Debbie and Tigre

Hi, I’m Debbie Tamayo. This is my first time blogging — which proves you can ‘teach an old dog new tricks” … which is the topic of this post.

First a little about me: I have worked in the veterinary profession as a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) with over 10 years of experience and a lifetime of loving animals. Founders has stood out as a wonderful place to work because Dr. Terifaj has not only established a great clinic, but also found it in her heart to embrace the animal rescue world. Working with rescue groups is especially close to my heart, and I realized this recently when someone asked me: “What would you do if you won the lottery?”  There was no doubt in my mind when I responded: Open an animal sanctuary and hospice care center to prevent unwanted pets from suffering at the hands of a society that too easily abandons the sick and the elderly.

It seems older dogs are mostly overlooked when it comes to adoption. Too many people believe they need to add a brand spanking new puppy to their canine family — much like it’s a new baby. But those folks overlook the joys of adopting mature dogs. Dogs that don’t want to chew up your favorite shoes or jump up, knocking over your friends the minute they walk through the door … and best of all they don’t need toilet training!

Older dogs are usually recycled pets — meaning at one time they had a family. For any number of reasons, their family gave them up. I have seen dogs not want to eat for days in unfamiliar surroundings — confused and frightened missing their home and family. Fallout from the staggering loss of jobs and home foreclosures during this economic hurricane has put thousands of pets at risk — they also lost the roof over their heads and the security a paycheck brings. They cannot weather this financial thunderstorm alone.

In May of this year, Founders established the Pet Sponsorship Program, working with the non-profit rescue group, Pugs to Pits. Some of you have become Pet Sponsors, sending us monthly donations to help with the care of the dogs and cats we are fostering at the clinic. Since the inception of this innovative program — veterinary staff teaming up with a pet rescue group — we have helped to place almost a dozen cats and dogs in the last 5 months with your help! Some of you have visited to play with a cat or walk a dog. Some help to pass out our adoption flyers and others send much needed donations. We knew we could answer this urgent call to help homeless pets because we know YOU, our wonderful clients — generous and committed to your pet’s health and safety. You understand the special bond we all share as animal lovers…

Now we need some extra help to find a forever home for Tigre. This older gentle soul is estimated to be around 5 years. Unfortunately, his white muzzle gives him the appearance of a much older dog — but don’t be fooled. He is a well behaved walking dog with no end to the walk! He is friendly with other dogs, cats, and kids and could adapt to any live-in situation as long as he is promised a place in your heart forever and maybe a warm spot to sleep beside your bed.

So, if you or someone you know is ready to open your heart and home to a recycled dog in good useable condition, please come by and visit Tigre…

And all of us at Founders will make you this 100% smile back guarantee: This noble gentleman of a dog with his soft brown eyes and silky tiger stripe coat will chase your blues away or you get a full no questions asked refund.

PS:  Please use the ShareThis button below to forward this post to your friends and family. Tigre says thanks!

A note from Dr. Terifaj — please recognize and share these sad statistics with others:

• 70,000 puppies and kittens are born every day in the U.S.
• Between 4 million to 6 million dogs and cats in shelters are destroyed every year simply because they are homeless = 11,000 to 16,000 pets per day.
• An unwanted shelter animal is killed every 1.5 seconds!