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October 2024 Spotlight: Husky Education and Rescue Team
October 2024 Spotlight Husky Education and Rescue Team The Siberian Husky has become the third most popular dog among shelter pets in the US. They are also one of the harder breeds to own, and due to their beautiful appearance, Huskies often wind up in the hands of uneducated and inexperienced owners. Husky Education And Rescue Team is a 501c3 animal welfare organization who specializes in the Siberian Husky breed. Founded in 2017, H-E-A-R-T rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes Siberian Huskies along the east coast states. Their focus is rescuing Huskies from euthanasia in kill shelters. Over 1200 Huskies later, the organization prides themselves on their successful placement rate crediting the time they take to educate potential adopters and the public about the breed. H-E-A-R-T’s website provides a wealth of information on the breed and encourages potential owners to educate themselves before getting a Husky. The rescue often says the first key to successful Husky ownership is to have a great sense of humor. This breed will keep you laughing with their antics, but you have to embrace those larger than life personalities. It’s very important to remember a Husky isn’t just a pair of beautiful blue eyes, but a living, breathing, feeling, lifetime commitment. H-E-A-R-T is primarily a foster based rescue with a small rescue center in Maryland and a sanctuary in North Carolina. Their program is designed to handle 40 dogs at a given time and their rescue spots stay full year round. H-E-A-R-T takes on special cases such as medical issues, behavioral issues, seniors and bonded pairs in addition to highly adoptable Huskies. Additionally, H-E-A-R-T runs a breed specific training program known as HELP (Harmonious Environment and Learning Principles). Huskies are intelligent, independent and stubborn. Training this breed of dogs is not like training other breeds. Their HELP program is designed to support struggling owners with access to resources and expertise to prevent them from surrendering their Husky to shelters. Husky Education And Rescue Team runs solely on volunteer efforts and is funded by adoption fees and donations. 4Knines learned about H-E-A-R-T from a customer who is also a supporter of the non-profit. We are proud to shine a light on the work of H-E-A-R-T by making a donation to support their mission and hope you will consider a donation as well! Help 4Knines Give Back Does your local animal advocacy group deserve recognition and support? We invite you to nominate them to be our next Spotlight. Fill out the form at the button below and our dedicated team will reach out. Let's join forces to make a positive impact! Help 4Knines Give Back Does your local animal advocacy group deserve recognition and support? We invite you to nominate them to be our next Spotlight. Fill out the form at the button below and our dedicated team will reach out. Let's join forces to make a positive impact! Spotlight Nomination Form Learn How 4Knines Gives Back ➜
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September 2024 Spotlight: Heart & Soul Dog Rescue
September 2024 Spotlight Heart & Soul Dog Rescue Heart & Soul Dog Rescue's mission is to rescue dogs from New Jersey's overcrowded shelters. Jacky, founder and president of Heart & Soul Dog Rescue, began volunteering at a high-kill, inner city shelter in 2018, but prior to this, she had been saving dogs off the streets for 15 years. Shortly after she began volunteering, and after the devastating loss of her second pitbull, Jacky adopted her first rescued dog. The new dog was chaotic, and Jacky had no clue how to handle her. So she enrolled in classes to become a trainer and decided to make it her mission to rescue dogs who were often overlooked because of behavioral issues typically associated with kennel stress. After working with many rescues throughout the years, Jacky realized it was her time to start her own nonprofit. So in 2023, Heart & Soul Dog Rescue was born. Jacky put together an amazing team including board members, Megan and Colleen, and volunteers, Melanie, Jonathan, Darlene, and Jordan. Utilizing their combined talents, Heart & Soul Dog Rescue has grown quickly, and in just over one year, the team has rescued 17 dogs and placed them in amazing new homes. Each Heart & Soul Dog Rescue success story is unique and may involve a multitude of approaches to include rehabilitation, socialization, training, and advocating for the underdog. Red is one such story. After living in a shelter for 2.5 years, Red was doomed for euthanasia through no fault of his own. Thankfully, Heart & Soul Dog Rescue was able to secure a board and trainer for Red and ultimately placed him with the most amazing adopter. Red has been such a pleasure since the day he was rescued and he is now living his very best life which is more than anyone dreamed could have happened. Another amazing success story is Ruger, who was rescued from a shelter in March 2024. Ruger arrived with two embedded metal wires in his neck and was covered in maggots. He had been so mistreated, Jacky’s team thought he would never trust a human again, but they had a great feeling about Ruger, so they took a chance on him. Ruger was able to be