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Education · Support · Rescue · Shelter · Wheelchair Assistance |
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National Capital Area CFC Number 71315
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Pets
with Disabilities - the
making of the organization offering a voice for disabled pets
(a little peak into our reality) VIDEO

Ten
years ago, Mike and I went down to our local rescue to adopt a new member
of the family. We saw this vibrant young shepherd mix, and knew he
was the one to join us. We brought him home and promptly named him
Duke.
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Duke
was a wonderful, typical puppy who added lots of excitement and joy to our
home. We had no idea he was
about to change our lives forever. 2 months after adopting Duke, he
was playing with another puppy and had a tragic accident, severing his
spinal cord. At 6 months old
our vibrant young rescue dog was in a wheelchair. Well guess what,
Duke was still vibrant and young - he just had special needs. When
we adopted Duke and took him home it was a commitment, thru sickness
and health until death do us part – he was a member of our family. So
many people forget that adopting a dog is a commitment, and once their dog
gets ill or sick they still need to commit to caring for them.
A
few months later we heard about another pup named Misty, living in a NY
shelter for over 5 years. Nobody wanted Misty because she had hind
leg problems. Hundreds and Hundreds of people passed her cage, not
even giving her a chance. We went to NY and adopted her immediately.
For years Misty became quite a “spokes-dog” for her cause.
People started looking at her, seeing the life in her eyes, and the heart
she wanted to share and commented on what a wonderful dog she was,
and “How could she had been in a shelter so long?”.
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After
loving our wheelchair dog Duke, and seeing the impact Misty had on people,
and realizing there was no support system or education available for
people dealing with disabled pets, Pets with Disabilities was incorporated
to be that support system for these animals with no voice.
For
8 years, while Mike
and I both had full time jobs…. We traveled to events and expos’ to
speak on behalf of these wonderful spirits, we set-up a website to post
animals needing help, at one point we had 12 disabled animals living in
our home – and due to the constant need and 100’s of requests for
help, we decided to expand our efforts and build our rescue barn, in order
to help more dogs.
Last
year I made a huge decision to close my small business and volunteer
FULL time on behalf of the disabled animals.
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With
the expansion of the rescue, I committed myself totally to the
helping these dogs in need. Many people that visit our
website, think we are a huge organization, when in fact, I am a one
person show. I take no salary for my hours and hours of work,
and have no paid help and a small core group of volunteers.
This is a labor of love.
Pets
with Disabilities is a rescue, not a dumping ground for people's dogs
who have become incontinent. Guardians/ Owners, shame on you
for not being there when your dog gets hurt. When you adopt a dog, it
is a commitment; changing your life for a dog you love is what being
a human is all about.
Rescue
groups who have taken in a wheelchair dog. Thank you!! Our
rescue can’t take them all, it is physically and financially
impossible. We help as many as we can. Please realize it
will take time and patience to get these dogs adopted. But they
deserve to live and given that second chance at finding a new home.
That is what rescue work is all about.
Donations
are down, but we continue to help as many dogs as we can. Unfortunately
money does not grow on trees. We have created a safe and wonderful
environment for these dogs in need. They flourish here, and
adoptions and miracles are happening here everyday. I have met the
most wonderful folks who have adopted our dogs, amazing and
incredible people who just "got it". They understand
these dogs are different but can still be an incredible part of the family
and they have. Cheers to you guys and thank you. I only wish
there were more people on earth like you.
Joyce (Please
visit our "In Memoriam" page to
meet the other wonderful spirits that assisted us.) |
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The
wonderful spirits that make Pets
with Disabilities
their permanent home
The Sanctuary Pets
These dogs and cats have been rescued and adopted by us. Several had been rehomed and returned to the shelter, others were just unwanted
due to their disability. We have made the decision that this will be their last stop. We we will care for these dogs
and cats for the remainder of their lives. We welcome your support.
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Maddie, a spunky little mutt, was hit by a car, and
suffered a broken spinal cord. Due to Maddie's disability she was
relinquished to the St. Francis Society Animal Rescue.
Pets with Disabilities adopted Maddie in September 2005. She joins Duke
(with a sassy attitude only a strong female can appreciate!) in helping with our
mission.
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Thank you, Pam
Dover,
for being an Angel to Maddie!
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Pets with Disabilities adopted Huey from
Glen Highland Farm
in December 2005.
Huey, a bright and handsome Border Collie
rescued by our wonderful friends at Glen Highland Farm. After rescuing him,
they soon discovered Huey was deaf. They emailed us a picture and his
story and we became a part of the Glen Highland Farm Family. Since being
with us, Huey has learn many of the most important hand signs, and has
definitely added lots excitement to our PWD family.
