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It Takes a Village!

Dear Friends,

Happy Spring to all our supporters and dog lovers! Operating an animal rescue organization is always challenging, but 2022 has taken the rescue community to a new level of urgency. Shelters are at capacity and more dogs are being euthanized every day. All the city-operated animal shelters in the DFW area are at record highs with new surrenders. Unfortunately, the current protocol in the State of Texas is to euthanize animals to make more room for new surrenders at these shelters. It has been heartbreaking to see the online postings of dogs that are on a list to be euthanized and the rescues are unable to get them out due to a lack of resources and fosters.

Dogs Matter is committed to helping this crisis by building new partnerships and providing needed services with local rescues. We recently started a partnership with God Bless the Dog using our van to help transport four dogs that were either abused, abandoned, or neglected. These four dogs are now in South Dakota where they are all safe in new foster homes or have been adopted. We already have another trip in the works with God Bless the Dog heading back up there with more dogs!

We also partnered with the nonprofit organization, IF Dogs, whose mission is to rescue dogs from the euthanasia list at shelters and provide needed animal services to underserved communities. We are working with their new Mobile Grooming Program and recently joined them with our van and their trailer at the Garland Animal Shelter to bathe and groom homeless dogs. We are also planning a project to take our van to homeless camps and provide grooming services, dog food, flea and tick medicine, and other supplies for dogs in need. Most importantly, we will also be offering our fostering services to anyone wanting to get off the streets and get healthy. Our goal is prevention before their addiction destroys their ability to take care of their dog and they end up on the euthanasia list at a local shelter.

Our ability to become a bigger part of the rescue community and save more lives would not be possible without the new van that was given to us by CarLotz this past October while appearing on The Kelly Clarkson Show. The impact of being on the show has given Dogs Matter so many opportunities to save more lives as you will read in this newsletter. We are forever grateful to Kelly and her staff and the generosity from CarLotz.

Spring is about new beginnings and hope. It is Dogs Matter’s hope that through donations and more willing fosters, we can expand to help more people suffering from addiction get a second chance to get healthy and keep their beloved dogs. And by doing so, we can provide more services to help with the current crisis in the animal rescue community.

Every dog we save can prevent another dog from being euthanized during this crisis. Please be a part of our village and donate.


Stephen Knight, LCDC, CATC
Founder & Executive Director
HELP KEEP PET FAMILIES TOGETHER!
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Foster Family Spotlight

We want to introduce you to Sarah Washer Hall. Sarah and her family have graciously fostered 5 dogs for us over the last year. Those fosters include Raider (3 different times!), Ruthie & Blaze (for 9 months), Duke, and currently they are fostering Lady.

"I found Dogs Matter while doing research online for my August 31st Overdose Awareness Event. I really fell in love with the concept and thought, 'I want to do this!' I reached out and told Taylor that maybe in September when my event was over we could talk about doing something in the Houston/Conroe area. The very next day he called and said they had a large German Shepherd that couldn't stay in the apartment anymore where he was currently being fostered and could we possibly help. My husband, Kenny, drove to Dallas the next evening and that was the start with our first foster, Raider."

"I lost my son, Ethan (22), on August 24th of 2020 to an accidental overdose. By working with Dogs Matter, as well as the non-profit myself and some other moms who lost sons created, Montgomery County Overdose Prevention Endeavor (M-Cope), I feel I am giving my pain a purpose, and maybe I can help save even just one person. I love all of my dogs, and can't imagine the thought of having to surrender your pet permanently. I think the work Dogs Matter is doing is very important and I believe wholeheartedly in this organization."
 
"I have a very supportive husband that goes along with all of my crazy ideas. When I said I wanted to get involved with Dogs Matter, Kenny built indoor and outdoor kennels for me, along with a dedicated play area for the dogs. My background is in photography and graphic design, but by day I do accounting for a company that does digital marketing for the automotive industry. When we're not working, we enjoy showing our horses and spending time at our beach house, and fishing on our boat! We also own 6 dogs – Romeo, Max, Moe, Momma, Baby, and Joli – three of which were previous foster (fails!). We have 8 horses, 5 mini donkeys, a pony, 7 barn cats, and 6 dogs!"
Client Success Spotlight
 
We are very proud to spotlight Deanna & Bandit, who have been reunited after 7 months apart. We don't often extend our foster terms this long, but she worked extremely hard to make positive changes and kept in regular communication with us on her progress. Deanna is now working at Amazon, and continuing to focus on her recovery in a sober living home which has allowed her to keep Bandit with her.

"I knew I needed to seek treatment but never bothered looking much into it because there was no way I was going to lose my best friend, Bandit."
 
"With the help of my sister, GOD and the universe seems to have played a hand in connecting me to Dogs Matter. Dogs Matter showed up for me so that I could get the help I needed. It was a gift to be able to focus on myself and my recovery knowing Bandit was in good hands."
 
"I received updates and pictures to ease my mind before I would even reach that point of worrying. It’s like they knew exactly what I needed to feel relief. For the first time in my life, I was determined not to give up. I was motivated to get my dog back, get my life back, and earn my family’s trust back. Dogs Matter has been a lifeline for both Bandit and me."
 
"They have helped me totally judgment-free to where my eyes can now focus on the things in life that truly matter. I am forever grateful to Taylor, Stephen, Lisa, and all the people behind the scenes at the organization."
Featured Reunion Video & New Treatment Center Partner

Back in February, Dogs Matter received a call from Amber with My Health My Resources Tarrant County. She had a client in need of temporary foster care for his dog for 30 days while entering their treatment program. 

"The client was hesitant, as he did not want to lose his dog. Often our clients are in this situation and forfeit the help due to a pet having to be rehomed or surrendered at a shelter. Dogs Matter helped 'seal the deal' for our client."

We are happy to report that Kary and his dog Lexi were reunited on March 17. He now has over 70 days sober, working, and is back in the gym!

We want to thank the team at MHMR for trusting us, and especially thank our foster mom, Ashley, for giving Lexi the care she deserved during this difficult time.

A New Partnership With A Housing Solution
 
Dogs Matter is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Fidus Pet Concierge apartment communities that have eliminated the outdated rule of breed and weight restrictions! These beautiful, Class A-style apartment communities have NO BREED and NO WEIGHT restrictions. This is a huge feat that we’re so excited to announce to the pet care community.
 
Click here for an overview of the communities and the benefits residents of Fidus Pet Concierge Communities will receive while residing on the properties. Being a one-of-a-kind, dog-centric apartment community, each unit is catered to providing the absolute best care for pups.

Dogs Matter clients participating in our Aftercare Program can also receive financial assistance at these communities. Please share this with anyone you know who may benefit from learning about this unique housing opportunity with their dogs.

New Dogs Matter Swag
 
We have partnered with Detezi Designs on a limited-time only fundraiser. From now thru May 2 you can buy this custom-designed Dogs Matter merchandise. Each sale will trigger a donation to Dogs Matter so we can continue to help more animals and their owners on their journey to recovery.

All 5 dogs featured in the design are previous foster dogs of ours who have been reunited with their owners after completing treatment: Sophie, Moose, Nola, Petee + Blu. ORDER NOW!
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Copyright © 2022 - Dogs Matter. All rights reserved.
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Dogs Matter is a 501(c)(3) exempt nonprofit organization providing free, temporary foster care placement and supportive services specifically for dogs of addicts and alcoholics seeking substance abuse treatment and transitioning into recovery based in Dallas, TX. EIN 46-4027130.

 

Our mailing address is:
4347 W. Northwest Hwy, Ste 130 #118, Dallas, TX 75220

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