The economic downturn and home foreclosures
have resulted in the displacement of many pets.
These companion animals need assistance from MARS.
We are unable to provide this assistance without foster homes.
Please email
info@miniaussierescue.org if you can volunteer as a MARS foster home.
Our BusterAlert education project just passed its three year anniversary. Our website continues to receive many visitors and we regularly field email queries on MDR1 from around the world.
**News**
Foster Homes Needed We have had an increasing number of dogs in foster care in the past few months. As a result, we have maxed out all of our available foster homes. If we do not get some new foster homes, we may have to turn away dogs! Homes are especially needed in the Pacific Northwest and California; however, we would be happy to add foster homes anywhere in the country. If you or anyone you know could foster a dog, even for just a few days in an emergency situation, please email pnw_mars_volunteer@hotmail.com if in the Northwest, or volunteer@miniaussierescue.org for other areas of the US and Canada.
Seniors for Seniors Pacific NW MARS is pleased to announce the Seniors for Seniors adoption program. MARS often gets in senior dogs that face challenges in finding a home. Senior citizens often want a dog that is calmer than the average Mini Aussie. Matching senior dog to senior citizen benefits both dog and guardian. As an added bonus, the adoption fee is greatly reduced when adopting a senior dog. Senior dogs often have difficulty finding a home. Applicants seeking to adopt a dog may not want an older dog because they do not want to adopt a pet and then have it die shortly thereafter. However, many senior dogs have years of healthy life ahead of them. Older dogs make great companions, especially for seniors. Older pets are usually already housebroken, often have some basic obedience training, and are calmer than younger dogs. Senior people are benefited by dog guardianship. Having a canine companion can mean lower blood pressure, fewer trips to the doctor, and less depression. Seniors with pets find it easier to make new friends, pets can help ease loneliness, and they also help people cope with loss. People with pets tend to be more active and take better care of themselves than people without pets. A dog can also help a senior feel more secure. Please email pacificnw_mars@yahoo.com for more information.
Feed a Dog a Day Food is one of our our biggest expenses in rescue. It costs about $1.00 per day to feed a foster dog a high-quality kibble. If you'd like to help provide food for our rescue dogs, please consider donating $30.00 for a month of food for one dog. Of course, donations of any amount will be greatly appreciated. Please email pacificnw_mars@yahoo.com for more information on donating to help Mini Aussies.
PNW MARS Amazon Store Your purchases on Amazon.com can benefit Mini Aussies. Every time you click on this link, PNW MARS Amazon Store, a portion of your purchase price will go directly to help Mini Aussies in foster care. We've selected some of our favorite products to display in our store and will continue to add more.
Customized Collar ID Tags You can help support Mini Aussies by purchasing a customized collar ID tag. You can choose brass, stainless steel, or a colorful tag with Swarovski crystals. Most of the tags can be custom engraved on both sides. Please email pacificnw_mars@yahoo.com for a list of styles, colors, and prices. All profits from tag sales will go to support Mini Aussies in MARS.
Mini Aussie Magnets Show your love for Mini Aussies and also support Mini Aussies by purchasing a Mini Aussie magnet. The magnets are suitable for display on a vehicle or perhaps on a refrigerator. Please email pacificnw_mars@yahoo.com to see the magnet designs. All profits from magnet sales will go to support Mini Aussies in MARS.
Rescue T-Shirts A wide variety of beautiful rescue T-shirts for both dogs and cats are available for purchase. Please email pacificnw_mars@yahoo.com to see the available designs. All profits from T-shirt sales will go to support Mini Aussies in MARS.
2012 Mini Aussie Calendars Mini Aussie Rescue & Support (MARS) has two wall calendars available for 2012. Funds raised from the calendars will help MARS rescue Mini Aussies. Both calendars are in the MARS online store at CafePress MARS Store. Plan on spending the year with photos of beautiful Mini Aussies in your calendars.
Mini Aussie Fun Day Our Third Annual MARS Fun Day will be held in October at Fido's Farm in Olynpia, WA. We'll have herding evaluations, off-leash play areas, sheep for experienced herders, and a potluck. Email pacificnw_mars@yahoo.comfor more information and to register for the event. It's open to all breeds.
