After being mauled by a dog in her youth, Mandee Jones’ heart was not hardened. Rather, she felt compassion for the dogs that had been brought up viciously, and was inspired to ensure that no animal had to endure abuse and neglect. Today, she runs a nonprofit rescue center which accomplishes just that.
Q: Why did you decide to open a pet rescue center? How did you start it?
A: I always had a heart for it. I groomed dogs for over 20 years and I had the mindset of understanding them and why they act how they do. I also lived in an area where animals were dumped frequently and I knew that I wanted to save these animals.
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you face in running a rescue center?
A: Money is a big challenge. We can’t afford to take every single dog because of the costs of training, feeding, medication, and rehabilitation. There's also emotional challenges. I have this steadfast belief in God, but I still wonder why the pain and abuse animals endure is allowed. Praying for renewal each night helps me to wake up ready to keep working.
Q: What are your long term goals for the rescue center?
A: The ultimate goal is to be able to train and rehabilitate dogs and offer them for free to military veterans and to people with disabilities.
Q: What advice would you give someone thinking about adopting a pet from your rescue center?
A: Be prepared to put in the work. These dogs are coming in from rough environments so we use the 3-3-3 rule. Three days for them to relax, three weeks for them to get comfortable, three months until you see the dog's personality. So we ask when people adopt, that they have patience and understand they’re not getting a toy. They're getting a living creature.
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