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Thank you Kelly Rende for being Huey's angel!
Thank you Amy Sullivan
for being an angel to Huey!
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Kiri's
journey started in Maryland and now ends in Maryland at our small but growing Pets with Disabilities rescue.
Kiri, a Border Collie, was hit by a car. PWD helped find Kiri a new home, in Alberta,
Canada. Unfortunately Kiri’s care was too much for her new caretaker. We traveled out to Montana, and with the
help of Glen Highland Farm, Kiri was transported across the border to Butte, Montana where we met her, and fell
in love with her. Kiri is at home, with her new wheelchairs buddies at PWD.
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Kiri's Angel's
- Ann Peterson
2012
- Diane
Neis 2013
- Lynn and Larry Adelsohn 2013
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Meet Dixie.
Dixie
was hit by a car which shattered both her legs and hips.
Dixie is the
sweetest little terrier. She maintains a calm, "life is
good" attitude - being the example for the other dogs.
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Thank
you, Barb and Mike McGinty, great friends of our organization, for
continued support for Dixie's care.
Dixie's 2011 Angel - Carla
LaGrassa -
THANK YOU!
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An eleventh hour rescue! Ernie a two-year-old Samoyed, was rescued by Pets with Disabilities, two hours before he was
to be euthanized. Ernie, tragically hurt himself, and now is no longer able to use his back legs. Ernie spent the last
month at Ocean State Animal Hospital, in Rhode Island, hoping for a miracle. Unfortunately for Ernie, that miracle never
happened, and his guardians were not in the position to care for a dog with special needs. Pets with Disabilities stepped
in on Ernie's behalf and outfitted him with a new wheelchair and he will now live his life with others like him! We are
looking for angels for Ernie's continued medical care, please donate to Ernie's cause. Thank
you
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Thank
you to Jeanne Johnson of
Mid Atlantic Samoyed Rescue
for their continued support for Ernie's care and support.
A Special Gift for Ernie and his angel Madelyn
Paulson
(Age 11) |
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Casey's Christmas came early in 2007. Pets with Disabilities along with the help of the
Calvert Humane Society, rescued
Casey from our local animal shelter on the day scheduled to be her last. Casey, an eight-year-old , 3 legged Chocolate Lab
lost her back leg probably from a car accident. She truly is a survivor and captured our hearts immediately. It is truly
amazing how she has fit into our rescue like she had been living with us her entire life. She gets along with other dogs and
cats and loves all people.
Please remember to adopt from your local shelter or rescue group. Lots of dogs like Casey need
homes! |
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Thank
you to Jessie Forsberg for her continued support for Casey's care and
support.
Casey's 2011 Angel - Jane Reid - thank
you! |
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Sweet Megan.
Her big hound smile says it all.
Megan is totally blind, and was found wondering in a lumber yard. She was
scheduled to be euthanized by a rural county pound in Virginia,
until Pets with Disabilities swept in and rescued her.
Within minutes
of her arrival, she managed to navigate her way around the rescue brilliantly,
by her sense of smell and paw touch. We soon discovered Megan
has a huge purpose here at the rescue... she has offered to welcome
all guests and make new rescue dogs feel at home. (Obviously, we
fell in love with this dog, she brings a smile to all that meet her.) She
is a great couch cuddler - and is the self proclaimed "mayor" of
PWD - happy to greet all visitors - human and canine.... and if you bring
a treat, she'll be very grateful!
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Megan's 2012 Angel - Jane
Reid - thank you!
Thank you Jordon
and Alan Eanet
for being Megan's angel
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Meet Zelda.
She is a Rottie mix. Zelda was scheduled
to be euthanized at the SPCA in Philadelphia when Pets with Disabilities
swept in and rescued her.
Zelda has had hip problems since she was a
puppy. On top of her hip issues she also injured her legs a couple
times, that healed without treatment. Despite Zelda's disability she
gets along wonderfully; she has her moments of excitement with the
other rescue dogs, and then she settles in quietly on her favorite bed
for the remainder of the day. She knows her limitations; and with
weight management and daily tablets of Glucosamine, she does quite
well.
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Thank you Kathleen Comstock for being
Zelda's angel
Gwen Haynes is an Angel for
Zelda
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PIERCE came to PWD in March 2009 after
spending the first 3 years of his life trapped in a shelter
kennel. He, along with dozens of other dogs were held for 3 years,
pending an animal cruelty court case in PA. During this time, they
had no time outside, no human interaction, dogs were in-breeding because
they couldn't be vetted - it was awful. The last 6 months of the
court case, a wonderful group of volunteers were allowed into the
shelter to help socialize the dogs - and once the case was settled -
helped get them out!
