Organizations saving hundreds of pets

By Rachel Rausch
Post-Crescent West

Throughout the world, one can find dogs, cats, birds, snakes, hedgehogs, turtles and even tarantulas residing in homes with adults and children.

Pets of all kinds are a mainstay in modern society, providing companionship and joy to their owners who often consider them to be members of the family.

At the same time, however, animal shelters, humane associations and animal welfare organizations work endlessly to care for and find homes for unwanted pets.
In the Fox Cities, dozens of volunteers open their own homes — and wallets — to prepare animals for adoption and rescue them from being euthanized. These good-hearted souls make up a breed of their own.

Taking in the orphans

A little more than a year ago, Emily Anderson and Nicole Boesken founded Orphan Animal Rescue and Sanctuary. Working with a group of about 20 local residents who serve as “foster parents,” the nonprofit organization has facilitated nearly 400 pet adoptions.

“Our motto is changing lives, one at a time,” said Anderson, of Neenah, who volunteered with animal welfare organizations for 10 years before launching the rescue organization.

Orphan Animal Rescue and Sanctuary takes in overflow dogs, cats and even rabbits from local shelters, but also has accepted animals from as far away as Arkansas.

“We help when the shelters are over their capacity or have special-needs pets,” Anderson said. “We take them into our homes and socialize them and get them adoptable.”

The volunteer foster homes are reimbursed for expenses like food and veterinary bills through adoption fees, but often they pay for the animals’ needs out of their own pockets.

In addition to adoption fees and donations, the organization holds brat fries, garage sales and special fundraisers to pay for the operation.

Anderson currently is fostering four cats and three puppies, and has four cats of her own. Altogether, she’s fostered 150 animals.

She ended up keeping her first foster cat, 12-year-old Mr. Handsome, who suffers from health problems. He was surrendered at the Fox Valley Humane Association’s shelter because his owner could no longer care for him.

“As a foster, you know you can’t keep them all,” Anderson said, “but it’s the most rewarding thing when you meet that family that will be their forever home.”

For the love of the breed

\While groups like Anderson’s take in a whole menagerie of pets, Dave Kanouse of New London, represents the animal-lovers who set out to rescue specific breeds.

Since 2006, Kanouse has been involved with the national Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue organization. He began with fostering and progressed to serving as regional coordinator for Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.

Like Orphan Animal Rescue, the rescue is nonprofit, entirely run by volunteers and funded through adoption fees, fundraisers and donations.

Kanouse adopted his first Rhodesian Ridgeback, 4-year-old Rex, from a shelter.

“I’d never heard of them before,” he said. “They’re not a common dog up here. Many of them come from Texas and southern states where they’re more popular.”

A full-grown Ridgeback typically weighs about 90 pounds. They were bred as hunting dogs in South Africa.

In addition to dogs that have been surrendered, Kanouse takes in dogs that have been rescued from puppy mills or that suffer from behavioral problems.

“We’ve had dogs that have never seen grass or linoleum or carpet,” he said. “I evaluate them and work with them one-on-one so I can help find the best match for a family. It can take anywhere from one to six months to reprogram a dog and make it adoptable.”

Kanouse has fostered 17 Ridgebacks and works closely with six other foster families in the state. Currently, he’s taking care of Fargo, a Ridgeback that displayed aggressive behavior and would have been euthanized.

“I’ve been working with him for three months and he’s coming around,” said Kanouse, adding that he’ll be adopting Fargo as his own.

Kanouse said working with the dogs is like a full-time job, but he doesn’t mind.

“I’m in it because I love the breed. They’re like children. They give back to you more than you give to them. If I could save every dog in the world I’d probably do it.”

Not just dogs and cats

Dogs and cats are the most popular domesticated pets, but there are plenty of other animals that need rescuing.

Fox Valley Ferret shelter in the Town of Ellington has become so crowded in the last few months, owner Nanette Thurber has had to place about 10 of the furry creatures in foster care.

Thurber opened the facility in February 2007. It, too, depends on volunteers, donations and adoption fees to operate. The ferrets come from shelters as well as people who stop by to surrender their pets. Right now, Thurber has more than 50 ferrets placed in rooms for high and medium activity levels as well as a “senior” room.

“We cover half the state and the UP,” Thurber said. “I never turn anybody away.”

Thurber said the most common reasons people surrender their ferrets are the same reasons they surrender dogs and cats.

“The economy has taken a toll on pet owners,” Thurber said. “People can’t afford to take care of their pets. Sometimes it’s because their kids have lost interest, or they have to move, or there’s behavioral or medical problems.”

Thurber adopts out between 100 and 150 ferrets each year. It’s a lot of work, but she views the animals as her children.

“People will tell you I probably like animals more than I like people,” Thurber laughed. “Ferrets are wonderful little animals. Once you’re around them they get into your soul.”

Post-Crescent West Editor Rachel Rausch: 920-993-1000, ext. 257, or rrausch@postcrescent.com