In June, two representatives of Congress introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at cracking down on animal abuse, strengthening enforcement of federal anti-cruelty laws and protecting animals across the country. The “FBI Animal Cruelty Taskforce Act,” led by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), would establish a dedicated task force within the Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate and build cases of animal cruelty against abusers — including dogfighting, cockfighting, crush videos and other acts of animal abuse. The task force also will develop training resources to help local law enforcement officials identify and combat animal abuse in their communities.
More power to them! As many of you know, this is an issue near and dear to my heart. Over the past several years, I have adopted dozens of dogs who previously endured unimaginable suffering at the hands of degenerates and given them loving forever homes. My husband and I currently have 14 dogs living with us, and we’ve lost 37 dogs since November 2017. It’s both a heartbreaking and a heart-filling endeavor.
Dogs (and other animals) need our help, which is why I want to share with you six valuable Madison-area pet-rescue operations that are dedicated to finding forever homes for as many animals as they can:
• Albert’s Dog Lounge Rescue (Whitewater)
• Diamond Dogs Rescue (Madison)
• Fluffy Dog Rescue (Hartland)
• Ma, Paws, and Me Pet Rescue (Watertown)
• Shelter from the Storm Animal Rescue (Madison)
• Underdog Pet Rescue of Wisconsin (Madison)
The Dane County Humane Society also offers adoption and fostering opportunities. Animals available for adoption range from dogs (which typically come with the highest adoption fees) to cats, birds, rabbits, small mammals such as hamsters and ferrets, reptiles, fish and even barnyard animals.
If you live outside of the Madison area or southern Wisconsin — or simply want to find out more about how rescue operations work — I encourage you to visit Rescue Me! and Petfinder, which will direct you to reputable rescue operations in your area.
If you go in search of a rescue dog, be sure to carefully read the description provided for each one, as some do not get along well with children or other animals, and others have special medical needs. Some might need to be re-housetrained, too. Also remember that these animals are coming from a shelter, which can be a scary place, and as a result they might be unsettled when they arrive in a new environment.
Think of it in human terms: You are bringing home a new friend who has been abused, neglected and treated like trash. (Unconscionably, some dogs are literally rescued from the side of the road.) It’s going to take some time to adjust. For that reason, give yourself and the dog a couple months to get used to each other.
A good rescue operation will send someone to visit your home to make sure you’re able to provide the dog a good life. Once that dog arrives, be sure to “dog-proof” your home the same way you would baby-proof it: Keep poisonous plants and choking hazards out of reach, use safety gates and be prepared to clean up messes.
As long as there is a need for legislation like the FBI Animal Cruelty Taskforce Act, there will be a need for decent human beings to rescue abused animals and provide them with forever homes.
That’s one of my missions, and I’d love to help make it one of yours, too.
(Pictured above is Trinity — who was found as a stray wearing a service dog vest, yet no one came for her — on her freedom ride in Tennessee. I'm adopting her soon.)
