I have been a volunteer of Shih Tzu and Furbaby Rescue for six years, and greatly respect this organization, Members, Volunteers, Donors and the Director for their dedication. This is a "hard" rescue, dedicated to the rescue, the rehabilitation, and the rehoming of small purebred and mixed breed dogs. We believe that, somewhere, there is a home for every dog, but that we have a responsibility to place our dogs into homes that will best meet their needs, both physically and emotionally. We look for people with patient and loving hearts, and an understanding of the furbaby mind. We are also committed to educating the public about the importance of ethical, responsible, and humane pet guardianship. As a foster for STFBR, I was first trained by very experienced volunteers on what I needed to know to foster a rescue dog, possibly one who had always been crated at a puppy farm, who needed socialization with people, had many medical issues, and many other issues. The time and effort dedicated to the training of volunteer foster parents and homes, including a home inspection to ensure the safety of the rescued furbaby, also included a support group for and questions that came up.
These dogs are rescued at all ages, from puppies to seniors. They are given medical care for whatever they need; many of them came to the rescue with incredible and expensive medical and dental needs. As part of being a volunteer, I also learned to do home visits, drive transport to deliver our furbabies to foster homes and to adopters, interview Veterinarians and personal references of prospective fosters and adopters, and processed applications for both fosters and adopters.
Incredibly, this rescue is run entirely by very dedicated volunteers, and a gifted and dedicated director.
In the Spring and in the Fall, an Educational Conference is held, where we meet other volunteers and adopters, and of course, their furbabies. We fund raise, we learn, and we get to know each other.
I encourage you, if you are interested in any of our furbabies, and/or the rescue, that you join us, and learn along with us. This would benefit you, no matter what role you choose.