rehabilitated, learned to trust again, and is currently living in a foster-to-adopt home. These are just two incredible Heart & Soul Dog Rescue success stories - there are many more stories and the team will continue doing their best to always watch out for the overlooked and misunderstood underdogs. Most people tend to walk past the shelter dogs who are going crazy in their kennels, but Heart & Soul Dog Rescue gravitates toward these dogs because they recognize and understand the dogs are screaming for help. With a trainer on their board, Heart & Soul Dog Rescue is able to rehabilitate dogs with behavioral issues and get ready for adoption. After adoptions are complete, Heart & Soul Dog Rescue continues to provide the adoptive family with training. In addition, this amazing non-profit offers FREE boarding for all adopted dogs when their new families go on vacation (ample advance notice is required for booking)!. All rescued dogs come fully vaccinated, spayed/neutered, and trained. Heart & Soul Dog Rescue is a 501c3 non-profit animal organization that relies on donations from supporters to continue providing services to these amazing dogs. No contribution is too small! 4Knines also likes to support the underdog, and we are delighted to help raise awareness for Heart & Soul Dog Rescue as they continue to grow! We hope you will consider donating to Heart & Soul Dog Rescue so Jacky and her team can keep doing the hard work of rescuing forgotten dogs who deserve a new beginning. Help 4Knines Give Back Does your local animal advocacy group deserve recognition and support? We invite you to nominate them to be our next Spotlight. Fill out the form at the button below and our dedicated team will reach out. Let's join forces to make a positive impact! Help 4Knines Give Back Does your local animal advocacy group deserve recognition and support? We invite you to nominate them to be our next Spotlight. Fill out the form at the button below and our dedicated team will reach out. Let's join forces to make a positive impact! Spotlight Nomination Form Learn How 4Knines Gives Back ➜
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August 2024 Spotlight: True Love Rescue
August 2024 Spotlight True Love Rescue True Love Rescue, based in Lodi California, is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to the rescue of Golden Retrievers. Their mission is to rescue displaced, abused, abandoned, or neglected dogs and find them a well-deserved forever loving home. True Love Rescue places over 200 dogs a year and is committed to meeting the needs of the Golden Retriever breed both locally and internationally. True Love Rescue was founded by Board President Jill Morgan in 2012 when she adopted a Golden (Harley) through a partnership with a rescue in Taiwan. Harley was found in a landfill and was in poor condition weighing only 35 pounds. Harley became the inspiration for True Love Rescue, and although he recently passed, his legacy continues. Through continued partnerships with rescue groups in Taiwan, True Love Rescue supports the rescue of large-breed stray dogs - many of whom are abandoned family pets forced to live on the streets and are in desperate need of love and care. There are thousands of stray dogs living in the island nation. Finding new homes for strays is difficult and shelters are beyond capacity, so True Love Rescue flies rescued dogs to Northern California where many wonderful families await their arrival. The True Love Rescue team has grown over the years and is made up of a network of volunteers around California, Arizona, and Nevada. Their experienced volunteers are able to care for puppies, adults, seniors and special needs dogs. All rescued dogs are given a thorough physical exam that includes vaccinations, spay/neuter (age dependent), microchipping, and parasite testing/treatment. During the pandemic, many backyard puppy mills started popping up as the demand for puppies increased. True Love Rescue has been able to bring many of these breeding adults and puppies into their rescue and place them in homes where they never have to breed again. True Love Rescue is committed to shutting down irresponsible breeders and to give overbred dogs and their puppies a new lease on life. 4Knines is proud to shine a light on the tireless efforts of True Love Rescue’s volunteers. Please join us in supporting this nonprofit by making a donation or contributing to their upcoming Woof, Wag, and Wine fundraiser in Lodi, California. Help 4Knines Give Back Does your local animal advocacy group deserve recognition and support? We invite you to nominate them to be our next Spotlight. Fill out the form at the button below and our dedicated team will reach out. Let's join forces to make a positive impact! Help 4Knines Give Back Does your local animal advocacy group deserve recognition and support? We invite you to nominate them to be our next Spotlight. Fill out the form at the button below and our dedicated team will reach out. Let's join forces to make a positive impact! Spotlight Nomination Form Learn How 4Knines Gives Back ➜
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July 2024 Spotlight: Canine Companions
