Featured Rescue: One Dane at a Time
Twenty-something years ago, when I was a young dog groomer working in San Diego, I had the absolute pleasure of having a Great Dane come through the shop. His owner pulled up in front of the shop in her minivan, opened the sliding door, and from inside unfolded this nearly horse-sized dog. He was gigantic, easily 150 pounds.
They had come from the beach, and he was covered in sand. He had to go straight into the raised tub. Luckily, he was tall enough to step right over the raised side and hop into the tub himself. He was incredibly gentle, and had no problem with anything I was doing. He let me dry him with the high velocity dryer and trim his nails, like it was something he did every day. This dog was what started my love affair with this giant breed.
My circumstances have not let me own a Dane, but my interest was reignited two years ago when my son asked if we could someday own one. This started my search for available Danes. The search made me aware of a huge problem happening a few hundred miles North of where we live. It broke my heart, but there are a few heroes out there trying to save the doges who have been discarded.
Beyond Capacity
Dog shelters across the country have been at or above capacity for at least a year. In California, 9% of all dogs in government run shelters and rescues were put to sleep. Adoptions are not keeping up with surrenders. Los Angeles has halted issuing new breeding permits until the shelters have been at 75% capacity for three months in a row.
This is the result of irresponsible “backyard” breeders and a lack of education for new dog owners. It is not difficult to find these breeders. Their ads for “purebred, AKC registered” puppies can be found all over social media and Craigslist. Seeing people willingly giving these breeders thousands of dollars for these puppies is unsettling. Especially knowing how many dogs sit in the shelters and in foster homes, waiting for a loving family. Who have gone through a temperament screening, a health screening, have been taken care of and loved until their forever home is ready.
Most of the dogs in the shelters are big dogs. The allure of owning a giant breed can outweigh the challenges of taking care of and training a large breed for some people. Or maybe they don’t think it all the way through. Those cute little puppies grow up into huge dogs that need training and expensive veterinary care. Owning a giant breed dog sounds really cool, until that puppy weighs more than you and eats your couch. And when rehoming the dog doesn’t work, they will dumpthe dogs in the shelter, or in the desert, or on the side of the road. It is a tragedy for these innocent dogs.
Not All Heroes Wear Capes
There are a few good guys out there, combating the problem and trying to save these gentle giants. The rescue organization, One Dane at a Time, operates out of Tehachapi, California. The founder was inspired by her two rescue Danes. And if you follow their Facebook page for any length of time, you will realize what a massive problem they are facing.
ODAAT operates with a volunteer crew to pull dogs out of shelters, transport them around the state for veterinary care and foster homes, and fight for the dogs that will likely never find forever homes. A few of their rescues have medical conditions that make placing them in a home very difficult. These dogs will live out their days at the facility currently under construction. Every so often, there will be a sad story about a dog who’s medical condition was too far gone to be saved. And this rescue tries to save them all.
There are the happy ending stories, of course. They do take a lot of time and care when adopting out their dogs. Dogs are placed based on temperament, not on what a person requests. Their goal is to find their dogs a home that is a perfect fit, and where they can spend the rest of their lives.
Supporting the Good Guys
As a rescue, ODAAT runs on donations. Donating to ODAAT helps them to provide medical care, transportation, foster resources and housing for over 100 dogs. The latest project involved the purchase of a facility where they are planning to build several “tiny homes” for their unadoptable dogs to live out their days. A recent call was made for construction materials to build a fence around the perimeter of the facility. The community came together and helped pull it off. They also run fundraisers on their Facebook page, by raffling off swag or hosting a $5 Friday. When a severe medical case comes in, a call for cash donations will go out. Some of these dogs are left in near-death conditions, and ODAAT fights for as many dogs as they can.
Besides funds, what the rescue needs is foster homes. There are dogs they are unable to help because there are not enough foster homes to take care of them. Foster families take care of a dog until their forever family is found. ODDAT provides resources to help care for the dog, so you can focus on making them feel loved and at home. If you can foster a gentle giant for a few months, please consider filling out a foster application. Be sure to check out the information in this article for things to consider before fostering.
The goal of any rescue is for their dogs to find a forever home. Adoption through a rescue is a wonderful way to find your next furry companion. Their dogs have had medical and temperament screenings. The rescue can tell you which dogs will get along with other animals in your home. If they have any behavioral problems. Or if they can tolerate being around small children. The rescue will help you find the dog that will fit into your lifestyle. My last three dogs have been rescues. They have all been wonderful dogs, full of quirks and personality, and boundless love.
Be A Hero
The overpopulation of dogs is a never-ending battle and rescues like One Dane at a Time are on the front lines. They are doing the good work of saving innocent lives, and educating the public on the downsides of purchasing dogs from unreputable breeders. Finding homes for giant dogs is a difficult task because not everyone has the space or resources to take care of a large animal. ODAAT needs our help more than ever.
Please consider supporting ODAAT by donating. If you are interested in fostering one of their amazing dogs, applications can be found on their website. If you are ready to welcome a Dane into your family, fill out an adoption application and you will be contacted by the rescue.
