Inside an Animal Rescue

Rescuing dogs takes a lot of energy, patience and love. It also takes money. Fundraising is a big part of rescue. Dogs come to Castle of Dreams Animal Rescue sick, abused, and injured. Veterinary bills can quickly mount into the tens of thousands of dollars. Volunteers work hard year ‘round at various fundraising events such as our Festival of Dogs, Bowling for Biscuits, and our Annual Tricky Tray. Sometimes even these events are not enough.

It’s an ongoing process to raise the funds necessary to take care of the dogs. Castle of Dreams is run entirely by volunteers and all funds raised go directly to the care of the dogs. Although Castle of Dreams will provide foster families anything they need to for the dog in their care, most volunteers dig deep into their own pockets to buy food, toys, leashes, collars, and other things the dog needs. They do it from the goodness of their hearts and without expectations. They just do what’s best for the dog.

One month in the Castle of Dreams:

A shelter worker from a southern state called volunteer coordinator, Pam Frasco, to ask if the rescue had room for a small Chihuahua with a bad leg. "Deformed at birth," was what they said and kind hearted Pam said yes and set out to find a volunteer to foster the little guy. Once Trouble arrived, Pam realized his legs were worse than originally described and took him to the veterinarian. The vet informed Pam that Trouble was the victim of abuse and his deformed front leg was really broken and never healed correctly. Even worse, both back knee caps were dislocated and to get this little guy all fixed up and out of pain the cost of surgeries would be over $6000. Pam reported the vet’s findings back to the volunteers at Castle of Dreams and the army of volunteers immediately began fundraising.

A Thirty-one sales associate offered to have a party and donate her profits from the night to The Trouble Fund. Other’s passed out fliers, made donation cans and reached out to the community to let everyone know Trouble’s plight. One volunteer put a video up on YouTube and the Castle of Dreams website for people to share on social networking sites. It’s an ongoing effort to raise the funds necessary to cover the surgery.

Right after Trouble came to rescue, another shelter called to ask for help. A Great Dane wandered into the yard of one of their workers and collapsed. She was emaciated and couldn’t stand. Could Castle of Dreams help this dog who was maybe a year old and heartworm positive? Pam, having had a Great Dane growing up, said yes. Unsure if Castle of Dreams would take on another big responsibility, she offered to take care of this dog on her on, but the volunteers wouldn’t hear of it. Castle of Dreams Animal Rescue is a family and would never abandon each other in a time of need. Siren, the Great Dane is now on the mend and will soon be looking for her forever family.

Less than two weeks later Buddy, a small Shih Tzu, arrived from a Tennessee shelter. All he needs is a bath and a hair cut, they said. Upon arrival he was so badly matted it was hard to see his face. Volunteer Evelyn Cote took him to a groomer and then the veterinarian. The vet informed Evelyn that Buddy had a dislocated jaw and was probably kicked in the face. Buddy was in pain and would require surgery. The estimate for his surgery is approximately $2400.

As sad as these stories are, Castle of Dreams volunteers face them every day. They have the determination to fix the broken, heal the sick and bring them back from the darkness of pain to find the comfort a new family can bring into their lives. They spend most of their time taking care of the dogs and the rest fundraising so we can meet the needs of every dog that comes to the Castle of Dreams. A volunteer may be managing applications, updating the website, organizing fundraising events, picking up dogs from transports, tracking vaccination records, collecting donations of food, toys, and blankets, helping at adoption days or taking a dog into their home to foster until a good home can be found. Some do a lot, some do a little. It’s when everyone comes together that one more dog is saved, one more family finds their perfect pet and they can move on to find the next pup in need.

Welcome to the Castle. Volunteers always needed. To donate for Trouble or Buddy's surgeries or Siren's heartworm treatment or any of the other dogs that come into the Castle each month please go to our website: www.castle-of-dreams.com