subscribe.php

Rescuing Animals in the Great White North!

Our Animal Wellness Ambassadors span the globe, reaching as far north as the SPCA in the Canadian Northwest Territories:

"We are a non-profit organization that has been around since the mid 80's.  A few years ago we seriously started looking for land and a way to have an animal shelter. Up to that point we did not have a shelter but helped out the local vet which is also the city pound.  The SPCA started a foster program 2 1/2 years ago but quickly realized we needed a home of our own. There were and still are way too many dogs in the north to help.  We opened our doors last October 2012. We did not have enough money to build all of the kennels (30), but settled on 15 plus 10 condos in the cat room.  As an Ambassador we hope to get the word out to the country about the problems in the North and hopefully find the means to mitigate the problems. The first step is to get veterinary care into isolated communities where there is a dog over-population and diseases. Shooting dogs is the only way to control this in the northern communities. This vet service mobile program will go hand in hand with education. We are starting to make some progress in this regard but we have a long way to go."

A pup named Skye was recently adopted by a family in Washington.  Quite the adventure for the little girl. She was sent to NWT SPCA from Kugluktuk Nunavut last month.

There are plenty more animals waiting to be adopted. There is a fantastic, lovable girl named Sheba, who came from a northern community, who was about to be shot. She is a few years old and has had several litters. She must have been a former sled dog or have mushing dog in her blood because she can run like the wind. She would be incredible for recreational ski-jorring or kick sledding.

The NWT SPCA is also trying to re-home a blind dog named Chopin. He is 6 years old and lost his sight about 2 years ago. The children in his family are little and are  too much for the dog to handle. The owners are afraid he will become agressive due to his disability adn nervousness. He is a lovely boy that needs a quiet home with the proper owner.

Rescue organizations frequently hold events in order to raise funds. The next NWT SPCA event will be the Peterson and Auger Golf Tournament in June. Last year was the first one and the company decided they would do the event every year. Last year they raised about $7000. As well, on June 21 there is the Annual NWT Riders -Midnight Sun Motorcycle Run. In July is the Shelter Grand Opening which should be a big open house event. 

Things get quite busy at the shelter! There are always dogs coming in and flying out. Programs include dog walking and volunteers dropping in to help. Trevor is the only paid employee and he is there monday to friday from 7-2 pm. All other hours are covered by us board members and volunteers. There is also a special needs community program called School to Work Transition happening twice a week that allows 4 young people the chance to get into the community doing jobs. There is food being donated, crate pick ups from the airport that have arrived back from Edmonton after a shipment of dogs. There is something going on every day. It can get over whelming and frustrating when there is so much to do and not enough people to do it.

The NWT SPCA says they were very excited to be a part of the ANimals Wellness Article this spring. "It was a huge deal for all of us at the NWT SPCA. We are looking forward to continuing the role in the future".

https://www.facebook.com/nwtspca?ref=hl

 

http://nwtspca.com/