If you are looking to add a furry friend to your family this year, you can help save a life by adopting a pet from a local shelter or rescue organization.
Cypress’ Big Love Rescue saves and finds homes for lost or abandoned dogs across the greater Houston area. The organization does not have a facility, but instead utilizes foster homes to help care for the dogs until they are healthy enough for adoption.
“We rescue from shelters to the streets,” said Christina Sims, Board for Director member for Big Love Rescue. “We help owners that can no longer keep their dogs. We also spay and neuter owned dogs and dogs on the street, because stopping the cycle is the only solution to this.”
Houston-area shelters receive thousands of abandoned or stray animals each year. Due to oversaturation at the shelters and not enough homes, many unadopted dogs and other animals often end up euthanized. Sims explains that choosing to adopt a rescued pet helps decrease the overpopulation cycle.
“Rescuing those dogs makes room for more dogs, and obviously you’re rescuing a dog that would have most likely died,” Sims said.
Sims adds that adoption also helps fight against illegal breeding practices that keep dogs in unethical environments, also known as “puppy mills.”
Big Love Rescue takes in all dogs, regardless of breed and size. Although many rescues are mixed breeds, rescue groups and shelters often have purebred dogs available for adoption. However, Sims warns that it’s important to research the breed first, since many purebreds frequently end up abandoned, such as German Shepherds, Pitbulls, Huskies, and Labrador Retrievers.
“Getting a dog that’s a fit for the lifestyle not just based on looks is so important,” she said. “That’s what you get to know with a dog in a foster home because they’ve been in a home. You know if they are crate trained, house trained and how they are with other dogs, cats and kids. You can place them in the appropriate home.”
Adopting from a rescue or shelter is also a more cost-effective choice. Big Love Rescue’s adoption fee is $350, while many breeders can charge between $500 and $3,000.
Along with the adoption fee, Big Love Rescue provides the dogs with microchips and addresses their medical needs, including vaccinations, spay and neuter treatments, and heartworm and flea prevention.
“The adoption fee doesn’t cover all that we have to put into the dog, but it helps us continue to be able to save more dogs,” Sims said. “We have to fundraise a lot, because we have some dogs that have cost us $10,000, and we have some dogs that have cost us $5,000. We rarely have a dog that comes in as healthy and doesn’t cost over $350, but that is our adoption fee.”
Because rescued animals often suffer from unknown histories and trauma, Sims said the organization also provides a behavioral training program for foster owners who care for dogs that are learning to trust again.
“We’ve been able to successfully adopt out dogs that have had issues just by working with them through the trainer and the foster,” she said. “Because honestly for us, behavioral training is just as important as medical (treatment) to help these dogs become adoptable and work through anything that they have.”
Big Love Rescue’s adoption application and available dogs can be found on their website or through PetFinder.com. To ensure they place a dog in the appropriate home, the application process incudes information about current pets, a home check and a meeting between the potential owner and dog.
“As a rescue, we need to be very careful about where we place our dogs,” she said.
For those who might not be ready to commit to adopting a dog long-term, fostering through a rescue group is a great alternative. When it comes to fostering through Big Love Rescue, Sims said they cover all the medical treatments, supplies, and whatever the foster needs to help prep the dog for adoption.
“I always try to tell people that fostering saves lives, literally,” she said. “Your heart breaks a little bit, but you just saved a dog.”
Learn more about the adoption or fostering process at bigloverescue.org or follow Big Love Rescue on Facebook for frequent updates about adoption events, fundraisers and more.
Meet the Rescues Ready for a Home
Watson
Age: 1.5
Breed: German Shepherd Mix
Characteristics: Friendly, Affectionate, Playful, Smart, Athletic, Funny, Loves Kisses
Meet Watson: Watson adores cats and children, but he prefers to be the only dog of the house. One of his favorite activities is walking in serene, unpopulated areas for some one-on-one time with his human.
A Note from Watson: “By choosing me as your one and only four-legged companion comes with a promise. A promise to be by your side through thick and thin, to provide unwavering loyalty and companionship, and to fill your life with joy and laughter. I may have had a rough start, but with you, my future is brimming with endless possibilities and love.”
Lily
Age: 4 months
Breed: American Staffordshire Terrier Mix
Characteristics: Friendly, Affectionate, Playful, Smart, Curious
Meet Lily: Lily is all about playtime, especially with other dogs. She is also super smart – she knows how to sit on command and is a pro at going into her crate when asked.
A Note from Lily: “My dream forever family would have kids to play with, a big, fenced yard for adventures, and maybe even a couple of doggy pals to hang out with (the more, the merrier, right?). I'm up for lots of playtime and walks, and as I grow older, I'd make an excellent running partner. But honestly, I'd be over the moon with anyone who gives me love, playtime, and those wonderful walks.”
Maggie Mae
Age: 3
Breed: Dachshund Mix
Characteristics: Friendly, Affectionate, Smart, Couch Potato, Loyal
Meet Maggie: Maggie prefers a quiet home with older or no children but enjoys other dogs once she warms up to them. Although she has to learn to trust humans again after a tragic beginning, she has gained so much confidence and is ready to for her forever home.
A Note From Maggie: “I might be shy, but once I get to know you, I promise to remain loyal. I have gained so much confidence in my foster home and can hardly wait to find my forever human.”
Ben
Age: 3
Breed: Chocolate Labrador Retriever Mix
Characteristics: Friendly, Affectionate, Playful, Smart, Athletic, Couch Potato
Meet Ben: Ben adores dogs, children, walks, car rides, and most especially, water. He also knows basic commands and is eager to learn more.
A Note from Ben: “I would love to tell you a few things about myself. I am a happy guy. I have been living with my foster Mom, brothers and sisters (fur and human) and they are THE BEST! I love them all and I know I will love you too! My absolute favorite thing in life is WATER!! It is so much fun to swim.”
Blitzen
Age: 3
Breed: Vizsla & Shar-Pei Mix
Characteristics: Friendly, Affectionate, Loyal, Playful, Smart, Brave, Curious, Funny, Athletic, Loves Kisses
Meet Blitzen: Blitzen enjoys walks in the park, playing with his toys, and snuggling with his humans. He has a brother, Boone, who he would love to bring with him to his new home, but he’d be just as content as an only fur child.
A Note from Blitzen: “I am a happy guy, but I would be SO much happier if I had my own home. I would love it even more if my brother Boone could live there too! But we have discussed it, and we are both ok going to separate fur-ever homes. I need a real family who will be there for me. I am not going to lie, I have had it rough, living on the streets of Cleveland, TX when it was FREEZING outside. While I am hanging out in my boarding room (that I keep super clean BTW), I daydream about a home with an adult or even two to show how much I love them.”
Hurley
Age: 1.5
Breed: Carolina Dog & German Shepherd Mix
Characteristics: Friendly, Affectionate, Gentle, Playful, Smart, Athletic, Loves Kisses
Meet Hurley: Hurley enjoys the simple things life: Rolling in the dirt, hanging out with other dogs and taking a dip in the pool. He clocks in at a solid 80 pounds, making her the perfect teammate for a game of soccer or catch.
A Note from Hurley: “I've got a knack for goofiness and a personality that just invites love effortlessly. You'll find me happily dashing around the yard with dogs of all shapes and sizes, relishing every moment of outdoor play. Exploring the woods or lounging by the lake, count me in!”