Save-A-Mutt

GiveBig 2024 - SafeHaven Dogs

Many animal rescue groups thought the Covid years were rough, but it now seems the 'post-covid' years are worse. Record numbers of dogs are being surrendered to rescues and shelters. Increases in euthanasia rates nation wide are heartbreaking. Rescues are over capacity, burnt out, and trying to care of the huge increase in medically needy dogs. Save-A-Mutt's SafeHaven program puts dogs into forever foster homes. For a variety of reasons, a dog may be deemed 'unadaptable' due to medical needs that a typical family can't afford. At first the SafeHaven dogs seemed to be mostly Senior dogs that were dumped at the local shelter. SAM's Senior Dog Program works with the local shelter to assess these dogs both medically and behaviorally - they get medical testing and treatment, and then go to a foster home for further evaluation. 

In the last couple years, we are seeing younger dogs that need major medical care, or have a medical condition(s) that make them unlikely to find their forever home. Our SafeHaven has dogs as young as 3 and as old as 15. They are loved and cared for by their forever fosters, but SAM pays for food, medical care, medications and other expenses as needed. We are the financial support system for dog and family. And, when the time comes to say our final goodbye, SAM works with the foster families to make that decision and give them the comfort they need. 

Mission

Save-A-Mutt is a small, volunteer run rescue that works to pull dogs from shelter systems and prepare them for forever homes. Save-A-Mutt's 'Foster First' program puts shelter dogs - from puppies to senior dogs - into foster homes. Once placed with a foster family, those dogs receive socialization, medical care and love! The family observes each dog and those observations help Save-A-Mutt place the dog in a forever home that is best suited for their personality and needs. In 2022, we spent over $23,000 on foster expenses and another $119,000 on veterinary costs.