PIERCE came to
the rescue very shy and fearful... having never eaten out of a bowl,
never climbed stairs, never slept on a couch - needing to learn to trust
humans and handle what the world has to offer. We allowed Pierce
as much time as he needed to trust us and get comfortable in the rescue
facility. He has been living with
Joyce in her home - expanding his world a little more - getting used to
the dishwasher, and bathroom sounds, and people knocking at the
door. He's done really well.... and Joyce has found out,
he's a great cuddler in bed at night - and he loves cats!! In other
words, after more then a year in the rescue program, it's been decided
that Pierce is home.
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Pierce's Angels -
Bonnie and John Yurga
"In
loving memory of Claire, my special girl"
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Meet Annie
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Annie, a gorgeous white shepherd was
found living
under a porch, completely paralyzed and still nursing her 10 puppies. A
good Samaritan stepped in and took her to the local animal
hospital. The doctors, at the clinic were shocked by how
emaciated and weak Annie was, she was covered in sores and wounds and
could barely lift her head. Annies owner requested to have her put
to sleep. Her spirit and kindness grab the hearts of the staff. Annie made
it quite clear, she did not want to be put to sleep and still had
much to offer! The staff was looking for a miracle, a rescue to help
her, and that miracle was PWD.
Annie got a new
set of wheels when she arrived - and of course the medical care and
lots of love she deserves. She is a true survivor - another example
of an unbroken spirit - even when the body is not perfect.
After a year at
PWD, it's been decided she'll be a permanent member of the
PWD family, living in the house with her "friends on wheels" - she has such a sweet, hopeful spirit... we are happy to have her.
PLEASE
consider supporting the Duke & Misty memorial fund |
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Thank you Anne Corrigan and Jonathon Day for
being angels to Annie
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Be a Pets with Disabilities Angel!
All the dogs at Pets with Disabilities, have special needs, otherwise they would not be here. In today's society
dogs and cats can no longer get sick, old or physically disabled. Whether they were abandoned, rejected or someone's life
changed and they no longer fit in, they are counting on us to help them transition to a new life. They will either stay with
us, or they will be rehomed carefully to the right people or families. So if you see a dog in our rescue that tugs out your
heart please become his or her angel. Thank You!!
For $350 (less then $1/day) -
you can matter in the life of a dog - Receive an "angel
magnet" of your dog or for just
$30/month - sponsor a dog living at PWD or waiting for their forever
home.
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SUPPLIES
WE USE AT PETS WITH DISABILITIES |
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The dogs at PWD are fed:
Earthborn Holistic® Dog Formulas
(we have recently decided spend the extra money
to provide a grain free diet to the rescue dogs)
  
You can contact our local distributor, place an order
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and we'll pick it up in our weekly trip to them
231
Farm Center
171 Skipjack Road Prince Frederick, MD 20678
(410) 535-7666 |
We
could also use:
Old Mother Hubbard Biscuits

OR
TOYS - tough chew
(jolly balls, interactive, tennis balls -
no stuffed
toys please) |
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additional supplies needed:
Liquid Soap - Vet Wrap - Neosporin - Sponges ( with brillo back) - Gift
cards to home depot - Laundry Detergent - Meow Mix (Indoor formula) -
Friskies Can - Bounce Sheets - Trash Bags
Paper Towels -
Odoban
Detergent -
Bleach
Clorox Clean up wipes
Gift Cards to Office Depot (computer inc)
Paper
Envelopes (legal SizeZ)
Packing envelopes |
OR - please call one of our
favorite suppliers
Mary
Beth Gates
Pepper's Pet Pantry
13858 Solomons Island Rd
PO
Box1060
Solomons, MD 20688
(410) 326-4006
pepperspetpantry@yahoo.com
Mary Beth
will work directly with Joyce to get together an order of holistic needs
and supplies |
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Pets with Disabilities is an all volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3)
organization dedicated to helping and promoting the adoption of physically disabled animals
into great homes. All donations are tax deductible to the extent permissible by law.
Contact your tax adviser.
Thank you.
Pets with Disabilities is an officially recognized Maryland Non-Profit Organization.
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Rescue Magnet, Design M3
$6.00 including shipping
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Adopt Pets with Disabilities Ribbon Magnet, Design M4
$6.00 including shipping
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Spay and Neuter Magnet, Design M5
$6.00 including shipping
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Attention international customers. All prices are in US dollars. There is an $8 shipping charge for all orders shipped
outside the USA.
©2006 - 2008 Pets with Disabilities, Inc. All rights reserved.
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