I have been in animal rescue for over 35 years although I rescued my first dog when I was 7 years old, so it could be said it is closer to 40.

While at school I volunteered at local rescues on weekends and holidays, during the week I volunteered at a vet’s office for experience.

I have continued to do this throughout my working life, as I am totally devoted to the rescue of animals.

Some years ago I broke away from Charity based organizations in favor of small under funded private rescues as I was sick and tired of board members that were alienated from the real problems experienced in rescue, I was tired of the power games that went on while the animals were suffering, and I was tired of seeing money that was donated wasted on lunches for board members and expensive decorating of offices that would never be used while animals died.

I continued my rescue work privately, pulling animals from death row and placing them in foster homes until they found a family, transporting, managing feral colonies, and spaying and neutering everything I could afford out of my own pocket.

I then joined together with a group of like-minded ppl and networked to arrange fund raising, pulls and transports.

Something I noticed was there was a short fall in funds for small rescues, this was brought about by the hurricane Katrina disaster, while the larger rescues raked in millions of dollars from the public, they farmed out many of the rescued animals to small private rescues with the promise of vetting, kenneling, and financial support, however once the small rescues had the animals in their possession, the promises of the bigger agencies fell short, and the money donated by the well meaning citizens across the world was redirected away from the Katrina animals, leaving the small rescues, that had opened up to these animals to sink or swim.
I wanted to fill that void

While I would not discourage anyone from donating to the bigger agencies I would suggest you check just how much of your dollar is actually used on the animals. Small rescues may not be able to give you the tax breaks (as they are struggling to keep their heads above water and can not afford the $2000 it costs to go 501c3), but it is certain that a large amount if not all of your of your gift to them will be used solely for the animals.

Recently I posted a website… All 4 4 Paws, this is now part of that network.
At all 4_4 paws we dedicate ourselves to the promotion of the humane treatment of animals.
Our Mission
1. To build a more compassionate community by teaching humane practices in caring for companion and otherwise domesticated animals, caring for homeless animals through foster programs, and strengthening the human-animal bond.
2. To Promote Spay and Neutering Programs.
3. By the sharing of knowledge, reduce the amount of healthy companion animals put to death in Shelters nationally.

Since the inception of all44paws.org in late July 06 we have made 3 donations to small privately run rescues.

Our supported shelters, we believe are the best of the best small rescues, they struggle on a daily basis to save lives and to ensure that the animals they save are fit, healthy and altered prior to being placed into their forever homes.


On a personal note I am currently owned by 2 dogs, many cats and I am actively involved in animal rescue.

If you would like to know more feel free to ask, I would invite you to visit our website and check out the supported rescues