In 2009, when friends and Fountain Hills locals Susan Dawson and Christine Schaeken were training for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day, they connected with Pal's Inn Pet Resort and began taking some of their rescue dogs on walks.
As it would turn out, 15 years later, they would still be taking dogs in need of socialization and more on walks - except this time, as their own nonprofit organization called Rescue Pals.
“We were surprised to find such a need for a dog rescue here in Fountain Hills, but the community has stepped up and supported our efforts at every turn, engaging and getting involved from the very beginning,” said Dawson.
As co-founders of Rescue Pals, A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, dog rescue and rehabilitation organization, Dawson and Schaeken take in strays and surrendered dogs in need of a new home, socialization, medical care and more. Over the course of the last 15 years, they have rescued hundreds of dogs, according to Dawson.
“We still have our partnership with Pal's Inn Pet Resort, which is where our rescued dogs are housed until they’re ready to be adopted,” Dawson explained.
Every morning, both co-founders and community volunteers still walk all of the dogs in Rescue Pals’ care.
“Walking and socializing them helps the dogs - it gets rid of some pent-up energy, they get outside and sniff and interact with the volunteer walker and walk with other dogs,” according to the organization. “It gives us the chance to see how the dog is, how it interacts with other dogs and how its walk behavior is and to try to teach them some obedience and leash manners.”
Dawson said that the local community has been so supportive of Rescue Pals. For example, she noted, recently locals helped to raise $7,000 in two weeks to help a Rescue Pals pup get the heart surgery and medical care they needed.
To help their rescued canines get adopted, Rescue Pals utilizes social media, hosts adoption events and even brings their four-legged friends to local farmers markets. To raise funds to keep their pups fed, sheltered and healthy, the nonprofit relies on volunteers, donations and their popular community garage sales.
“One of the best ways to help us is to donate funds instead of directly donating dog food because our dogs all eat the same food,” Dawson said. “We also have an Amazon wishlist.”
When they do get donations they’re not able to use, Rescue Pals pays it forward and donates them to other local nonprofits that serve people and their pets.
In addition, Dawson said that they are always in need of adult volunteers to walk the dogs, help at events and serve on their nonprofit board.
“We are so grateful to the Fountain Hills community for their support over the past 15 amazing years,” she added.
To keep up with Rescue Pals’ news, events and dogs available for adoption, follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/RescuePals. To connect about volunteer or donation opportunities, email [email protected] or message them on Facebook.
