The Last Resort Small Dog Rescue Inc. (formerly "The Poodle Preserve Inc")
Our Available Dogs
Successful Adoptions in the last 28 months
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Our Featured Dogs.... Polo
Before you Adopt
We need your help! Due to the current economic situation, more pets than ever are being dumped or abandoned. Good homes are few and far between, so we have to turn down dogs daily because it is so hard to find homes for the dogs here. Our dogs are living beings who are capable of barking, relieving themselves, digging, and playing. Dogs thrive having canine companionship, and we do not adopt to homes where the dog would be alone all day without a person or another dog. While I understand that people need to work, getting your dog a companion makes the difference between a life of lonliness and a life of contentment. The only exceptions to this rule are senior dogs who sleep most of the day. If the thought of a dog barking, shedding, digging or having an accident makes you cringe, we recommend a robotic dog. They have no needs of their own, and will be there for you when you have time for them. Keeping a single dog crated is not fair to the dog. Humans would go crazy locked in a closet alone with no tv, radio, phone, books, or computer 9-15 hours a day. However, people routinely inflict this solitary confinement and boredom on their dog without a second thought. Two dogs are much happier, as they provide exercise and companionship for each other. As far as adoption fees, please understand that the ONLY way to keep the rescue going is by bringing in funds to continue helping these dogs. Monthly donations do not even cover one fourth of the cost of dog food every month. At this point, I am personally close to $100,000 in the hole, and will never, ever break even doing rescue, let alone get paid even a dime for the endless work. My foster homes are also thousands of dollars in the red due to veterinary bills, and their adoption fees go towards those bills. This is literally a 24 hour a day job, 7 days a week, and I have not had a day off or a vacation in over 7 years. Interestingly, people seem to have no problem giving breeders large sums of money for dogs, and the breeders do not pay to spay or neuter their dogs before they sell them, but balk at supporting rescues. Yet rescues are simply trying to clean up the mess created by breeders and irresponsible owners that let their dogs reproduce. While I don't resent doing all this for the dogs, I do resent people who are better off financially complaining about the adoption fees, and 99.9% of Americans have more income than I do. The adoption fee is a drop in the bucket compared to what the dog will cost, so "trying to get a deal" makes little sense. The highly adoptable dogs must pay for those who are less adoptable. For every "high-priced" dog, there are 3 behind the scenes that are unadoptable and have cost thousands of dollars. The money to take care of them has to come from somewhere. Relying on donations, especially in these difficult economic times, would mean being shutdown within a month. For those who are wanting a "cheap" dog, you are welcome to adopt from shelters, as most are municipally funded and can ask lower fees. Also, most shelters do not screen for homes, and will let anyone who wants a dog have one, no matter how inappropriate the home. Having rescued over 700 dogs, many of whom had special needs, we are truly the "last resort" for these dogs, and we have to advocate for them in any way possible. When people with 2 homes and who are taking vacations in Europe try to haggle on the adoption fees, it is a little demoralizing. We did not create the overpopulation problem, nor are these dogs responsible for the mess they are in either. They are in trouble due to human selfishness, stupidity and greed. While it would be wonderful if we were independently wealthy and didn't need money coming in, it isn't reality. We are simply compassionate people going broke financially helping as many dogs as we can. Please do not contact us for the sole purpose of complaining about the adoption fees. If you would like to volunteer for fundraising, which is something we do not have the time to do since every moment is devoted to taking care of the dogs, we would love to hear from you. Thanks for your understanding.Who We Are
A life-changing accident in May of 2000 was the start of my rescue "career". What seemed at the time like a horrible event was actually one of the best things that ever happened to me. Years of sports injuries and a final fall with a horse left me with two herniated cervical disks, stenosis and degenerative disk disease. This ending of my athletic life was the beginning of my evolved life (It would have been great if I could have evolved without the disintegration, but obviously I needed a jump-start). Because I could no longer devote myself to my previous love--the training of horses, I channeled that into rescuing dogs. And now, if a miracle occurred and I was "Healed", I could never go back to that way of life, while so many dogs are suffering and facing extinction every day. The Last Resort focuses on smaller special needs (including physical and behavioral problems), difficult-to-place, and senior dogs of any breed and mix. (rescuing only Poodles lasted less than a week). My 2.5 acres in the Pines is a sanctuary for senior dogs. Shelters call when they have 15 & 16 year old owner turn-ins (difficult to believe, I know) and older strays they consider unadoptable. Sometimes I think my place should be named, "The Isle of Misfits", but they are Misfits only to those who do not see their inner beauty. Watching unwanted, old, and abused dogs come to life and play with joy, knowing they are safe and loved, is the most rewarding feeling I have ever experienced. It really takes so little effort on our parts to make a difference between life and death. I have met wonderful people in Rescue and precious beings who I am so grateful to have known. People have asked how I can take in old dogs knowing I might lose them soon. The response is: It isn't about me--it is about giving an innocent being love for whatever length of time they have left, whether it is a few days or a few years. I do cry when it is time to say goodbye, but I know that I did what I could while they were here and was with them as their spirit was set free. It would be far worse knowing they had spent their last days in a shelter, abandoned, alone, and afraid. The Last Resort, Inc. is a State Licensed Rescue, a non-profit organization, and 501 (c) 3 status (tax-exempt) is pending IRS approval.Rescue: The Toughest Job One Ever Pays to Do
Those of us in rescue spend an endless amount of time and money helping the unwanted. We are always in need of donations. To those who ask what the donation would go towards: Money goes for the endless vet expenses for rescue dogs and the senior and special-needs dogs I take in; it goes towards shots, altering, worming, taking care of external parasites (some of these dogs arrive covered in ticks and mites); it helps cover treatment for erlichia, giardhea, coccidia, and other bacterial illness; it goes towards the $13,000 I am in the hole of my own money spent on rescue; If any is left over, it helps with fencing, supplies, damage done to the house by rescue dogs; dog food; dog treats; gas for the countless thousands of miles spent transporting rescue dogs; toward my car, which is on its way out with 243,000 miles on its odometer. What money doesn't go for: the 24 hour dedication to rescue; nursing ailing puppies and seniors around the clock; the time spent feeding, cleaning up after, grooming, and training these dogs; the time spent transporting to save lives and take dogs to the vet; the emotional cost.Adopting a friend
Out-of-state inquiries are welcome. The adopter must agree to notify The Last Resort if they need to relinquish the dog for any reason.Come Visit Us!
The Last Resort Small Dog Rescue, Inc. is 75 miles southwest of Colorado Springs, and 70 miles west of Pueblo. We are centrally located between Canon City, Westcliffe, and Salida. Please Call or email for an appointment: phone number & email are listed below. Together we can make a difference. Each life counts! Find out how you can help make a difference, whether through fostering, volunteering, or donating (Any or all of the three would be appreciated!)The Last Resort Small Dog Rescue.
Cotopaxi, CO 81223
Phone: (719) 942-3738 .
Email: rescuerehab@earthlink.net
Click here for a list of pets at this shelter
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