July 2024 Spotlight Canine Companions One in four Americans live with a disability and Canine Companions is here to help! Established in 1975, Canine Companions is the largest non-profit provider of service dogs in the United States. At no cost to clients, Canine Companions provides service dogs to adults, children, and veterans with disabilities and facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice, and educational settings. A Canine Companions service dog enhances independence for clients with a wide range of disabilities, including multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, stroke, hearing loss, developmental delay, veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, and more. By helping clients overcome physical, psychological and social barriers, Canine Companions service dogs help their humans live with greater independence. 4Knines learned about Canine Companions from a customer (Jimmy) who was recently matched with his service dog, Maximo. Jimmy has graciously permitted 4Knines to share his Canine Companions journey in his own words: "I am proud to say I have successfully completed my Service Dog training with Canine Companions Northeast Training Center. Canine Companions is a Non-Profit Service Dog Organization offering all of their dogs free of charge to their recipients. They are also the biggest Service Dog Organization in the country. During my training, I was matched with Maximo, and he will be my forever PTSD Service Dog. I had extreme fear and anxiety. I’ve been on endless medications, had endless PTSD episodes, and endless therapy sessions, but I’ve always known this service dog was the missing puzzle piece. To not feel judged by such a pure animal and loved no matter what means the world. To not have to rely on another medication or another side effect is truly amazing. In these short 2 weeks Max has been everything I could have asked for in a service dog and more. Maximo has brought things out of me that I haven’t seen in years of myself. Such as getting me out of the house a bit more, making me more confident, and helping subside my PTSD symptoms. Sure, I still have mental illness, but Maximo can help me live better with it. I dreamed of this, I worked extremely hard for this. And I am proud of myself. I am thankful my husband provided endless support and love during my ongoing battle with mental struggles and for keeping me focused on this end goal. Thanks to my husband and Maximo, I am excited for our future. I cannot thank Canine Companions for this amazing opportunity and their extremely kind staff. The trainers worked us hard, but it was all worth it in the end. The classmates I graduated with have become lifelong friends. I’m so happy for us all and our matches, and I am forever grateful. Cheers to what lies ahead with our little family." Jimmy’s story is one of many testimonials illustrating how the unconditional love of a dog, coupled with the extensive breeding, training, and care provided to every Canine Companions human-service dog team can truly be life changing for everyone. As Jimmy mentioned, Canine Companions does not charge for service dogs or for the lifetime of ongoing support they provide. As a result, they depend on private funding through donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and community organizations. 4Knines is honored to shine a light on the philanthropic work of Canine Companions! We hope you will consider making a donation to support their mission to provide expertly trained service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities. Help 4Knines Give Back Does your local animal advocacy group deserve recognition and support? We invite you to nominate them to be our next Spotlight. Fill out the form at the button below and our dedicated team will reach out. Let's join forces to make a positive impact! Help 4Knines Give Back Does your local animal advocacy group deserve recognition and support? We invite you to nominate them to be our next Spotlight. Fill out the form at the button below and our dedicated team will reach out. Let's join forces to make a positive impact! Spotlight Nomination Form Learn How 4Knines Gives Back ➜
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June 2024 Spotlight: Cody's Friends Charity
June 2024 Spotlight Cody's Friends Charity Cody’s Friends is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, dedicated to improving the lives of people in need and their pets, founded by Cody Allen in 2011 when he was ten years old. It all started with a school project about John F. Kennedy’s famous quote, "Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country." The quote challenged and inspired the fifth-grader, so he asked his mom if he could start a charity helping people and pets with donated pet food. Cody and his mom began making flyers and passing them around their neighborhood. For the next four years, they drove around in mom’s minivan picking up donations off of people’s front porches and hand-delivering them to people in need and to animal rescue groups. Thirteen years later, Cody’s Friends continues to support the crucial bond between human and animal welfare. Those in need will do all they can for their pet - even if it means feeding them their own food. In 2023, Cody's Friends distributed almost two million pounds of pet food and critical pet supplies, spending more than $125,000 on pet food alone - up from $87,000 in 2022. "Clearly the need is only getting greater. Pet food donations are down nationwide