Midwest Rescue of Illinois, Inc.: Purina ONE Adoption Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
The grant money was used as agreed to offset adoption fees ($250 for dogs over 6 months of age).
The grant helped our organization and the pets in our care by facilitating adoptions for older dogs. In all three instances, the adopted dogs are seniors and will require more veterinary care. The adopters have earmarked the funds that would be spent on their adoption fees as veterinary funds for their pets.
How many pets did this grant help?
Three so far: Snow (formerly Princess), Winky (formerly Domino) and Sweetie.
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
Snow (formerly Princess; top photo, right) and Winky (formerly Domino; top photo, left) are two 14-year-old dogs whose family no longer wanted them. The couple divorced, and neither one of them wanted the dogs, although they’d belonged to them since puppyhood. It is very difficult to rehome senior dogs, let alone a pair of them, but Snow and Winky are bonded, so we wanted to keep them together. Their dad was threatening to take them to a shelter, where they wouldn’t stand much of a chance. Both dogs are shy and Winky is deaf.
Our volunteers networked them extensively on social media. And amazingly, a wonderful applicant stepped forward. This kindhearted woman was specifically looking for a senior dog to rescue. Because she already has two dogs who themselves are bonded, she felt that adopting a second bonded pair might benefit everyone.
After running her through our adoption-screening process, we conducted a meet-and-greet between both pairs of dogs. Everyone got along at first sight! After some follow-up play dates, Snow and Winky moved into their new home. We are happy to report that both pups love their new family, have since come out of their shells and are flourishing in their new home.
Sweetie (fourth photo) came to us as a result of a young couple asking for help. She was originally rescued by her owner while he was passing through Tennessee on his way to visit his brother in South Carolina. As he was driving, he saw a dog running on the side of the highway. She was emaciated and clearly needed help. It took some time and lots of coaxing, but Sweetie finally gave in to his plea to help her and he was able to get this girl to a local vet. Nobody claimed her and he just could not leave her behind, so back home she went to become a Chicago dweller.
Unfortunately, Sweetie’s owner was later evicted from his apartment because of the economy. He was able to move in with a family member, but his two dogs were not welcome there. Another family member took the second dog, but Sweetie was left with nowhere to go other than a shelter. But not to worry, Sweetie is safe with us and we promised to find her a great forever home!
Sweetie has proven to be good with other well-behaved dogs, although she has not yet been around children or cats, and she quickly warms up to new people, more than happy to ask for attention or give sugar-sweet kisses!
Sweetie has been spayed and is up-to-date on her vaccinations. Sweetie is a doll on a leash, is crate-trained and can sit like a princess for an eagerly awaited treat! We promise that her well-mannered, fun and silly ways will win you over! Meet Sweetie: https://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/29694237/
UPDATE: Sweetie has been adopted!
