I give my time, my heart and my soul to dogs that need a second chance in life. In October 2011 I adopted a sweet little Cocker Spaniel at a Petco in Lee’s Summit, MO. After this experience and learning about rescue I visited the rescues website and I just kept coming back to it week after week. I didn’t need to adopt another dog but for some reason I just kept coming back to their page. In early 2012 I saw a little dog on their website, Joe Cocker (a Cocker Spaniel mix) and he needed a foster home. I thought to myself….I can do this and the rest is history. Joe was a tough case, he was a biter due to the abuse he received in his former home, he hated people but loved other dogs, and he loves me. Yes, Joe Cocker is still with me and he will be forever. Since that fateful day I have fostered over 100 dogs in my home, normally I foster 2 or 3 at a time. Every time I go to the shelter and see all of the helplessness and the soulful eyes staring at me my heart just breaks. It’s the little guys, the ones that have never had a haircut, matted with eyes almost impossible to see. It’s the seniors whose owners surrendered because they are old or somehow became strays at the age of 10. It’s the ones that I know the owners will never come to re-claim, those are the ones I must help. To go to a shelter and see these dogs, shaking, fearful, not knowing what the heck has happened to their life and wondering when their family will come for them. In some cases I feel they have given up or are hoping their family won’t come, they just want to escape the neglect and abuse. Some are so young I wonder if they have ever even experienced love and the older ones I can feel their broken hearts. It is so hard to explain but until you actually walk the rows at the shelter it is a memory that will haunt you. Every dog I bring home I help them become healthy and happy. I love them as if they are my own, and they are mine until I find them a perfect forever home. All of this is possible through the group I foster for, Furry Kids’ Refuge. Living in Missouri, one of the states notorious for back yard breeders and puppy mills it is just devastating the number of animals that are in the Missouri shelter system. Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed and I bite off more than I can chew but I always feel in my heart that I always have room for one more. Yes, I miss out hanging out with friends, shopping, vacations and even spending time with my family BUT these little guys are in my heart and helping them is just something I must do. After my fosters are adopted I love to receive updates, photos and the occasional visit. I even doggysitt for some of them! I will continue to give my time and my heart to as many dogs as I possibly can for as long as I possibly can.
Review from #MyGivingStory
Furry Kids Refuge stepped up when we had to find a place to take a beautiful lab-mix and her 5 puppies. When I called them, they didn't hesitate one minute! They took all of them in and took wonderful care of them. They poste videos daily so all that were involved with Momma and her 5 puppies could keep up with their progress. All the puppies found loving homes and they still have Momma (now named Eloise) but she is in the best hands and they do wonderful vet checks and applications and don't let their foster dogs go to just anyone.
In August, my boyfriend adopted a Yorkie that had been surrendered with some other dogs as the woman passed away. He is a wonderful addition to our family. I think they do amazing work with fostering. When you adopt a dog from Furry Kids Refuge, you know you are getting a dog that had been checked out and worked with and more than anything, loved! I have volunteered at other organizations and I can honestly say that they are the most caring group of people there is. It shows every Saturday when they take just some of their adoptable pets to Petco. That, in itself is not only a lot of work, but dedication! They deserve winning this!
Wonderful people! So caring. I adopted an 11 week old lab mix. After about a week he was coughing constantly I was so worried. I called Carla and she arranged everything got me into there vet same day! The vet said he was a very sick boy gave him 3 shots and sent me home with meds. When I went to the counter to pay they said Furry Kids Rescue were taking care of the bill I almost cried! They didn't have to do that! I simply cannot say enough about them. PRICELESS
We rescued two of our four legged family members from Furry Kids. They are a wonderful group of people and they will be my first call when the time comes to rescue another. They love all of the dogs that come through their doors and truly save lives. One of our dogs from them had some health issues due to his difficult life before meeting the Angels at Furry Kids and they were very helpful and supportive when the problems became overwhelming. We can't imagine our lives without our fur babies and are grateful to the Furry Kids staff and volunteers for giving them a second shot at life and helping them find us!
