THE POWER OF ONE

Hollie with her pack

Although we run into many animal lovers in the course of rescuing dogs, it is is difficult to find people who will volunteer, foster or donate on a long term basis. This may be because once people become aware of the scale of the overpopulation problem and learn just how many dogs need help, it is impossible not to be overwhelmed - you feel helpless - "how can I, one individual, make a difference?"

One person CAN make a huge difference by just making a mental commitment to do so. The trick is to focus on a task or an area that you know that you can accomplish - and not try to take on the entire world of neglected and abused dogs at once.

Hollie W. is the perfect example of how one person can make a HUGE difference in the lives of a few special pups.

Hollie W. reached out to us in February in response to our desperate plea for foster homes. Hollie has the type of home that we look for when trying to find a foster home - dog savvy, fenced yard, guardian to multiple rescue dogs ... Unfortunately, Hollie lives 4 hours away from Marion, which makes it impossible for us to use her as a foster. That was a big disappointment for all!

Chloe & Mandy in limbo for a year

But Hollie would not give up - she was determined to help our dogs. So she decided that she was going to raise the funds for Heartworm treatment for Chloe & Mandy - two sisters who have been waiting over a year to undergo treatment due to lack of funds and foster space. Hollie is not independently wealthy - she works in the non-profit sector - but she was true to her word and made a difference.

Hollie sent out emails to everyone she knew asking them to contribute a what they could to Chloe & Mandy. When not enough funds were raised - Hollie donated the rest herself, by making payments that were within her range over a three month period.

Hollie and her rescued pups

On top of helping us - Hollie stepped up to foster two Beagles from her local shelter - who were slated for euthanasia. One of them was pregnant - and recently had her pups in Hollie's care (see cutie pups above).

Because of Hollie's dedication to making a difference for Chloe & Mandy - a foster home committed to them to take them through treatment and a rescue group promised to work on their placement once through treatment. This is the chain reaction that was started by one person deciding to make a difference.

If each person reading this story would follow Hollie's example and commit to saving one dog on our pet list, by providing a foster home, by raising donations for veterinary care and/or transport, by reaching out to rescues - we would have lots more happy endings to report and would be able to save that many more dogs.

We are hindered by lack of foster homes and lack of funds. It is heartbreaking to watch our dogs sit and wait - sometimes years - for adoptive homes because we cannot treat them for heartworm disease or cannot find foster homes or rescue for them. Even more heartbreaking are the dogs that never have the opportunity to be saved from abusive situations or euthanasia, due to lack of space.

Make a promise today to do everything in your power to help one dog find its way to a new beginning. One person CAN make a difference - and that person can be you!

Become a guardian angel

Foster a dog

Donate

Thank you for caring!

http://www.pawsofmarion.org/