and costs for pet food continue to climb," according to Amber Allen, Cody’s Friend’s Director and Cody's Mom. Providing this crucial assistance now often means the difference between keeping the pet and the family together or not. Thousands of people in need in southern Arizona depend on Cody’s Friends for pet food. They come to weekly distributions for their own dogs and cats, they come for help feeding community cats, and more than 50 human service agencies like food banks, women's shelters, first responders, and veterans' organizations come weekly to fill their shelves with donated pet food for their own clients and guests, serving as Cody's satellite outposts. Additionally, Cody's Friends is an ambassador for Greater Goods Charities GOODS Program, providing donated pet food and supplies to more than 100 approved 501c3 rescue groups across the southwest. 4Knines is thrilled to feature Cody's Friends in this month’s Monthly Spotlight. We hope you will consider donating to support Cody’s mission! Cody’s Friends relies on generous donations to keep all these pets fed. If you live in Tucson, please also consider dropping off unused pet food or supplies at one of our 60-plus Donation Stations. Thank you for supporting Cody's mission of keeping pets and people together! Help 4Knines Give Back Does your local animal advocacy group deserve recognition and support? We invite you to nominate them to be our next Spotlight. Fill out the form at the button below and our dedicated team will reach out. Let's join forces to make a positive impact! Help 4Knines Give Back Does your local animal advocacy group deserve recognition and support? We invite you to nominate them to be our next Spotlight. Fill out the form at the button below and our dedicated team will reach out. Let's join forces to make a positive impact! Spotlight Nomination Form Learn How 4Knines Gives Back ➜
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May 2024 Spotlight: Service Dog Project
May 2024 Spotlight Service Dog Project People are always wowed by the size and power of Great Danes but often don’t realize the breed is well adapted to be trained as service dogs. If its owner starts to fall, a Great Dane can provide counterbalance and brace, which is more difficult for a smaller Labrador or a Golden Retriever. This makes the work of the local nonprofit Service Dog Project (SDP) crucial. Based in Ipswich, Massachusetts, their mission is to create a partnership that enhances a recipient’s quality of life as they attain greater independence. In creating the partnership between Great Dane and recipient, SDP is dedicated to the values of respect, integrity, inclusion, compassion, collaboration, equality, and courage. Service Dog Project has provided more than 200 certified Great Dane service dogs to veterans, first responders, and people who struggle with their balance and mobility. Great Danes are bred, raised, and trained on the SDP farm. During the first month, they are supervised 24/7 by SDP staff and volunteers. After the dogs are fully trained, they are paired with a recipient and trained to meet their specific needs. As balance dogs, they are trained to walk steadily in harness and match the handler's speed. They are also taught to stop and brace themselves in case the handler falls and needs assistance to stand up. For several years, Service Dog Project struggled to secure much-needed donations. Enter Boston University’s College of Communication students. Students enrolled in the Media Strategies and Management course partnered with Service Dog Project to provide pro bono marketing and public relations support. Valued 4Knines customer James Grasso is a COM professor at Boston University who formed the COM partnership. James specializes in mass communication, advertising, and public relations. His students took on account manager roles, aiming to understand what the Service Dog Project most needed, deciding between a social media overhaul, fundraising outreach, and an updated website. “The Service Dog Project mission is so unique, and the way they train the dogs is so unique since Great Danes aren’t usually trained as service dogs,” says Grasso. “For this class, the course is designed to demonstrate to students what it’s like working at a real-world PR agency.” Grasso hopes to continue this partnership with Service Dog Project saying, “They need funding to continue, and so it’s a win-win for everyone. They need donations and exposure, and to get the exposure, you need people who have the talents I had in my class.” Service Dog Project’s president, Lynn George, is forever grateful for the student partnership. “They spun our company around, helped us get more volunteers, and got our new website up and running,” says Lynn. “They reached out to different organizations for donations, put up flyers, donated their time. At our open house, we had so many people here. I couldn’t figure out how to get Google to find us, and now Google directs to our website. Something that would have taken me three days to do on the website took them 10 minutes. They are so smart.” 