Rescuing Keeshond, Australian Shepherd, and Miniature Schnauzer Rescue in Southern Middle TN
UPDATE 9-08: Kidding season is upon us here at the farm so we are busy with the goats. Because of this and more I cannot take in or foster anymore animals until probably after October or maybe even later than that. We are financially unable to care for anymore at this time as all of our resources are from out of pocket due to the lack of donations this year and we cannot afford all the medical, surgical, and daily financial care they all need. We can provide feed and monthly treatments for the dogs we have, and the kittens have had their first vaccinations and been tested and of course we will pay for their feed also, but beyond this we simply cannot afford anymore animals due to the expense they incur.
We simply cannot accept anymore animals.
I would love to rescue each and every animal out there...but this is the real world and that cannot be done. Therefore my main concentration are the breeds I am most familiar with. These are Keeshond, Australian Shepherd, and Miniature Schnauzer. Don't get me wrong. I'm not against mix breeds. We own mix breeds ourselves. But there are other local rescues that will take them in and since we are limited in what we can do due to space and funding we have chosen to rescue these breeds for now. I occasionally do take in purebreds of other breeds.
I will take into rescue in this order as room allows: Purebred Keeshonds, Purebred Aussies, Purebred Schnauzers, Keesie mixes, Aussie mixes, schnauzer mixes.
After that other purebreds may find haven here as space allows.
We are NOT a cat rescue. All of our cats are tested and we cannot risk exposing them to diseases. However, if you have a cat that needs rescue and you take it to the vet and have it tested, we will possibly take it in if we have room. You must provide proof it has been tested for FELV/FIV via your vet papers before I will take it into rescue. The test for this ranges from $28-$35 here in Marshall County. I ask that you do this test and absorb this cost and I will get the vaccinations and other medical things required for the cats care.
We ask if you ask us to take in an animal to rescue, you donate at least once, financially, even if it is only a few dollars, to it's care. Everything we have done so far comes completely out of our pockets, and as of right now we are a NOT a 501c3 so we do pay our taxes on every bag of food or any care we give the animals.
Also, do NOT drive by and drop animals off expecting us to take them. This is cruel as we live right off the road on a major highway and the animals run the risk of being hit by cars passing by. Just this past weekend (8-3-08) a black cat was dropped off and killed when she was hit by a car when she darted back across the road after being 'dropped off'.
Who I AM
I am a caring individual who love animals (ask my husband and friends!). It's that simple. This started as a brainchild of mine and I hope it will grow in the way that it is needed in this area.
We make no profit on this and operate out of a single household, and the initial money/investment/supplies come out of my pockets and donations from caring individuals.
What I Do
My goal is to place homeless, strays, and unwanted Keeshonden, Australian Shepherds, and Miniature Schnauzers in caring permanent homes or at least foster homes until a permanent one can be found for them. Sick and diseased animals will be dealt with in humanely a way as possible to alleviate their suffering. Unfortunately this may involve euthanasia by a veterinarian from time to time.
Where Do They Come From?
Animals that are with me come from lots of places. People who simply do not have the means to care for their animals anymore, a stray along the side of the road, litters of unwanted puppies or kittens, or someone who just has no other alternative other than euthanization of an otherwise healthy animal. We want to be that alternative. We also foster for other Keeshond rescue organizations and constantly monitor the surrounding shelters and facilities.
I ask that you do NOT bring us a severely sick or debilitated animal merely to get it off your hands and have someone else care for it. I prefer to receive healthy animals so that the euthanization rate is low. That is not a slander, that is a necessity. Disposal of a euthanized animal is not easily done in this area, and the work required to bury the dead would be all too time consuming, not to mention hard to find a place to bury them.
ONCE YOU TURN IN AN ANIMAL TO OUR CARE YOU RELINQUISH ALL FUTURE RIGHTS TO THAT ANIMAL AND YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO SIGN A FORM STATING THIS.
Do NOT pick up animals off the road assuming they are lost or dumped. Chances are it is only right down the drive from it's home, but when you pick it up and carry it off, chances are it may never find it's way back home. I will not respond to calls about a 'stray' animal wandering down the road. I do NOT pick up apparently healthy animals found wandering a road here in this county. This is RURAL TN...and like it or not people let their animals wander. Keep in mind what you may be picking up may be a child's family pet. Unless it is injured let it be.
What Can I Do?
I am in need of volunteer labor for fencing and building purposes...people with time available to help us put up new fences and enclosures and buildings. This could be a one day thing or a weekend excursion. All materials and supplies are provided for the work. You just provide the labor. To help you out, we do have a camper on the property that you could stay in for short term to help us out labor wise. Meals would be provided and the camper has electricity and water, gas appliances, and a microwave, and A/C. Contact me if this is something you would be interested in doing.
I are also in need of donations, whether it be in the form of supplies, food, or monetary means for the sustaining of these foster 'children' while they are in my care.
What Can I Expect?
You can expect loving care and attention when you contact me. Why? Because I am an animal lovers and pet owner myself, and will treat each animal as if it were my own. Whether adopting an animal or volunteering to take and foster home a pet, rest assured that compatibility is a key issue with me. You will have to meet the criteria for both adopting and fostering a pet. These will be discussed with you upon contact or see the links below. These animals have probably been traumatized enough in their lives. My goal is to see that each animal finds it's place in the world, and I will do my best to see that your home is that place.
Each animal upon receipt will be checked over by me. If it is determined to be healthy for adoption it will be wormed and given a Rabies vaccination if old enough. All adult dogs will be heartworm checked and spayed or neutered before it leaves here. All puppies will be started on Heartgard and if 6 months old and still here will be spayed or neutered. No animal will be spayed before 6 months of age. You must agree to have it done if adopted prior to reaching this age and pay a $25 fee which will be refunded to you upon proof of the spay/neuter. If the animal is sickly and short term medical attention required then the animal will be vet checked and treated accordingly.
Dr. Jennifer Byrd at All About Animals in Chapel Hill TN is my rescue vet.
Unfortunately animals with a chronic disease or a contagious one will be humanely euthanized by a veterinarian. This operates out of my home and it is not feasible at this time to take care of badly injured, sick, or debilitated animals. All efforts will be made to avoid this, but in some cases it humanely must be done.
What Kinds of Animals?
At the present time due to the workload required and the area needed for this project I can only take small animals. These include but are not limited to:
Who Do I Contact?
I alone operate this service at the current time. I'm the heart and soul of CAReS. If you wish to make a donation contact me or if you are in need of animal placement or wish to volunteer as a foster parent or are in need of a pet contact me. You may use any of the following means.
Susan - Volunteers and Pet Adoption
931-276-2578
931-637-5254 Mobile
Our paypal account takes check, credit card, and automatic transfers. If you would like to donate to CAReS you may do so by sending a check or money order to:
Critterhaven
PO Box 31
Belfast TN 37019
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