Old dogs have something to wag about this summer, as The Grey Muzzle Organization announces the recipients of its annual grants, and dogs at Carolina Poodle Rescue are among the winners.
Carolina Poodle Rescue (CPR) is one of 62 animal welfare groups chosen from 240 applicants to receive a grant to help local senior dogs. The groups received a total of nearly $419,000 in grants to help save or improve the lives of at-risk old dogs in communities nationwide.
In the past 3 years, more than 550 Senior pets have found their way to CPR joining those already in residence at our 50-acre farm (Dreamweaver Farms) or in foster. With this grant, we expect to be able to accelerate our Senior intake and rehabilitation program by an additional 25 dogs over and above our usual growth in the 12-month period following disbursement.
This grant will help dogs like Ronny. 10-year-old Ronny, a toy poodle, found his way to CPR after being surrendered by his owner to a shelter that was already full. Ronny’s aging owner could no longer care for him. She loved him dearly – even going to the expense of having him washed and groomed before bringing him to the shelter. We think she was hopeful that a cute haircut and his beautiful eyes would score him a family. Sadly, she didn’t understand that being unaltered and having rotten teeth were the real problems and landed him on the list to be euthanized without rescue intervention. A quick call to a CPR volunteer, a race to the shelter and Ronny was on a freedom ride to CPR to start his new life. The first step was a trip to the vet to for a neuter and dental, along with updating all his vaccines. While he heals, Ronny will get a temperament assessment and then be ready for his forever home. Ronny has much love to give. Now he has the chance to give it.
In the past 11 years, the national nonprofit Grey Muzzle Organization has provided almost $2 million in grants to support its vision of “a world where no old dog dies alone and afraid.”
“Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we’re delighted to help deserving organizations like Carolina Poodle Rescue make a difference in the lives of dogs and people in their communities,” Grey Muzzle’s Executive Director Lisa Lunghofer said. “Many senior dogs are enjoying their golden years in loving homes thanks to the wonderful work of Carolina Poodle Rescue.”
Today, Carolina Poodle Rescue’s SOS program is home to more than 125 dogs. “We believe that Senior dogs are adoptable with the right marketing, the right medical work and just a little more time than the average dog. This grant will help us grow our existing SOS program through a targeted intake and rehabilitation approach,” Carolina Poodle Rescue’s SOS Program Coordinator Jennifer Reel said.
The national nonprofit The Grey Muzzle Organization improves the lives of at-risk senior dogs by providing funding and resources to animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, and other nonprofit groups nationwide. For details, please visit www.greymuzzle.org