4Knines loves to showcase unique animal advocacy groups in our Monthly Spotlight articles. This month, we are proud to feature Service Dog Project and also congratulate the students who helped this fabulous nonprofit garner much-deserved attention and much-needed donations. We hope you will join 4Knines in supporting SDP’s worthy mission with your donations. If you would like to read more about the student partnership with Service Dog Project, please click here for the full article. Help 4Knines Give Back Does your local animal advocacy group deserve recognition and support? We invite you to nominate them to be our next Spotlight. Fill out the form at the button below and our dedicated team will reach out. Let's join forces to make a positive impact! Help 4Knines Give Back Does your local animal advocacy group deserve recognition and support? We invite you to nominate them to be our next Spotlight. Fill out the form at the button below and our dedicated team will reach out. Let's join forces to make a positive impact! Spotlight Nomination Form Learn How 4Knines Gives Back ➜
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April 2024 Spotlight: Northwest Boxer Rescue
April 2024 Spotlight Northwest Boxer Rescue: Giving Boxers a Second Chance In a world where many animals are abandoned or left homeless, Northwest Boxer Rescue (NWBR) stands as a beacon of hope for boxers in need. With a steadfast mission and a dedicated team of volunteers, NWBR is committed to providing shelter, medical care, and most importantly, loving forever homes for boxers across the Northwest region. Northwest Boxer Rescue firmly believes every boxer deserves a chance to live a happy and fulfilling life in a caring environment. Whether they have been abandoned, neglected, or simply need a new home, the doors at NWBR are open to these wonderful dogs, giving them the opportunities they deserve. Northwest Boxer Rescue rescue efforts are made possible through the collaboration of passionate volunteers who generously donate their time and expertise. Together, they rescue boxers year-round, offering temporary care and unwavering support until they find their perfect match. But their mission extends beyond just rescue and rehoming. Northwest Boxer Rescue is dedicated to educating the public about responsible pet ownership and the importance of spaying and neutering to help end animal overpopulation. NWBR strives to make a lasting impact on the welfare of boxers and other animals in the communities they serve. At NWBR, no dog is ever discriminated against based on health or age. Every boxer entering into their care is evaluated, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and provided with any necessary medical treatment before being placed in carefully screened homes. NWBR’s commitment to the well-being of these animals is unwavering, ensuring they receive the love and care they deserve. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Northwest Boxer Rescue relies on the generosity of donors and volunteers to continue our lifesaving work. Every contribution, whether big or small, makes a difference in the lives of boxers in need. Join 4Knines in supporting Northwest Boxer Rescue’s mission to give boxers a second chance at a happy and fulfilling life. Together, we can make a difference, one boxer at a time. Help 4Knines Give Back Does your local animal advocacy group deserve recognition and support? We invite you to nominate them to be our next Spotlight. Fill out the form at the button below and our dedicated team will reach out. Let's join forces to make a positive impact! Help 4Knines Give Back Does your local animal advocacy group deserve recognition and support? We invite you to nominate them to be our next Spotlight. Fill out the form at the button below and our dedicated team will reach out. Let's join forces to make a positive impact! Spotlight Nomination Form Learn How 4Knines Gives Back ➜
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March 2024 Spotlight: Always & Furever Midwest Animal Sanctuary
March 2024 Spotlight Always & Furever Midwest Animal Sanctuary Always & Furever Midwest Animal Sanctuary (a.k.a. Always & Furever or A&F) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue network operating out of Spring Hill, Kansas. Its owner and founder, Jen, moved from Boston to Kansas with her two senior rescues. Her dream was to buy a farm and start a sanctuary for senior dogs, so to begin, she took out a $100,000 loan. Jen will tell you she knew nothing about running a rescue, but people and magic came along as the dream came to fruition and eventually turned into the massive movement the rescue is today. Always and Furever will celebrate its five-year anniversary this year. The rescue has saved more than 5,000 animals and has over 400,000 social media followers from around the world. The rescue operates three locations in the Kansas City area with plans to move the entire operation to its Homestead, a 40-acre tract of land the rescue owns in Spring Hill, Kansas. “With every fiber of my being, I see and feel Always & Furever being the name that changes rescues. Running a rescue should not be just paying a fee with the state, filing a form and taking donations while locking animals in stacked cages and waiting for someone else to love them and calling that saving lives and sadly so many rescues do just that,” Jen says. Always and Furever is “not your average shelter.” With the help of a dedicated staff, hundreds of volunteers and a governing board, the rescue’s goal is to make every day special for the animals in