I became a dog trainer to save dogs.
Here’s some of the lifesaving programs I am currently involved in.
Dog Aide
Dog Aide's Mission is to provide assistance to Detroit dog owners who are experiencing financial hardship and struggling to provide for their pets. Our Community Outreach program was created to provide dog food, daily care items, education on proper pet care, and assistance with free spay/neuter to the Detroit community to help keep pets with their people. My volunteer activities with Dog Aide include transportation to and from their spay/neuter appointments, and checking on one of my outreach dogs weekly to make sure he has what he needs for his safety and well being.
Fostering
I usually have at least one foster dog, sometimes three. I have fostered dogs that have behavior issues such as reactivity or aggression, or medical issues such as heartworm disease. I’ve had fosters that were here for a few days, and more long term fosters, the longest being 2.5 years. This is extremely fulfilling for me and I highly recommend fostering. I have worked with several different shelters and rescue groups. See more about my current fosters and their journey on my Instagram.
Detroit Animal Care and Control
I also volunteer with DACC, Detroit’s municipal open-intake shelter. My primary focus there has been on facilitating transfers to other shelters or rescues. Because DACC is open intake, they often take in about 15 dogs per day. That means we have to move many dogs out every day in order for them to have space for the new intakes. I am starting to get more involved in the in-shelter operations at their beautiful new facility. Did you know that you can take a dog out for just an hour or two for #DetroitDogVentures, or a Slumber Party overnight? These programs are statically proven to make shelter dogs more likely to be adopted. To get involved in the shelter, email volunteer@friendsofdacc.org
Other Volunteer Activities
Project Grace
I also volunteered with Project Grace Spay/Neuter Clinics and hotline.
WE BELIEVE THE KEY TO ENDING THE POPULATION OF HOMELESS DOGS AND OVER CROWDING IN THE SHELTERS IS THROUGH SPAYING & NEUTERING PETS. 1117 DOGS ALTERED SINCE JULY 2016!
Do you know how many pets have ‘oops litters’ in under served communities? How many individuals have never heard of spay/neuter? How many pet owners jump at the chance to sign their pets up for community clinics if they know there will not be the burden of judgment or payment?
Bark Nation and Dog Aide have teamed up since 2016 to offer FREE services to dogs of Detroit residents – sterilization, vaccinations, microchip and City license.
We are always looking for professional, forward-thinking, non-judgmental, kick-ass advocates to join our hotline and to volunteer at the clinics! Clinics run from early spring to late fall every year. Please fill out our Volunteer Questionnaire by clicking here and be sure to list all areas that you’re interested in volunteering in!
Check out our Project Grace facebook page! Are you a Detroit resident looking for sterilization services? Contact sndetroitdogs@gmail.com or call (313)855-5866!
Pitness Protection Program
I was proud to be a part of the Bark Nation Pitness Protection Program. This program encompasses dogfighting investigations, seizure, live-evidence sheltering and #LifeAfterDogfighting placement. Their P2Shelter is state registered, and provides reprieve and healing to up to 150 amazing survivors of dogfighting at a time. They uphold strongly humane sheltering, enrichment, force-free handling and are insanely generous with our swooning and kisses. While some dogs have longer or shorter stays, the average stay as live-evidence thus far is 4.5 months.
Click here for more information about Bark Nation!