We are often asked, “How can we help?” and the answer is huge! It does not matter your condition, your situation, your finances, or your location. First, an overview about rescue.
The Rescue Dogs: Each rescue dog is unique, and each one comes from a different environment, type of socialization, neglect, abuse, or even abandonment and medical issues. Sometimes their history is known, and under other circumstances, they may not even be sure of the age of the dog.
Facility Expenses: Facility expenses include much more than mortgage, utilities, and insurance. Expenses include upkeep and replacement costs for the grounds, laundry and bathing equipment, painting and overall cleaning, transportation costs, and vehicle repairs.
Cost of Supplies and Food: This and medical are the most significant costs associated with running a rescue, especially if you are taking in multiple animals at once. The purchase of food, bedding, diapers, toys, bowls, collars, tags, and grooming, as well as other necessities, is to ensure that the animals are well-fed, clean, and healthy. Food costs vary on the number of dogs as well as their special diet needs, and $150 to $175 a week is not uncommon.
Cost of Medical Care: Veterinary services are very costly, and with that are supplements, medications, and special diets. This includes wellness visits, spaying/neutering, vaccinations, heartworm and disease testing, as well as dentals and other issues determined by the vet that need to be addressed. And, unfortunately, emergency vet visits can run into the thousands of dollars. A rescue does not get free or discounted fees.
God bless rescue organizations. Their work is expensive and a labor of love.
Why Get Involved—Mayo Clinic Health Systems reports 3 health benefits of volunteering: 1) Improves physical and mental health, 2) Provides a sense of purpose and teaches valuable skills, 3) Nurtures new and existing relationships.
How Can You Help? We have all heard, if you cannot adopt, sponsor. If you cannot sponsor, volunteer. If you cannot volunteer, donate. To maintain operations and save more lives, you can help in a variety of ways.
Do you sew? Help by making vests or pads for the dogs. We furnish material.
Join other volunteers for an outing with the dogs, such as a walk in the park.
Are you a groomer? Donate one groom a month.
Support their ride to freedom and safety with tires, a running vehicle with air.
Help at events, outreach programs, and adoption fairs.
Utilize your social media skills to help the dogs get adopted, spread/share the word.
Monetary Donations: The cost of operating a rescue is substantial, and in our current economic environment, the costs are escalating. Rover’s Rest Stop & Ranch has a Donate button on the top right corner of our web page www.roversreststop.com.
The satisfaction of knowing that you made a difference in a dog’s life—Priceless! Stop by our Meet & Greet on Saturday, June 14, celebrating Father’s Day! The Kids love company! For more info, call 480-600-2828.