its care. Animals go on dog dates, hotel sleepovers and to short- and long-term fosters. Dogs at the rescue’s Little Red Barn can be found lounging on couches, playing outdoors and engaging in enrichment while they wait for their furever homes. The Always and Furever mission statement is at the heart of everything they do: Imagine a place where old dogs, sick dogs, abused dogs, abandoned dogs, and unwanted dogs all came together, to rest, live, play and snuggle. Where meals come morning and night, classical music is always playing and love overflows. The only choice they have to make is which couch or dog bed to lay on and which visitor to pick to smother with kisses. Just a place for dogs to be. To wait in the comforts of a home until they can find a family of their own who won’t throw them away when they are old or sick or even dying. To know they are loved for who they are, at this moment, and then to love us in return regardless of their past. To be the model of forgiveness and in return teach us to be better, kinder humans and to always know that even if in a small way we can always make a difference. This is our mission. This is our little red barn. A home for so many souls others discarded and we can’t imagine living without. 4Knines is proud to shine a light on the outstanding work of Always & Furever Midwest Animal Sanctuary. Please join us in supporting their mission. Every donation helps to provide a home for the unwanted, a sanctuary for the troubled, and a safe haven of peace. Help 4Knines Give Back Does your local animal advocacy group deserve recognition and support? We invite you to nominate them to be our next Spotlight. Fill out the form at the button below and our dedicated team will reach out. Let's join forces to make a positive impact! Help 4Knines Give Back Does your local animal advocacy group deserve recognition and support? We invite you to nominate them to be our next Spotlight. Fill out the form at the button below and our dedicated team will reach out. Let's join forces to make a positive impact! Spotlight Nomination Form Learn How 4Knines Gives Back ➜
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February 2024 Spotlight: Tucson Cold Wet Noses
February 2024 Spotlight Tucson Cold Wet Noses Tucson Cold Wet Noses Fosters, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) dog rescue in Southern Arizona dedicated to rescuing vulnerable dogs from local Arizona shelters and finding them perfect homes through successful adoptions or long-term hospice foster homes. Founded in 2006 by a small group of like-minded friends, Tucson Cold Wet Noses initially operated like many other rescues by primarily rescuing youngish, healthy dogs that, with a little love and training and socialization, could be adopted by loving families. Over time, the all-volunteer rescue recognized an urgent need to rescue Tucson’s “unadoptable” dogs - dogs who are old, sick, or injured and in desperate need of a safe, loving place to land. With this knowledge, Tucson Cold Wet Noses shifted their focus and began rescuing senior, medically fragile, and hospice dogs from various shelters in southern Arizona who have placed dogs on medical or euthanasia lists. Once rescued, the dogs are housed with approved foster families in the Tucson area and live with them as if they were their own. At any given time, there are approximately 100 dogs in the care of Tucson Cold Wet Noses. Happily, some fostered dogs ultimately become healthy enough to be adopted by a Tucson area family. Sadly, most of the dogs rescued by Tucson Cold Wet Noses enter into hospice care with foster parents who will lovingly care for them until it is time to cross the Rainbow Bridge. In addition to general age-related issues like vision problems, bad teeth, and arthritis, some foster dogs are lovingly treated for conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, heart problems, Valley Fever, Cushing Disease, spinal injuries, cancer, and more. Because of the vulnerable dog population they serve, Tucson Cold Wet Noses incurs medical expenses much higher than many other rescues. Tucson Cold Wet Noses relies on generous donations to help keep all fostered dogs fed and vetted. Foster parents are always needed to love and care for more and more dogs, so if you live in the Tucson area, please consider completing a foster application. At 4Knines, we love to shine a light on the selfless work of non-profits like Tucson Cold Wet Noses, and we hope you will consider joining us in support of their ongoing mission. Help 4Knines Give Back Does your local animal advocacy group deserve recognition and support? We invite you to nominate them to be our next Spotlight. Fill out the form at the button below and our dedicated team will reach out. Let's join forces to make a positive impact! Help 4Knines Give Back Does your local animal advocacy group deserve recognition and support? We invite you to nominate them to be our next Spotlight. Fill out the form at the button below and our dedicated team will reach out. Let's join forces to make a positive impact! Spotlight Nomination Form Learn How 4Knines Gives Back ➜
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January 2024 Spotlight: The Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland
