“Saving Lives” is why we’re here

Due to inclement weather dogs will not be coming to Medford until Thursday and some will not be available for adoption until Saturday - dogs can be placed on hold.


4 shelters in one day!

I have learned this – live blogs are not possible during the midst of a rescue! The energy required to save so many lives does not allow time for blogging, so once again this will be a midnight blog!

We were on the road again at 7:30 Tuesday morning to travel to smaller shelters in Clovis and Madera. Another shelter in Sanger agreed to meet us at ARF (Animal Rescue of Fresno.) I am actually at a loss of words to describe the pet overpopulation issue here. It is so staggering as to be beyond comprehension. A vast ocean of Chihuahuas greeted us everywhere we went. I actually “fibbed” in my first blog when I stated that we would only bring back a dozen or so due to our concerns about their transition to our cold weather. We could not leave behind terrific, adoptable sweet loving dogs… of the 84 dogs that will be arriving on the Saving Train approximately half will be Chihuahuas or Chih mixes. We will do whatever it takes to insure that we can provide a warm safe environment for them. Hopefully many will find homes right away so they will not have to live in our outside runs.

We have both puppies and adults, large and small, fawn, black, and in-between. The heart-wrenching part is that tan-colored Chihuahuas face the same challenges in this area as large black dogs do where we are. It can be an automatic death sentence, just because there are so many that it is sometimes difficult for individuals to stand out. Shy, reserved, frightened dogs that are disinterested in our presence are not selected to be temperament tested. When every kennel has 6 or more dogs it can be so difficult to choose. There are always kennels filled with small dogs. We look for dogs that are interested in humans but are not totally frantic. There is a very fine line.

I was startled upon first arrival at Madera to find not only a nice, newer adoption center but a “drop box” as well. I will not pass judgment on this practice because at least animals can be left at the shelter instead of dumped somewhere to fend for themselves. But, it was surprising because I thought that practice ended long ago. There are stacked metal boxes that unwanted/stray animals can be placed in after hours. At every shelter we visit there seems to be a procession of people bringing in pets. Hanford had opened for us only on the Martin Luther King holiday and still there were people wanting to surrender pets or found animals despite the fact that the shelter was closed for the holiday.

The weather continued to be stormy and drenching wet but our spirits were lifted by the loving dogs that welcomed the human(e) connection. Despite their situation and all that had happened to them they were forgiving, and their sunny dispositions reflected the warmth in our day. Everywhere we went people thanked us for coming and taking the dogs that we could. Throughout the day as kennels were cleaned and new dogs were transported in them I reflected on the fact that every blanket was donated by someone in our own community who cared. The Saving Train bus was donated, as were the snow tires that will get us home. Another donor gave money to help pay for our gas. What a difference these generous individuals have made for animals that would have no hope otherwise.