One lucky nine-year old cattle dog mix named Varsha has brought a celebration to Muttville Senior Dog Rescue after she enabled them to reach a special milestone this week by being the 2,000th senior dog rescued since Muttville’s founding in 2007.
Varsha was found wandering the streets of Oakland, California. A good Samaritan coaxed her into their car and brought her to Oakland Animal Services, where she was given shelter. Covered in scabs with a large portion of her hair missing — and considered geriatric — Varsha was not going to be an easy case, so three days later, OAS’s rescue partner Martha Klein reached out to Muttville.
It was an auspicious moment not just for Varsha, but for Muttville: Varsha was Mutt 2K, the 2000th dog to be rescued by the senior dog group. She went to the vet and the groomer to begin taking care of her skin problem, and her spirit seemed to be healed almost overnight.
Muttville Executive Director and Founder Sherri Franklin said,
“…at first Varsha was shy and somewhat shut down but in only one day after arriving at Muttville, she started to blossom and we instantly saw the potential of a great new home for our 2,000th dog!”
And “how sweet she is” taking the cake in the sweetness category! To date, Varsha is healing beautifully in the loving care of her current foster family.
In their first year, Muttville rescued 27 senior dogs, aged 7 and older. Six short years later, Muttville’s “rescue reach” has grown to over 500 dogs annually — primarily with the help of many supporters and volunteers. Founder Sherry Franklin remarked on the milestone:
“Rescuing and adopting out 2,000 dogs shows that there are compassionate people willing to open their homes and give these wonderful dogs a new beginning. Our success reaching this milestone shows that people do love senior dogs and can see just how special a senior dog can be. We’re well on our way to continue the plight of rescuing these precious older dogs – and with the help of Muttville’s volunteers, foster families and donors, we will reach 3,000 in no time.”
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Muttville Senior Dog Rescue is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to improving the lives of senior dogs. Muttville’s mission is to change the way the world thinks about and treats older dogs and to create better lives for them through rescue, foster, adoption and hospice. Muttville rescues senior dogs and finds them new homes or gives them hospice. Muttville also provides information about caring for older dogs and support for people who do. Through associations with shelters and other animal organizations, Muttville finds senior dogs that have been given up and are not likely to find adopted homes.
Watch “Unadoptable”, Muttville’s new video by Jane Goldman: http://bit.ly/1d5DScW