January 2024 Spotlight The Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland The Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland (ARLGP) is first and foremost a life-saving organization. Their mission? To nurture the connection between people and pets to advance animal welfare and improve the quality of life in their community. The Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland is located in Westbrook, Maine and serves 15 surrounding towns including Maine’s most populated city, Portland. This non-profit organization provides temporary care and shelter for roughly 4,000 stray, abandoned, confiscated, and relinquished animals every year. They place as many pets as possible into caring homes, create awareness and support for the humane treatment of all animals, and strive to end animal overpopulation through education and the promotion of spaying and neutering. The ARLGP also functions as an animal welfare community resource with a behavior and training department that serves the surrounding public through pet training, group classes, and behavior management. They also have a humane education team who teaches kindness and compassion to local youth ranging in age from 5 – 18 about pet care, animal body language, and conscientious pet guardianship. The Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland clinic is staffed by a robust veterinary team, providing dedicated care, spay/neuter, microchipping, and vaccinations to shelter pets. They also work with community members and their pets through wellness and spay/neuter clinics to provide access to care. The ARLGP’s Executive Director Patsy Murphy likes to refer to the shelter as a “pet bed and breakfast” or a hotel that hosts a hospital and a school – and they really offer a little piece of each! The Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland prides itself on its community of animal lovers whose support fuels their mission. While the ARLGP is often recognized on a national level for their work, their main priority is always to support Maine pets, people, and partner shelters. The generosity of their community helped fundraise to build their current shelter which opened in 2017 and bolstered their lifesaving safety net to pets throughout Maine and across the country. Best of all? The Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland worked to find loving homes for almost 4,000 pets in 2022. There are also plenty of volunteer opportunities available and foster families are always needed. Each month, 4Knines shines a light on the work of fabulous nonprofit animal advocacy groups with our Monthly Spotlight Articles. This month, 4Knines is proud to feature the work of Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland. We hope you will join us in supporting their mission by making a donation. Help 4Knines Give Back Want to see your favorite animal advocacy group featured in our monthly spotlight articles? Fill out the form at the button below and our team will reach out. As a pet-focused business, we feel that it's important to give back to the animal community. Learn about our Giving Back program ➜ Go to Spotlight Nomination Form
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December 2023 Spotlight: Paws For Heroes
December 2023 Spotlight Paws For Heroes PTSD. Anxiety. Depression. Loneliness. Despair. These are the conditions many military veterans suffer from. However, with the help of a good emotional support companion dog, these crippling symptoms can often be alleviated, and a veteran can again find joy and a purpose in life. Paws for Heroes is a non-profit operating in the Houston area that provides well-trained emotional support dogs to veterans. All services are provided at no charge to eligible veterans. The life-changing benefits of a good emotional support companion dog are nothing short of amazing. Scientific studies show companion dogs promote better health, more sociability, and a greater sense of well-being. Paws for Heroes’ clients have reported their companion dogs made a tremendous improvement in their lives. The positive changes have helped prevent some veterans from getting divorced or losing their families. Some veterans have even reported that their Paws for Heroes dog saved them from self-harm. Paws for Heroes was started in 2013 by three women in Texas after they realized there was no Houston area organization helping veterans find a well-trained companion dog. The non-profit is operated by volunteers with a mission to bring comfort and companionship to our veterans by rescuing shelter dogs that have been carefully evaluated, selected and professionally trained for the purpose of providing emotional support and companionship. Dogs with the personality and temperament to be emotional support companions are selected and adopted by Paws for Heroes from local shelters and rescue groups. To qualify for the Paws for Heroes program, a dog must be friendly with all people and animals, self-confident and human-focused. The dogs cannot have negative or aggressive traits such as resource-guarding, thunderstorm anxiety, or a strong prey drive. The dog’s training begins by living with a foster family for a month, where it learns “house manners.” After that, the dog spends at least another month at a board-and-train facility, where it receives positive-reinforcement basic training until reaching the Good Canine Citizen