What motivated you to start a dog rescue organization?
I was looking for a way to help. I had just adopted my first dog, six months after, I was fostering another dog and couldn’t help but also adopt him. Through volunteering and loving and caring for my own two dogs, I had a strong desire to take further action, to help as many dogs as possible.
How long has your dog rescue been in operation, and what has been the biggest challenge so far?
SSR was founded in 2012, so we've been going strong for 12 years now. The biggest challenge has been when adoptions slow down and when dogs are returned. We require that all SSR dogs come back to the rescue organization in the event that their owners are no longer able to care for them. Once a SSR dog always a SSR dog. It's sad to see dogs lose their families and not understand why.
How do you go about selecting dogs for rescue? Are there specific criteria you look for?
We look for dogs that we think will do well living in an urban neighborhood and or in an apartment building. Some pups may change their minds when they get to the city so we try to place them in the suburbs. We want everyone to thrive and live their best lives.
Are there any specific types of dogs or breeds that your rescue focuses on, or do you rescue all types of dogs?
We rescue all breeds, probably just mystery mutts ! We are mainly focused on temperaments and size. Many apartment buildings have size and breed restrictions.
How do you fund your dog rescue organization?
In the early days I personally funded the organization, that meant paying for vetting, food, transport, collars, leashes, supplies, basically everything. Now the organization is self-sustaining and funds itself through adoption fees for the dogs and donations. We do rely heavily on donations. We never know when there is a medical emergency we need to fund.
Are you primarily reliant on donations or do you have other sources of income?
We do not have sources of income. We rely on adoption fees and donations.
Can you share any success stories of dogs that were adopted and went on to live happy and fulfilling lives?
Honestly, every adoption is a success story. These dogs were at one time trash and they become treasures once adopted. We strive to find the best matched families for each dog. Some dogs play dress up and tea parties, others live bicoastal, some are European citizens, others take their jobs holding down furniture very seriously, and then there are those who romp on the beach every morning. Every forever home is a success story.
Are there any ongoing initiatives or programs that your rescue is involved in to promote responsible dog ownership or prevent dog abandonment?
We provide a lot of aftercare to our SSRs. We have created a See Spot Succeed forum on social media for adopters and volunteers to share and educate. We check in after one month to see how everyone has settled in. We also have a Dog Resource Library that we give to all adopters that is filled with PDFs, videos, and websites that will help the adopter set their dog up for success. In the Dog Resource Library, we also have recommendations for dog walkers, trainers, and Veterinarians. We are always available for our alumni.
How do you handle cases where a dog cannot be adopted due to health or behavioral issues?
Every health issue has been addressed as long as we know about it. That means we’ve paid for numerous surgeries and medical treatments. We work with knowledgeable trainers and protocols when there are behavioral issues. We do everything we can to help the dog become adoptable. We’ve had several dogs that spent months to years with us and through the help of trainers we were able to give the dog the resources to learn how to function in society and overcome their past. By having the dog work with a professional trainer, we were able to find them the right home, one where the family understands them and helps them to continue to thrive.
Can you talk about the impact your rescue has had on the local community or the overall dog welfare in the area?
SSR started in Jersey City and we have definitely seen our neighborhood become a dog loving community before our eyes. Dog focused businesses and services began cropping up. Every day we can see our SSR alumni sauntering down our local streets and avenues. We witnessed dog training and education on a daily basis.
How can individuals who are interested in supporting your dog rescue organization get involved or contribute to your cause?
Please send us an email to woof@seespotrescued.com and or fill out a volunteer application: https://seespotrescued.org/ It’s also easy to donate: https://seespotrescued.org/donate