I have been a Volunteer/Foster Mom for Furry Kids for several years now. I don't work a "regular" job due to health reasons, and being involved with this organization has been a BLESSING!! The LOVE and CARE for the animals that is shown by EVERYONE in the group is AWESOME. From the President/Founder of the group all the way down to the Volunteers. We are comprised of mainly Foster homes and have 1 small kennel. Everyone in the group gives 110% into their care, love and helping to raise funds to support the rescue. We are a Non-Profit Organization and depend solely on our dedicated volunteers, fosters and loyal supporters. We have NO paid employees, The volunteers spend their personal time finding FUREVER HOMES for the animals in our program and then go back out to rescue more homeless and desperate animals. As an ALL-Volunteer rescue, we do not have a building for potential adopters to come and meet the animals in our program; we bring the animals to them.
We hold adoption events each Saturday at Lee's Summit Missouri PetCo. Each event requires we physiclly set up an environment that is comfortable not only for the animals we bring out, but also for the potential adopters that come to meet them.
Our group has operated over the past years with funding from friends, family and supporters to pay for veterinary costs, boarding, transportation and food for our rescued animals. The adoption fees we charge go toward recovering a portion of the cost of veterinary care, as you can imagine the fees can not cover all the costs incurred. Donations are small and every penny is used to care for and save these loving pets.
Our organization believes that all animals deserve respect and should be treated with dignity in all circumstances. We strive to have all people share this philosophy, creating a healthier and kinder community for humans and animals alike..
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I have been with Furry Kids for about 1 1/2 years now and it has been an awesome experience! The volunteers are all very professional and knowledgeable about the rescues they have. They are all very "hands on" when it comes to working with all the animals. I believe that having our animals in foster homes as opposed to being housed in a shelter gives them (the animals) and us (the volunteers) more one on one time making our animals more socialized and ready to enter a forever home. We are able to see how the animals interact with our family members a well as our own animals. We at Furry Kids have a mission to bring loving families and needy animals together in order to build a healthy bond and a lasting/loving friendship.
We recieved a mini Aussie pup that has become part of the family. The pup serves as a watchdog and early warning system since we live in the country. If vehicles come turn on to our road, he perks-up. The dog was in excellent shape physically and well cared for at the recue. When our vet looked him over, he gave his care a great review. The pup made an easy adjustment to our family with the support of the resuce and their advice.
My family includes two rescue dogs from Furry Kids, and I would recommend this fantastic organization to anyone looking for a pet. The people of Furry Kids made sure they connected me with pets that worked with my lifestyle and wishlist, and they went out of their way to make the adoption process an easy one. I think it is fantastic that Furry Kids offers clients a two week trial period to make sure a new pet is a good fit for the family. The people of this organization do the best job they can to set up successful adoptions, and I could not be more grateful to them for providing me with my dogs, Rudy and Benny.
Ego's are left at the door with Furry Kids Refuge, as volunteer's are too busy with placing, grooming, training, and loving the "Furry Kids". This is the most unified group I've ever seen! Last summer, a foster got loose and no less than 4 of us "hit" the Independence Animal Shelter to find him and/or spent hours driving around the area the pup was lost ---needless to say we found him. Have never seen a "kid" placed for adoption that wasn't "ready to go", meaning happy and healthy when adopted...nor heard of an animal being turned away. This group is dedicated to the protection and care of these little "refugees" and all of us take this very seriously...Foster care with this group seems very, very special too...these "babies" adore their foster Mom's and Dad's. I am very proud to be a member and hope to do more in the future (meaning fostering)
We became aware of Furry Kids Refuge thru our vets office when we were needing to fill a ‘hole’ left by the passing of one of our dogs. Success! We have had him for 5 years now and can’t imagine our home without him. This last summer we had a stray show up and stay at our home. I contacted Carla to see if they could take him as we already had 2 dogs and it would be impossible to keep him. They did not have any vacancies at that time but if we could hold on a little longer, she could see what she could do. They did find a foster home for him and just recently he found a forever home. It was such a relief for us to be able to call someone to help and know he would have good care until he was adopted. Thank you Furry Kids Refuge for all you do and certainly hope you get the support you deserve. This organization is great!
I was honored to become a volunteer of Furry Kids Refuge this year. I have never known a group to work so hard and never complain. I have seen many, many dogs & cats brought back to good health and the group work their tails off at fundraisers to pay the vet bills, and never complain. I have seen this group foster many dogs & cats, sometimes for months, some more difficult than others, and never complain. I have seen this group come to adoption events every week, set up many cages, tables, supplies, and tents, and take it all down and pack it up that night, and never complain. I have seen the pure joy on the faces of each volunteer when they have found the perfect home for one of their dogs or cats, and their have been many, many of them. I am proud and honored to be a member of Furry Kids Refuge.