equivalent. After training is completed, Paws for Heroes presents the dog to the veteran along with a crate, crate-liner, bed, leash, collar, bowls, toys and a starter kit of healthful food and preventive medication. At this point, veterans and their Paws for Heroes dogs start their new life together. Paws for Heroes maintains permanent contact with the veteran, and if there is a circumstance in which the veteran can no longer care for the dog, Paws for Heroes will find another home for the dog. The expenses incurred for veterinarians, trainers, and other miscellaneous costs average around $10,000 for each veteran-and-dog match. Paws for Heroes is honored to provide these services because they love dogs and have profound respect for veterans. To hear some of the stories from veterans served by Paws for Heroes’ volunteers, visit the Battle Buddies page on the website or visit the Paws for Heroes YouTube page. 4Knines is proud to shine a light on the work of Paws for Heroes, and we hope you will consider joining us to support their mission. Donating is easy via the Paws for Heroes website, and they are always in need of reliable volunteers. Help 4Knines Give Back Want to see your favorite animal advocacy group featured in our monthly spotlight articles? Fill out the form at the button below and our team will reach out. As a pet-focused business, we feel that it's important to give back to the animal community. Learn about our Giving Back program ➜ Go to Spotlight Nomination Form
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November 2023 Spotlight: Chained Dogs MKE
November 2023 Spotlight Chained Dogs MKE In the heart of Milwaukee, a dedicated group of individuals is working tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of some of the city's most vulnerable residents – dogs living on chains. Chained Dogs MKE, a nonprofit animal rescue and community outreach organization, has made it their mission to rescue these animals from a life of isolation and neglect while offering a helping hand to their owners. Imagine a life where your only world is a small radius defined by a heavy chain. For countless dogs in Milwaukee, this is their harsh reality. Chained Dogs MKE recognized this problem and decided to take action. They specialize in rescuing dogs that are forced to endure a 24/7 existence on the end of a chain, often in all types of weather conditions. These dogs are deprived of the love, attention, and care they deserve. Chained Dogs MKE aims to change that. Rescue is at the heart of their mission. The dedicated team at Chained Dogs MKE, armed with compassion and determination, rescues these dogs from their chains. They provide medical care, nourishing food, and a safe and loving environment. Most importantly, they provide these dogs with a second chance at life. But Chained Dogs MKE's mission doesn't stop at rescue. They understand that to truly make a lasting impact, they must address the root causes of this issue. This is where their community outreach efforts come into play. They offer judgment-free support to local pet owners who may be struggling to provide the proper care and attention their dogs need. This includes providing food, treats, training, toys, and even education on responsible pet ownership. One of the standout aspects of Chained Dogs MKE is their commitment to serving the community as a whole. They recognize that many dog owners may be facing financial hardship or lack access to resources, making it challenging to care for their pets. By offering essential supplies and educational resources, they aim to break down barriers and create a more compassionate community for both humans and animals. Another unique aspect of Chained Dogs MKE is their approach to empathy and understanding. They firmly believe in offering support without judgment. This creates a safe space for pet owners to seek assistance without fear of criticism, allowing them to provide better lives for their dogs. Chained Dogs MKE's impact reaches far beyond the dogs they rescue. They are actively working to change the culture surrounding pet ownership in Milwaukee. By promoting responsible ownership, they hope to reduce the number of dogs who end up chained and neglected. In a city where winters can be harsh and summers unforgiving, Chained Dogs MKE is a beacon of hope. They remind us that change is possible, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. Through their rescue efforts and community outreach, they are not only saving dogs but also transforming lives and fostering a more compassionate and understanding community. If you're looking to support an organization that is truly making a difference in the lives of both dogs and their owners, Chained Dogs MKE is an inspiring example. Whether through volunteering, donations, or spreading the word, we hope you will join 4Knines in helping Chained Dogs MKE achieve of their mission to break chains and change lives, one dog at a time. Help 4Knines Give Back Want to see your favorite animal advocacy group featured in our monthly spotlight articles? Fill out the form at the button below and our team will reach out. As a pet-focused business, we feel that it's important to give back to the animal community. Learn about our Giving Back program ➜ Go to Spotlight Nomination Form
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