STR President's Holiday Message

As we approach the end of another year of helping dogs in need, I think back to a day in November of 1991, a day in which we did our first rescue.

A friend called us about a little white dog, approximately 2 years old, freshly groomed with a blue bow in his hair, who was brought to Miami-Dade Animal Services to die. (In those days surrendered dogs were often put down within 24 hours due to over crowding.) We rescued him, named him Justin Albert, and loved him dearly for over 15 years .In the cage next to Justin’s was a little brown dog who kept woo-wooing to us, we named him Cosmo Clement and he was our second adoption.

In the cage next to Cosmo’s was a little black and white Shih Tzu girl wearing a dirty red coat used to cover her horrible skin condition. We were told by an attendant not to take her because of her condition and because of our awful lack of experience we listened to him and left her there. She didn’t make it out, and to this day we are still trying to make it up to sweet Little Red Coat. It is a sad reflection on our society that an estimated 4 million unwanted dogs are killed in American shelters each year, (United States Humane Society statistics) and while our rescues seem insignificant compared to the total picture they are terribly important to the little souls we save and to the people who adopt them.

In 1998 we incorporated Shih Tzu Rescue, Inc. as a 501 © (3) Non-Profit and in 2002 we moved into our present facility in Davie, Florida. Our facility is on three acres and consists of 72, 4 ft. X 21 ft. indoor/outdoor runs, a 3100’ indoor, air conditioned building which is primarily used to shelter smaller dogs and six large fenced exercise yards. The shelter has caretakers that live on the premises so the dogs are supervised 24/7.

Since then, and at great personal expense, we have taken in and adopted close to 2000 dogs to loving, forever homes, and yes, many of them were Little Red Coats. It is amazing how many dogs are neglected and abandoned because of skin issues, most of which are treatable. However, rescuing and rehoming abandoned dogs is only a part of what we do. Educating people to the horrors of overpopulation is equally as important. The need to spay and neuter and to not buy a puppy from a pet store is something that every person should know. Our mission includes as well educating the public as to the tremendous commitment, both emotional & financial, that people should be made fully aware of, and ready to abide by, before bringing a dog into their family.

2013 has been an extremely challenging year for us. The poor economy has forced many people to move and abandon their pets. There isn’t a day goes by when we don’t get a call from someone to take a dog that they can no longer keep,(some days there are as many as 7 to 10), or from someone who has found a dog in the street. Some are in such poor condition that they require immediate medical care. As a NO-KILL Shelter, we are limited by our financial ability to provide medical treatment and care for dogs that we take in until loving homes are found and every day we are faced with new challenges.

We recently received a call from a distressed dog owner that said her dog was hit by a car and didn’t have the $1500 for diagnostic tests that the Vet wanted to charge. We took her in. Here’s Jamie Lee’s story.

Jamie Lee (we gave her the name) was bought on line at Craig’s list for $50 as a gift for a friend; a gift that was never given. While in the owner’s back yard, Jamie Lee dug her way out and was hit by a car. The owner thinking she was dead buried her in her back yard. Two days later, Jamie Lee was at the owner’s door all covered with dirt. It appears that with the help of two large yard dogs, Jamie Lee was able to dig her way out of her grave. Jamie Lee’s injuries required surgery to remove her ruptured right eye, to stitch up a large gash on her right rear leg and to remove the roots of teeth broken off by the impact. Jamie Lee has recovered and is a real love, and is looking for her forever home.

Over the years we have taken in many dogs with serious medical issues that required Vet care and long periods of rehabilitation. Fortunately, having the shelter, affords us the space and personnel to accommodate their needs, but this comes at a great expense. The alternative is for them to become a statistic.

We are committed to keeping Shih Tzu Rescue open for dogs in need, but can only do so with your help. It is very expensive to run the largest independent Rescue/Shelter in Dade and Broward Counties, (Human Society excluded) with over 100 dogs presently in our care.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:
It is Gratifying to know we have so many people who believe in what we do and in a position to help make a difference in the lives of the dogs that come through our doors. It is terrifying to think of not being financially equipped to help these dogs. There are several ways that you can help Shih Tzu Rescue.

One of our areas of focus for 2014 is to grow our monthly supporter’s network. A monthly donation of $20, $50, or more can give us the stability of a steady cash flow to help us meet our daily expenses. Payments can be set up easily on the donations page of our web site or checks can be mailed monthly to the address at the bottom of this letter.

Historically, we have reached out to our support network at the end of the year to give updates and the latest happenings and to ask for your support in providing a tax deductable donation. We sincerely appreciate those of you that continuously support our mission through annual or monthly donations that always seem to arrive at a time when most needed. Your donations reinforce that what we are doing is believed in, supported and championed. Donations can be easily made on the donations page of our web site or checks can be mailed to the address at the bottom of this letter.

We are always in need of Volunteers, especially persons who can help spread our message though networking or social media. We are also in need of someone to head up a fundraiser, one we have not had for years. If you would like to Volunteer please call Harriet at 954-689-6456 or e-mail her

If you feel this letter and our mission would be compelling to a family member or friend please feel free to forward it along. We want and need to grow our support network and increased support is crucial if we are going to meet the ever increasing challenges of our times. Additional information can be found on our web site or by contacting us directly.

Thank you in advance for your much needed support and wishing you the happiest of Holidays and a Healthy and Fulfilling New Year.

 

Warmest Wishes Always,
Harriet and Eric