The two most frequent questions we're asked at our events are:
1. "When will you have more dogs?"
2. "When will you have a _______________ (insert breed name here)?"
The first question is relatively easy to answer...but the answer itself is difficult. Every week, we receive emails from desperate shelter workers and volunteers who notify us of wonderful dogs incarcerated in high-kill shelters who have a very short time to live. Usually, less than five days.
We take as many as we have room for...as many as our foster families can take...and then pray that other rescue groups can do the same. The more foster families we have, the more animals we can save.
Then, the transport process begins. Other wonderful volunteers, many senior citizens, drive animals to specific points along the sometimes long route to Magnificent Mutts. Our magic-working volunteer Deb coordinates all of the transports and brings in the dogs. For our group, this usually happens on Saturdays and Tuesdays.
The animals are then immediately "vetted" -- taken to the vet -- to be examined, get shots, whatever needs to be done. Sometimes it's a short process, sometimes a spay or neuter is required. Then, the dog goes to a foster family, to see how the dog behaves around other dogs, cats, kids -- so we know when you come in to adopt, that the dog is really the dog for you, and for your home.
The second question is easy to answer -- we don't know when we'll get a (insert breed here). We love all dogs and save as many as we can fit in the foster homes we have available. We are an "all-breed" shelter. We save them all and love them all. That's also why many stores like to have us adopt from their location -- there is something for everyone. All we can do is to advise you to check the website regularly, as new dogs come in every week.
In the past few weeks alone, we've had a Smooth Coat Collie, two Pomeranians, Schnauzers, German and Aussie Shepherds, mixed breeds, tiny puppies and a huge Mastiff. Our dogs come in all colors, shapes and sizes but they have one thing in common: they all had just days to live in high-kill shelters.
So the answer to the second question is always no, we really don't know what dog will walk through our doors. We only care that they will get a second chance at life with a kind person like you.
Thank you for adopting a shelter dog.