This is a series of diaries highlighting animal rescues around the country and noting and celebrating the work they do to help animals who have no voices but ours to speak for them. I have long wanted to start a rescue but lack the resources or time available to do so right now so this is my attempt to do my part. I hope that these rescues will benefit from the kindness and benevolence of the community here at Daily Kos. I chose this rescue, Big Fluffy Dogs Rescue, because they were suggested by
pencils. They are an amazing organization and worthy of Kossack attention and care.
Big Fluffy Dogs Rescue
"Big Fluffy Dog Rescue is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping giant breed mixed breed dogs in need. We value dogs of all breeds, but we specialize in what the name says: big, fluffy dogs. We have volunteers in several states in the South and New England who work to help homeless big fluffy dogs find a home to call their own. Big Fluffy Dog Rescue works to save Great Pyrenees, Saint Bernards, Newfoundlands and their mixes from euthanasia.
Our dogs come in to rescue for many different reasons. Many were abandoned at high kill shelters in the South. Some were turned in by owners who could not properly care for them and still others are failed livestock guardian dogs. Regardless of their origins, our goal for every dog we have is the same: a safe, happy home where each dog is a well-loved member of the family. Big Fluffy Dog Rescue has its headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee. We have volunteers in several states in the South and across New England."
The website is here
Those interested in adopting can find the application here
You can donate and pay the adoption fee here
Follow them on Facebook here
The current list of big fluffy dogs they have is here
Southern Dog Connection
Many of our dogs come from kill shelters in southern states where spay neuter laws do not exist and where the pet overpopulation problem is critical. Hundreds of thousands of extremely adoptable dogs and puppies are euthanized every year in the South as there simply are not enough homes for the dogs that end up in these shelters. Many times, a perfectly healthy dog has just three days to find a home before facing death at the end of a needle, or worse, a gas chamber.
We rescue dogs from southern shelters and house them in foster homes in the South until they are ready to come to either an adoptive home or a foster home in the New England area. We use a USDA- licensed transport company to bring dogs from the South to New England. Transport is a weekly occurrence and fosters and adoptive homes meet the transport at points from Virginia to New Hampshire. Many times adoptions are long-distance and a dog goes directly from our southern foster homes to a northern home. We encourage our adopters to talk to the foster parents to learn about the dog they are interested in. If a dog is locally fostered near an applicant, we are happy to schedule a meet and greet.
Bringing my new dog home FAQ
Most of the time, you will meet your dog at a foster home which will be scheduled directly with the foster family at a time convenient for you and them. Other times, we may mutually decide it is best for you and the dog to pick the dog up directly from a professional transport. For adopters from Virginia to Maine along the I-95 corridor, we utilize USDA-licensed professional transport companies that have routes through these areas. Transport is a nearly weekly event and if the dogs originate in the South or Midwest our dogs generally leave the Southern or Midwestern area on a Friday and arrive at their destination on Saturday. We strictly adhere to all laws regarding the transport of animals and we are very careful about who we allow to transport our dogs. Each dog is crated separately in an appropriately-sized crate with water available at all times. Dogs are walked every few hours on the transport. All transport costs are included in the adoption fee, including a health certificate and vet check prior to transport. The following transport companies may provide transport for our dogs, so please ask your coordinator which transport company will be handling your dog:
Got Orphans Transport
Alpha Dog Transport
We do have other transports we use on occasion and there are other companies available for other areas. Please inquire if you are in an area not covered by our regular carriers.
We also on rare occasions transport dogs by air. Be aware that there are special rules for air travel. Dogs may not travel unless the temperature is above 20 and below 85 at both the departure and arrival cities. Air travel requires the purchase of an airline-approved crate which we can do for you. We will assist you in coordinating any air travel required. The cost of the air transport is the cost of the ticket, the crate and accessories. We do not charge for our time or any handling costs.