Giving Tuesday is November 29th!
What are we celebrating? With your help, a new van! We are so excited to share that Tito’s Handmade Vodka and their Vodka for Dog People Foundation has awarded Better Together Dog Rescue $20,000 towards purchasing a van. This van will not only provide transport for out-of-state and in-state dogs, but it will also launch the mobile pet food pantry and free store for our community members in need. As aligned with our mission, the pantry will support pet owners so that they can keep their animals at home with them where they belong. By providing supplemental help, animals will not have to be surrendered to the shelters when their owners are facing a challenging time in their life. Giving Tuesday is on Tuesday, November 29th! This global movement encourages people to do good. Consider donating to our fundraiser to get us one step closer to purchasing a Better Together Dog Rescue van. This van will be an instrumental part in continuing our mission of supporting dogs and the people who love them. Every dollar matters! Swap out your Dunkin' Donuts coffee order and make a donation instead.
Van Fundraiser: https://gofund.me/22d3cb2e
General donations: paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/4331205
* Current foster dogs available for adoption https://www.bettertogetherdogrescue.org/about-3
We Hit The Ground Running
It has been just about a year since my last blog post, and there is good reason! On December 6, 2021, we transported our first four dogs up from Texas. Since then, our small but mighty team, has rescued 225 dogs from Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and Massachusetts. All dogs have been placed in forever and foster homes. We are proud to say that we have transported dogs of all ages, breeds and abilities into our organization.
* Boots on the ground in Cleveland, Texas ( We were able to rescue the two German Shepherds and all three shed puppies).
An Epidemic in our Country
In July 2022, board member Megan Keefe and I hopped on a plane and visited our rescue partners in Cleveland, Texas. We felt it was important for us to see what our partners were going through on a regular basis. Thanks to your generosity, we raised monetary funds and brought a suitcase full of supplies for the shelter and street dogs of Cleveland. We joined our partners for two nights of feedings, where we drove around from approximately 7pm-1am feeding and watering the stray population. What Megan and I witnessed will never be forgotten. Hundreds of dogs who are homeless, bellies full of worms, painful skin conditions, injured, senior pregnant females, puppies, dead dogs, and to top it all off, a Pitbull that was thrown out of a vehicle right in front of our eyes. Needless to say, this was an eye opening experience. To think that in 2022, there are places like this in our country. It was heartbreaking. We have been working since to see how we can help to reduce the stray population through spay/neuter efforts. Stay tuned!
* Penny was thrown out of a truck right in front of us. We took her immediately without a plan and thankfully an emergency foster stepped up. She was spayed and treated for ringworm and heartworm, two very expensive treatments.
* Penny made it! After months of treatment, Penny took her freedom ride up north and is in a foster-to-adopt home. This is your generosity making a impact!
Moving forward!
We have so much more to share, but we will save it for the next blog post! Meanwhile, we hope you, your family and your furry friends have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Warmly,
Jenny
Upcoming Events:
11/26- Meet & Greet Event & donation collection, 10am-2pm, Tractor Supply, 30 Turkey Hill Rd, Belchertown, MA 01007
11/29- Giving Tuesday! 12am-11:59pm, Online, https://gofund.me/22d3cb2e
12/1-12/11- Empty the Shelters sponsored by the Bissell Foundation, $50 adoption fees
12/3- Meet & Greet Event & donation collection, 10am-2pm, Tractor Supply, 30 Turkey Hill Rd, Belchertown, MA 01007
12/3- BTDR Info table & raffle, Christmas at Riverton, 12pm-3pm, Old Riverton Inn, 436 E River Rd, Riverton, CT https://www.rivertonct.com/events/2022-christmas-in-riverton
12/4- BTDR Info table & raffle, 3pm-5pm, Pet Pictures with Santa, Hampshire Mall, 367 Russell St, Hadley, MA 01035 https://www.hampshiremall.com/event/pet-night-with-santa-2/
12/5- BTDR Info table & raffle, 5pm-7pm, Pet Pictures with Santa, Holyoke Mall, 50 Holyoke St, Holyoke, MA 01040 https://www.holyokemall.com/event/pet-night-with-santa/
12/11- BTDR Info table & raffle, 3pm-5pm, Pet Pictures with Santa, Hampshire Mall, 367 Russell St, Hadley, MA 01035 https://www.hampshiremall.com/event/pet-night-with-santa-3/
12/12- BTDR Info table & raffle, 5pm-7pm, Pet Pictures with Santa, Holyoke Mall, 50 Holyoke St, Holyoke, MA 01040 https://www.holyokemall.com/event/pet-night-with-santa/
SCAN TO LEARN MORE!
