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| Education · Support · Rescue · Shelter · Wheelchair Assistance | |
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National Capital Area CFC Number 71315 |
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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
The Sanctuary Pets |
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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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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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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 |
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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 - |
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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 A Special Gift for Ernie and his angel Madelyn
Paulson |
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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! |
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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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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 |
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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. |
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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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The dogs at PWD are fed: You can contact our local distributor, place an order
- 231
Farm Center |
We could also use: Old Mother Hubbard Biscuits OR |
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additional supplies needed: |
OR - please call one of our favorite suppliers Mary
Beth Gates 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. Pets with Disabilities is an officially recognized Maryland Non-Profit Organization. |
| Our New Rescue Facility |
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We believe in treating animals the way we would like to be treated. Our new facility might look
like a barn but has all the comforts of a cozy home. My husband and I have worked and thought very
hard to make a difference in the sheltering of our dogs in rescue. We also wanted our volunteers to
enjoy their work. Our new rescue is behind our home and sits before acres of forest. We believe our
facility is one of a kind in our area.
Each apartment is furnished with a sofa, dog beds, lamps, and most important each apartment has a window. We believe light is essential for all living creatures. At night the rescue room is lit by soft blue night lights in each apartment. For the human volunteers and adopters we have a very unique collection of antique lunch boxes bordering the room. The rescue has central air conditioning and heat. There is a TV and or music piped in for the residents in our rescue. Also, no dog runs here at PWD. There are approximately three acres around the barn that are fenced in. |
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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.
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