In the spring of 2013, Kerry E. McBride gathered with a group of friends to address the growing number of adoptable dogs in her community facing homelessness, or worse, a stay in a high-kill shelter. The group went on to found the non-profit Foothill Dog Rescue and focused their efforts on saving animals that were staring down a death sentence. Somewhere along the way, they realized their work was touching lives beyond shelter walls. “All of us have experienced a time during our rescue work where we have said, ‘I’m not sure who we helped more, the dog or the person,” McBride says. “The most touching and rewarding times occur when new owners are filling out their adoption paperwork and they’re in tears because they have found their perfect companion.” According to McBride, her organization receives up to 10 calls each week from dog owners who can no longer afford to care for their pet and are reluctant to surrender them to a shelter. In these instances, Foothill Dog Rescue’s team of volunteers offers a compassionate alternative by placing dogs that pass their comprehensive temperament test in loving foster and forever homes. “We have close to 1,700 followers on Facebook,” explains Michele Weimer, a member of Foothill’s board. “We let our community know that the more foster homes we have, the more lives we can save.” Through partnerships with local veterinarians, trainers, groomers and boarding facilities, the organization is also able to thoroughly prepare both dogs and their adopters for a new leash on life. “Animal rescue provides opportunities to meet wonderful people with a similar passion to help dogs that are in bad situations through no fault of their own,” McBride shares. “People with a passion for dogs are fun to spend time with, and dogs provide unconditional love that people need.”

foothilldogrescue.org

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