Rescue Hotlines

An online rescue voice and network, sponsored in print by Boomer Times

The main purpose of this directory is to provide immediate contact info to be used for real emergencies in the St. Louis area, both sides of the river, including St. Charles, Lincoln, and Jefferson counties.

People listed will usually be in a position to act independently and immediately by picking up a highly adoptable* animal before it is euthanized. We already know we can't save them all, however, we also know sometimes just a few hours can make the difference when time is up in a kill facility.

Somebody has to pay the release fee. As shelter and pound contacts are established, I expect to have general policies available to post.

Most rescue organizations are already working with shelters and pounds. Unfortunately, foster homes are always in short supply, more are always needed. The most complete rescue resource list in the St. Louis area (that I know of) is www.metroanimal.org. Check those contacts first. You will find more links on individual rescue group pages.

If you want to adopt, also check www.petfinder.com. And see newbies note at the end of this page.

To be listed here, send a description of your situation (mine is below, lengthy as an example): MarthaJones1@aol.com - please use Rescue Hotlines as the subject line, unknowns will be deleted.

*Highly adoptable means young adults, spayed/neutered, purebred or mixed, with all vaccinations current and free of heartworm or FIV and FeLV.

The secondary purpose here is spreading the good news, the miracles we need to be reminded of when one more horror story comes along. Check out several happy tales and links to more: http://www.therealmartha.com/rescue/index.htm

Send yours to be added, before and after or follow-up pics always welcome too. In fact, a set of still-happily-ever-after pics gave me the idea for this page. Update on Sammie: http://www.therealmartha.com/Sammie/index.htm

Holly Luna, one very lucky stray: http://www.therealmartha.com/StrayMomma/index.htm

Wade was dumped in a ditch full of water and garbage. He lost a leg to infection, but now he's good as new, even able to jump into bed with a running start: http://www.baytownhumanesociety.org/ann_wadeupdate.htm

All story and pic submissions will be considered for publication in a book of rescue tales.

I will also post news about rescue efforts that anyone, anywhere, can circulate. See dog auction petition and new ribbon campaign below. Be sure to refresh this page whenever you visit.

Martha Jones, Troy, Missouri:

I am a dog person, don't have a clue about cats. I have a large fenced yard currently in use by two extremely lively, medium-sized, nutless mutts (one well on his way to topping out at junior moose). If absolutely no other place was available to stash a medium to large dog, male or female, my boys would be happy to share their accommodations (inside too of course), temporarily, with the understanding that whoever contacts me knows they can permanently place our guest within a week or two; or retrieve that guest for temporary placement elsewhere. Potential adopter(s) would be welcome to visit by appointment, accompanied by the dog's original sponsor. Formal adoption must be arranged through a shelter or rescue organization.

A dog needing a brush up on social manners would be better off someplace else, however potty manners have never been an issue. Pups have always learned from the older dog in residence, and I have a high-drama act for expressing disappointment that's worked quite well on adults, even when they've been strictly outside dogs before.

High energy is also not a problem, my boys run each other to exhaustion at least once every other hour, inside and out. A tiny or very timid dog would not be happy here.

My dogs do not have fleas, or ticks. When the little bundle of P & V arrived unexpectedly, he was loaded with ticks. Picked them off - that was the end of that. I would expect a foster to be parasite free.

Feel free to copy and adjust any of the above to set your own rules. I would not expect anyone to take an animal I didn't know something about, nor would I expect anyone to be misled by my criteria.

Eventually, I do want one more permanent resident. She will have to be a sturdy model, obviously. Don't care what kind, except I already have enough regular grooming to do so long hair would not be my first choice. Can't be short bristly either, gives me hives. Also, definitely* could not live through one more puppyhood. Really don't need another "teenager" going through the awkward months either, around 3- to 7-years old would be ideal.

My sister, who also rescues/fosters, thinks my guidelines are too strict. They have to be, I'm not running a shelter. Doesn't mean the rules can't be bent a little.

*One of these days I'll learn about those definite statements. Miss Emma Lee, six months old, was simply too much to resist. Details: http://www.therealmartha.com/FurkidFunfair04/index.htm plus a full report on activities, great pics and plans for next year.

Send your specifics, including phone and/or e-mail. I'm making this up as I go along, any suggestions would be appreciated. I already have quite a few contacts who have their own contacts and so on. Please send to anyone you think might be interested, and watch for updates.

Rose English, Boomer Times owner and publisher www.BoomerTimes.net

Boomer Times is also sponsoring the first ever Furkid Funfair to benefit various animal welfare organizations: http://www.therealmartha.com/FurkidFunfair/index.htm

Our pages are good for paws!

http://www.boomertimes.net/Shanis%20Shelter.htm and http://www.therealmartha.com/ShelterSpotlight/index.htm

Any online, on-air or print support is greatly appreciated. Let me know what you can do to spread the word, including a mention in business, club, or personal newsletters and/or Websites/message boards.

