In an effort to save shelter dogs across the county from being euthanized, Ozzies Pound Puppies will rescue dogs who have run out of time at a shelter and help find them homes.
The Founder, Lisa Mendelsohn, says she started the rescue back in May of 2013 after her own beloved pet named Ozzie passed away. She decided to adopt two litter puppies from a shelter in the Central Valley. Unfortunately they both came down with Parvo.
Her choices were to either return her new pets to the shelter where they would surely die or treat them herself—animal lovers know what choice she made. After having to pay enormous vet bills to keep the pair alive, she was happy they had made it, but thought of all the other people in her position who maybe had to return their new pets.
Facing high medical costs, people sometimes have had to make the heart wrenching decision to return their newly adopted pet due to an unknown medical condition. Mendelsohnwanted to help others so she decided she should start her own rescue that would help pay for treatments of medical issues that may pop up after one begins fostering or have adopted from her rescue. Ozzies Pound Puppies rescue in Concord was born.
The rescue currently has between 6 and 8 foster families and is always looking for more volunteers. To date, the rescue has saved more than 50 lives by fostering until “forever homes” can be found.
The focus of the rescue is on rescue dogs. A rescue dog is a dog who may be surrendered to a shelter for one of many reasons such as it becomes aggressive; it’s no longer a cute puppy, moving, divorce, or has grown to big, etc.
Despite what people may think, animals feel abandoned and scared when they enter a shelter and may even hide in a corner of the kennel, head bowed, body pressed against a wall and sickened with sadness. The once playful and cuddly dog can no longer muster up the energy to even look at another human.
In response, when shelter staff comes to evaluate him they may think this behavior seems shy (NOT AGGRESSIVE) . So because of this a dog is deemed as a rescue dog only. A dog may never even be seen by the public which increases his already high odds of getting euthanized.
This is where Ozzies Pound Puppies steps in. They pull the dog from the shelter, and wouldn’t you know it after being with a foster family for one night the dog becomes a perfect gentleman. Many times, the dog is well behaved, loves kids, and still is a very large breed (but some of us think that’s just more to love).
For dogs with medical issues or dogs that are a bit shy, Ozzies Pound Puppies is heaven sent. Over 50 dogs have been saved in only a year.
It’s difficult to imagine or even begin to think where some of these dogs could have ended up. Ozzies Pound Puppies is a rescue dedicated to helping these pups have a chance at life.
You can visit Ozzies Pound Puppies Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OzziesPoundPuppies or visit their website at www.ozziespoundpuppies.org
O’Neil was rescued on April 2nd 2013 from Martinez shelter. His birthdate is 9/6/12. O’Neil is good with other dogs and also children but needs a cat free home. O’Neil is a
Staffordshire mix and very strong and therefore needs a firm handler for walks. O’Neil enjoys playing with other dogs, going on walks, hanging out on the grass and loves to eat.
He listens very well and knows all his basic commands. O’Neil will be available for FREE for qualified adopters on May 31st for Maddies Day. If you are interested in O’Neil please scan an application http://ozziespoundpuppies.org/adoptionapp2.pdf to [email protected] or visit their website at www.ozziespoundpuppies.org
Written by Kristy Keusch