Clicker Training Clicker training is a fun, fast, and force-free method of training your dog. Clicker training is based on learning principles and focuses on rewarding specific behaviors rather than correcting a dog. If you are new to clicker training, this video gives a brief overview of it, An Introduction to Clicker Training. More online information on clicker training can be found at the following websites: Clicker Training Lessons; Clicker Training USA; ClickerSolutions; and Karen Pryor Clicker Training.
**Adoption Information**
Is a Mini Aussie right for you? Mini Aussies are exploding in popularity as more people discover these wonderful dogs. However, they are not for everyone. Mini Aussies can live 12 to 15 years, so getting a Mini Aussie is not a decision to be taken lightly. When placing a herding dog into a new home, it is important to carefully match the energy level of each Miniature Australian Shepherd with the right guardian. Some Mini Aussies might live comfortably in an apartment; however, many will be too active and require much more room than an apartment provides. Mini Aussies can be reserved with strangers, so it helps to socialize them with people outside their own families. While their coats are beautiful, they do shed. Consequently, they are not recommended for people allergic to dog fur and dander. Mini Aussies are extremely loving, devoted to their guardians, and incredibly smart. They are NOT a good choice for children because of their herding instincts. A Mini Aussie will want to be a part of your life. They are often called Velcro dogs because they will follow you everywhere. If you can provide lots of time, exercise, training and love, a Mini Aussie might be the right dog for you!
How do you apply to adopt a Mini Aussie? Our volunteers know the dogs within their care and are skilled at working with applicants to select an appropriate canine companion to match individual lifestyles. If you are interested in adopting a MARS dog, please download an adoption application from our website, Mini Aussie Rescue. Email the completed form as an email attachment to pacificnw_mars@yahoo.com. The application must be sent as a Word document or as a PDF. You MUST complete the Adopter Packet forms before asking about a specific dog. Upon receipt of the application, you may be asked to attend an adoption orientation class that is useful in helping to match you with a dog. Please review your application before submittal. All portions must be completed in their entirety. Due to the extremely high volume of email that is received each day, a volunteer will not respond to incomplete applications. Additionally, no response will be sent to requests to visit dogs. Our listings are always current, so if you see a dog listed on Petfinder, it is available for adoption. Please be patient and keep us informed if your plans change.
What comes with an adopted dog? All dogs are microchipped, spayed or neutered, up to date on vaccines, and accompanied by all available vet records. Each dog comes with a martingale collar, nylon lead, backup slip lead, clicker with instructions, stainless steel collar ID hang tag, and a Fido's Farm $25 Gift Certificate. Post-adoption support is also provided. In addition, all adopters will receive the following books by Dr Patricia McConnell: Love Has No Age Limit, How to be the Leader of the Pack and Have Your Dog Love You For It, and Way to Go: How to House Train a Dog of Any Age. Adopters may also choose one of the following books: The Feisty Fido, I'll be Home Soon, The Cautious Canine, Feeling Outnumbered?, and Play Together, Stay Together.
Can you visit the dogs? There is no facility where you can stop in and visit the dogs. We are a volunteer-run, nationwide rescue organization with no permanent facilities. We have foster homes all over the United States. Please visit our website for more information about our available dogs, as well as general information about Mini Aussies.
**General Information**
Who are we? MARS is the first rescue group devoted exclusively to Miniature Australian Shepherds. Our goal is caring for, evaluating, and finding new homes for Mini Aussies in need and educating people about these wonderful dogs. MARS assists Mini Aussies of all ages, large and small. We are an all-volunteer organization that relies on donations and fund-raising to support our efforts. We are organized as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
How can you help? If you can't adopt or foster but would like to help a Mini Aussie, please consider sponsoring a dog to help provide for food, vet expenses, and other needs. Please email pacificnw_mars@yahoo.com for more information on donating to help Mini Aussies.
Mini Aussie Rescue & Support, Inc. (MARS) No facility - all dogs are in foster homes. Email only.