I also want to set up recognition for employers who cooperate on bringing special case (around the clock care/supervision) fosters to work. So far, I only know of one itty bitty kitty. Mary named her Gracie, "Here by the grace ... ."

Gracie is 6 months old now. Mary will be sending an update pic and a few more details to post soon. That baby's had a rough time. She had a reaction to first vax and had to spend the night in an emergency clinic; had to have Benadryl before the next. Shaken Baby Syndrome caused trouble with her back legs when she started walking and going potty. Tests showed neurological damage in the brain. Resident dogs invaded the shed momma cat chose for litter delivery. Frightened momma took off with one kitten. It's possible the dogs did the shaking before the homeowners interrupted. I think it's possible momma accidentally hurt her baby, much the same way the Roy (of Siegfried & Roy) insists Montecore the tiger was instinctively trying to protect him after he fell.

It's all speculation. Please, no mail on either story. Whatever the truth might be, ours is not to question Mother Nature. We just have to do the best we can by picking up the pieces.

More from Mary, "She is quite mischievous and her best buddy is my 6-year-old cat, Sir Tony. He weighs in at 18 lbs. 8 oz. and Gracie is about a whole 3 lbs. She also enjoys wrestling with Tigger, my 1-year old, and another foster baby her age."

My boys love to go to work at Auntie Rose's.

I can't go anywhere without the hairy gray one at left. Always thought separation anxiety was a crock, until I saw it. Scoopy cries like he's being beat if Mike or I leave the car, when one of us is still sitting there. Doesn't happen too often but oddly enough, because Scoopy is such a cutie it's all worked out for great PR. He has his own goodwill ambassador cards encouraging everyone to visit the buddies he left behind at the shelter.

To Scoopy's right are Miss Sizzle Swizzle Butt Shani, her brother the suave and debonair Bogey, my poor starving Shugee (Sugar Baby) and the ever-patient Homey, who truly has seen it all, read that: enough Westies to last him for a while, "So only if we have to, OK Mom?"

Everybody gets along fine, especially these two love bugs.

I will also post notices like the below because anyone can sign and pass along. I probably will not post individual or out of the area cases. By the time I get the usual cross-post requests, at least two copies have already gone to the right people to pass along to their own networks. That does not mean you can't ask. All submissions are subject to editing for brevity.

My message: Judge Davies needs to be enlightened about puppy mills. If that doesn't change the ruling, Davies and everyone who could have done something will all have blood on their hands.

Halloween is upon us, don't forget to include a dangers/cautions list in newsletters and other publications (or send to editors). I have a pretty good short article if you need ideas. MarthaJones1@aol.com - subject line: Halloween dangers. Tips will be posted here soon to copy.

Once again, I'm always open to positive suggestions. I intend this to function as an open forum. You can vent frustrations, scream if you need to, but I will not post any useless bitching about specific people or organizations. Every story has more than one side, check the facts before you go off on a toot - anywhere.

Let's all keep in mind we're working for the animals, every one of which is completely nonjudgmental and unburdened by those troublesome egos.

Stay tuned! Or, request e-mail update(s): MarthaJones1@aol.com - please use Rescue Hotlines as subject line.

http://www.therealmartha.com/spayneuter/index.htm - Free S/N graphics, I'm always happy to customize

http://www.therealmartha.com/CritterIndex/index.htm - Lots more critter pages, from pure silly to tackling the serious issues, including fundraising ideas along the way

http://www.therealmartha.com/Chewapalooza/index.htm - Toy sales benefit animal welfare, find out how

Newbies note: Some breed-specific rescues take in mixes too. They're often the best choice for someone who couldn't handle a full Aussie shepherd for instance. Other herders, such as collies and various shepherds are generally hyper and can be destructive if they don't have "work" to do. The average idiot doesn't do enough breed research - way too many dogs are dumped for trying to do exactly what they're bred for. Conscientious, reputable breeders will not sell without a thorough home check, after their questions are answered satisfactorily. They also have must-be-returned policies as part of the sales contract for whatever reason a pup may not work out.

Most breeds have some kind of bad reputation thanks to backyard "enterprises" and puppy mills screwing up bloodlines. "Registry" is no guarantee of health or temperament. Buyer beware, and don't even think about a pup or kitten from a pet store. Demand must cease before even a dent is made in mill misery.

Unlike some rescue people, I do not have a problem with quality breeders. The human race would be in a sorrier state than we are thus far without dogs trained to take advantage of age-old genetic programming. Dogs, cats, horses, birds, and the list goes on, are finally being recognized for their therapeutic value to a wide range of special-needs people of all ages.