Melanie Pafford remembers the exact day the Streetdog Foundation was created. It was August 7, 2009. She had been asked by a friend to help find a lost dog and ended up at Memphis Animal Services to look for Thurman, an American Bulldog. Melanie was unable to locate Thurman, but what she saw that day changed her and her husband’s lives forever.
Overall conditions at the shelter were not good, but even worse, there were about 70 dogs lined up on the “Green Mile” meaning that they had only a day or two to be claimed or they would be euthanized. The Paffords describe cage after cage of animals – some wounded, some “cowering in fear.”
“The dogs know,” claims Kent, Melanie’s husband. “Nauseated with sorrow,” the Paffords vowed to make it their mission to save as many of these “precious creatures of God’s creation” as they possibly could.
Saving these “precious creatures” does not equate to finding homes for stereotypical miniature, fluffy, purebred types. Saving unwanted canines means finding homes for some of the most difficult-to-place animals including pit bulls – the breed with the worst reputation and often the most abused. Streetdog Foundation specializes in helping the “misunderstood” bully breeds.
Melanie will tell you that it hasn’t been easy. There have been many times that they’ve housed a dozen or so dogs in their home which obviously requires feeding, bathing and walking. The vet bills alone – to save, restore and rehab these animals – are enough to drive someone into bankruptcy. But she says they are on a spiritual mission and claims that every time she wonders how they’re going to continue, they get a “God Nod,” meaning something good will happen to enable them to move on. Since 2009, they have successfully placed about 400 of these “temporarily unwanted” dogs in loving and forever homes.
Important Alliances
Part of the process of helping stray dogs either find their way home or find a new home involves instructing those who find them what to do. Since the Streetdog Foundation is not a “shelter,” they first try to get the “finder” to keep the dog temporarily while trying to track down the owner. They recommend taking the animal to their local vet to have it scanned for a microchip as one way to expedite that process. Posting fliers with photos is also recommended. Use social media resources such as the Facebook page called Lost and Found Pets of the Midsouth (www.facebook.com/lostandfoundmidsouth ). This is where anyone can post a photo of an animal that has either been lost or found and hopefully connect the owner and their pet.
The Streetdog Foundation is in the pet rehab business. Many of the dogs they rescue have been neglected, abused and in some cases tortured. Streetdog Foundation makes sure that these animals get the medical care they need. They work with area veterinarians to mend the physical wounds, and then proceed to find a forever home so that the emotional wounds can heal as well.
How Big is the Problem?
Melanie estimates that they get about 100 emails and calls every day regarding found street dogs. Based on what they have seen and experienced, she and her staff say that there are hundreds of strays wandering the greater Memphis area on any given day.
However, Memphis is also a city of dog lovers, and the Streetdog Foundation has 8,800 Facebook “Likes” and over 1,000 Instagram followers. Each week it estimated (by Facebook reports) that they reach more than 14,000 viewers through social media. This represents interest and hope for potential adoptions.
How Can You Help?
Donate
Streetdog Foundation is a 501(c )3 organization. Donations help purchase food, collars, leashes, toys, crates, bedding, and medical care for every rescue. Donations in any amount help the team of volunteers and veterinary professionals provide care. You can pay online using Paypal or send donations to:
Streetdog Foundation
P O Box 485
Memphis TN 38101
Or go to http://amzn.com/w/3EGJ06GHRETE7 and check out Streetdog’s online wish list.
In addition, they will take new or used items such as:
Crates (any size or type)
Dog beds/fleece pads
Dog Bowls
Dog food (canned and dry)
Peanut butter (for kong toys)
Dog treats
Bones/Rawhide chews
Tennis balls
Kong toys (all sizes, both adult and puppy)
Dog leashes
Dog collars
Easy-Walk harnesses
Contact them at streetdogfoundation@yahoo.com for a pick up or a drop off.
Adopt
Every Saturday, Streetdog is at a different location with an adoption event! Check the event page on their website (http://streetdogfoundation.com/events/0 to see where you can go meet some of their pups. You can also see some of the pets online at: http://streetdogfoundation.com/adoptable-pets/
Streetdog is serious about responsible adoptions. Their seven page adoption application is available on the website.
Foster
Fostering dogs saves lives. Melanie says fostering terms are flexible – indefinitely, a month, a week, or a weekend. You just have to let them know what you can do. Currently, Streetdog Foundation has about 115 dogs placed in foster homes. In a testimonial one person said: “Fostering for Streetdog Foundation has been the most refreshing and rewarding experience! They impress me with their focus and care for both pet and foster home. I have never felt forgotten or alone in taking care of my foster dog which could easily happen when trying to manage so many people and pets (all with different needs!). I know how much effort goes into keeping a program like this organized so I am deeply grateful. "
Volunteer
Streetdog currently has about 50 to 60 volunteers and would always welcome more. Volunteers are needed to walk some of the kenneled dogs, help out at an adoption event, assist in planning a fundraiser or make home visits to make sure prospective adoptees are going to a good and safe home.
There is a volunteer application online at http://streetdogfoundation.com/volunteer-application/
Nominate your favorite non-profit or charity by emailing me at: pamela@memphismedicalnews.com.