Muddy Paws Second Chance Rescue is a 2015-born Rescue that we’re proud to feature as a Rescue Friend. Get to know the organization and help where you can!
Q: What is your organization called and where are you located?
A: Our organization is called Muddy Paws Second Chance Rescue. We are based in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area but service the surrounding states, as well.
Q: When, why and by whom was the organization founded?
A: Muddy Paws Second Chance Rescue was founded on January 15, 2015 by Terri Larson. Terri has twenty years of rescue experience. During this time, she has volunteered with several local rescue groups and currently serves as the Search and Rescue Coordinator on the Pottawattamie County Disaster Relief Team which has been organized to locate, rescue, and shelter companion animals in the event of a disaster. Terri organized Muddy Paws Second Chance Rescue with a broader definition of rescue than that of most rescue groups. Not only does Muddy Paws perform the traditional role of rescue groups, but Muddy Paws also offers financial assistance and training assistance to loving families who are struggling to keep their pets. When necessary, Muddy Paws also offers post-adoption training assistance to help adopted dogs adjust to their new families and homes.
Q: Are there board members, a president or officers for your group? Who are they and what do they mean to the group’s success?
A: Muddy Paws Rescue has at-large board members and officers. Terri Larson is President, Kerri Ferguson is Vice-President, and Jennifer Lenz is Secretary. Board members include Ann Krogman, Ashley Burchard, and Mary Duron. These members have been essential in building Muddy Paws into the rescue that it has become in just the short time it has been in existence. They have devoted, and continue to devote, countless hours to organize and actualize the goals set forth in the Muddy Paws Mission Statement.
Q: What is your organization’s mission and how do you execute it?
A: MUDDY PAWS MISSION STATEMENT
Muddy Paws Second Chance Rescue is a non-profit, no-kill, volunteer-based, dog rescue organization serving the Iowa and Nebraska area. We are dedicated to rescuing dogs left homeless for whatever reason, and placing them in loving, responsible, committed permanent homes.
Our dogs come from public shelters where they are at high risk of euthanasia due to overpopulation, dogs given up by their owners for any number of reasons, and those in danger of being abused or neglected.
Our adoption process involves taking considerable care in screening applicants and finding a good match for our dogs. We educate prospective adopters about the responsibilities and costs of bringing a dog into their homes, families and lives.
Animals in our care are spayed or neutered, if age appropriate, and receive all necessary veterinary care and treatment. We assist small dogs, less than 40 pounds, without regard to age, breed or physical condition, and place them in nurturing foster homes while waiting placement in their permanent homes. We also remain committed to our dogs beyond the adoption process and offer supportive services, if needed.
Finally, we strive to work with area shelters and other rescues to develop a network of supporters and volunteers in an effort to rescue as many dogs as possible, and create a better world for dogs in need.
Q: How many people volunteer for your organization?
A: Muddy Paws Rescue currently has 60 volunteers.
Q: How many animals do you rescue, foster and place in a year?
A: Since January 15, 2015, Muddy Paws Rescue has placed over 70 dogs in their forever homes.
Q: Tell us what a typical day for your organization entails.
A: There is not a typical day in rescue. During a 24-hour period, we answer e-mails from people contacting us regarding surrendering their dogs, to those having behavior issues hoping we can help, to those asking for details about some of our rescued dogs. We facilitate plans for dogs needing to come into rescue by contacting volunteers and owners. We schedule and take dogs to veterinary and grooming appointments. We train volunteers by offering training classes and hands-on instructions. We visit the homes of potential adoptive families. We work with dogs with behavior problems. We screen applicants by calling their vets and personal references. We discuss every pending placement to assure the dog is the right fit for the family and vice versa. We do post-adoption calls to make sure that the dog is adjusting to the new family. We plan play dates and arrange special one-on-one outings for foster dogs needing socialization skills. We schedule and perform adoptions. We actively recruit volunteers and screen them by contacting their vet and personal references and doing a home visit. These are just a few of the things rescue volunteers might be involved in on a daily basis.
Q: How can animal lovers in the area help you in your mission? Donations? Volunteers?
A: Muddy Paws Rescue needs more volunteers to foster our rescue dogs because the more volunteers we have, literally, the more lives we can save. Donations are also vital to our existence. They allow us to help, not only our rescued dogs, but also dogs in danger of losing their loving homes due to behavioral or financial problems. We also appreciate those who inform others about the importance of rescue, and we’d love it if they would spread the word about the work being done by Muddy Paws Second Chance Rescue.
Our website is www.muddypawssecondchancerescue.com and our Facebook page is www.facebook.com/muddypawssecondchancerescue.
If you wish to speak to someone at Muddy Paws Rescue, you can contact Terri Larson at 402 515 2570 or e-mail MuddyPaws2ChanceRescue@yahoo.com. or Terri.Larson@live.com