I have been fostering dogs with Furry Kids Refuge for 5 years. Some of these dogs required many months (and extensive veterinary care) to heal their physical and emotional wounds. But Furry Kids Refuge and their dedicated volunteers never give up on them, and it is so rewarding (and amazing) to see these dogs blossom when given what most of us consider the basics (food, affection and necessary veterinary care). And pictures, emails, phone calls and/or visits from the our former fosters and their "forever families" spur you to take in another dog who just needs to be loved ... and has so much love to give in return.
I have been lucky enough to be a foster mom with Furry Kids' Refuge for over a year now. I have loved every minute of it! The other volunteers, board members, and foster parents are all wonderful and loving people who truly care about the well-being of the animals. I have worked with other rescue groups before but this group exceeds them all. Even while the number of homeless animals seem to keep climbing (and adoption rates may slow down), FKR continues to do their best to help each animal in need. The adoption process is very fair as are the adoption fees because each animal is spay/neutered, heartworm tested (FIV/ Feline Leukemia tested in cats), microchipped and vaccinated before going to their forever home! I'm very proud to continue to be a foster mom for this group!
I am guessing my puggle, named Lucy, was one of the first few dogs adopted through Furry Kids! I love my girl...we have traveled throughout the midwest doing agility! Thank you Furry Kids for your time, effort, thought, and most of all kind hearts! I appreciate all that you do, and I have referred many friends and family to your organization!
My mom founded this group, and I don't think we could have ever imagined that this group could have found such wonderful board members, officers, volunteers and fosters. I'm so proud to be a part of this group.
I became an adopter first. A little Pekenise stole my heart when I was going shopping at Target, right next door to PetCo where Furry Kids Refuge was doing their adoptions. They were such a neat group of people that I started fostering for them and have been doing so for over 3 years now. Watching a fostered dog grow and blossom, despite its previoius treatment, is one of the most rewarding things that I have experienced and I will continue to do it for as long as possible. FKR cares for their dogs no matter the cost.
I have had the joy of being the founder of Furry Kids' Refuge. I say this with complete honesty that this group would not be as wonderful and productive as it is without the foster homes, volunteers, members and public who support us on a daily basis. Furry Kids' Refuge has the most dedicated volunteers, foster families, members, adopters and donors. The individuals that support us are what make us strong & determined to make a difference in every animal that crosses our paths. WE are determined to do what is needed to ensure the health of every animal we take into our program, no matter the expense. Our group believes that every animal deserves respect, love, proper veterinary care, rehabilitation if needed and whatever is needed to help the animal become adoptable. We are their guardians.
We adopted our 2nd dog from Furry Kids Refuge - our experience was so wonderful that I decided to dedicate my time to volunteering with this group. Everyone goes the extra mile and does everything they can to make sure these animals never go back to the abuse/abandonment/neglect they came from.
I have been a foster parent with Furry Kids for about a year now. It started when I adopted a furry kid at their Saturday adoptions at Petco. I was so impressed with the love and dedication all the people involved displayed that I signed up tho foster. It has been a wonderful experience. Everyones main concern is the health and well being of all the animals. There is no facilaty so all the Kids are fostered and have a home environment.
Furry Kids' Refuge takes such good care of the animals in their care. They are no-kill, so if an animal needs time to get healthy either physically or emotionally/socially, they give the animal that time - as long as it takes. This is truly an awesome group that I'm proud to be part of.
My fiance and I were looking for a new furry friend to bring home after losing our previous kitty. I met one of the Volunteers to meet our future prospective cat, and I knew immediately that these people were focused on the well being of the animal so much more than the other places we have visited. They know their animals inside and out, and they genuinely care that they find good and loving homes for them.
I have worked with this group for 2 years now and have seen them go above and beyond to save the lives of animals in need. They are a wonderful group that cares so much for dogs and cats in need! They do everything possible to ensure the health and happiness of all animals in their care.
Furry Kids' Refuge is not a shelter and has no paid employees. They are staffed by an all volunteer team who have jobs, families, and pets of their own. Yet they still manage to save hundreds of homeless and unwanted animals, providing them with the love and care needed, and eventually, a forever home. I have volunteered with Furry Kids since 2008 and I am proud to be associated with this group.