A Chicago-area rescue has big dreams when it comes to caring for some of the dogs they take in that have a slim chance at adoption. The Crossroads Shih Tzu Rescue (CSTR) is currently in the running for a $25,000 Pepsi Refresh Grant that would help the organization achieve its dream of opening a refuge for the dogs they rescue that are considered unadoptable because of significant health or behavioral problems. In essence, it’s a senior dog retirement home.
Since it’s inception in 2008, the CSTR has been committed to saving the dogs that need them the most, specifically senior and special needs dogs. Currently, dogs in their Refuge program stay in foster care either permanently or until they recover enough to be adopted. The organization does take in healthy, adoptable dogs as well.
“The adoption fees from the healthy, adoptable dogs is what helps us be able to save and treat the dogs with health issues and those who may never be healthy enough to be adoptable,” says Leann Lund, president and co-founder of CSTR. “If we filled up all of those spots with unadoptable dogs, we would no longer be able to operate, as we would no longer have adoption fees coming in. The senior dog retirement home would be especially for these unadoptable dogs to live out their lives yet leave foster home spots open for adoptable dogs, as well.”
After dogs are rescued by Crossroads, they are evaluated based on health and behavior. Any dog requiring more than basics – vaccinations/spay/neuter – starts off in the Refuge program. When the health or behavior issues are resolved, they move into the adoption program. If the issues are not resolvable, they remain in the Refuge program with a foster family for life.
One of the dogs helped by the Refuge program earlier this year was Winston, a 16-year-old dog rescued from an Indiana shelter. He was in renal failure and was cared for until he died in early October. Then there is Gizmo, who was 1 1/2 years old, when came into the program from Chicago Animal Care and Control with a broken pelvis, hip and leg. He recovered, moved to the adoption program and now has a home. If CSTR receives the grant money, the retirement home will give them specific spots for the Refuge participants.
“With these open spots, we will be able to take more dogs from puppy mill releases or animal controls that we know have significant health issues and who need a place to live out their lives,” says Lund. “Puppy mill dogs often come with extensive health issues, and we have also had mill dogs come in with little or no socialization. This home would give us the ability to take more of those dogs.”
Unlike a regular election, voters in the Pepsi Refresh Grant are actually encouraged to vote the Chicago way – early and often. You may vote twice a day – once by text and once online – everyday until the end of the month. The organization has been on the verge of breaking the top ten, but needs to make it to the top spot to make their dream a reality. And, as we approach the holiday seasons, there are other ways to help.
“We desperately need donations for our veterinary fund to be able to continue caring for the dogs in our program,” adds Lund. “We also need foster homes so that we can continue taking adoptable dogs. Information may be found on our website.”
Vote for the Pepsi Refresh Grant online and follow Crossroads Shih Tzu Rescue online and on Facebook.
November has been designated Adopt-A-Senior Pet month to help promote the adoption of senior pets from shelters and rescues. During November, I’ll be highlighting the benefits of adopting senior pets, programs available for adopting senior pets and some of the products and services available to assist older pets. Today’s feature looks at Crossroads Shih Tzu Rescues plans for a senior dog retirement home.
Do you volunteer or work for a shelter or rescue that has programs you'd like to promote? Do you work in a pet-rleated business that has an interesting story to tell. If so, contact me at kathypetexam@gmail.com. Enjoy this article? Receive email alerts when new articles become available. Just click on the subscribe button above. You may also follow me on Twitter, Facebook or read my blog.
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