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Animal rescue groups, the unsung heroes

Animal Rescue Groups the Unsung Heroes
Animal Rescue Groups the Unsung Heroes
DOG4U, Inc

Recently, a local Florida county animal control facility posted its current statistics. The numbers were pretty dismal. On average they take in 53 animals a day. This is a mix of dogs and cats. Unfortunately 53 animals are not being adopted out daily to make room for the 53 more that are going to be arriving the next day. We all know the ugly truth about what happens to the animals that are left behind that no one wants and their time expires. It is not the fault of the shelter workers, they all do the best they can but they cannot break anyone's arm into forcing them to keep their pets.

One of the biggest blessings to these county animal control offices is the small, 501 (c) 3 no kill rescues that pop up everywhere in small towns and big cities nationwide. These selfless crusaders help ease the burden of the kill shelters by taking a lot of their pets under wing and keeping them until they get adopted.

One such rescue is Dog4U, Inc in South Carolina. They started as a private rescue in 2003 and by 2009 achieved their 501 (c) 3 non-profit status. Their main goal is to take in as many animals possible under a no kill policy. They take in dogs from local shelters, saving everything from healthy puppies to adoptable, friendly adult dogs. They will also accept stray dogs and a limited number of cats as space allows. They even have several abandoned horses and cows that were the victims of extreme neglect. Their theory is by taking care of and placing unwanted and stray animals they are serving the community as well as the animals. Due to limited shelter space they rely heavily on foster homes.

According to Dog4U, Inc the situation for the dogs in the southeastern United States is dire. For some reason this part of the country's shelters are overwhelmed and constantly full due to over population. It is theorized that this is due to animal welfare laws not fuly developed in these areas, there is not enough funding for animal control officers, leash laws are few and spay and neuter programs can't keep up. This results in packs of dogs living wild in the woods. Everyday there are dog and puppy casualties on the side of the road.

Dog4U, Inc has come up with a very innovative plan for rescuing these southern dogs which involves transporting them from southeastern kennels to no kill shelters in New England. In the northeastern states the shelters are not over burdened and adoption percentages are high. They have a transport system which takes the dogs on the 1100 mile trek to New England. There is a high demand for animals in the New England area and waiting lists for puppies are months long year round. So all in all the journey north is their best option for dogs that would otherwise be euthanized.

Currently Dog4U, Inc is working on procuring funding to enlarge their quaratine area, to add training facilities and to create more indoor housing areas for the pets. More often than not the dogs come to the shelter needing months of isolation, treatment and training before they are ready for adoption.

Animal rescue is not a job that makes anyone rich, it is not glamorous, it does not lead to fame of any level. These rescuers are true, everyday heroes. They go out in all kinds of weather, day or night to rescue an animal in need, they take in the forgotten ones, the ones that are thrown away everyday like trash. They stay awake all night nursing sick dogs and cats or comforting those that are anxious and terrified. A shelter can be a scary place to these animals.

Please help Dog4U, Inc. They run exclusively on a volunteer and family basis and all donations made go exclusively toward the needs of the animals.

To keep up with news about Dog4U, Inc and to read their success stories as well as view their adoptable pets please visit their website at:

Or visit them on Facebook at:

Matthew 25:31-46: