Why we gave Thanksgiving to the dogs

RedRover Responders volunteers in Hot Springs, Arkansas are happily spending their Thanksgiving holiday caring for the dogs and pups rescued from a puppy mill.

Kevin Boyle, from Dallas, Texas, gave up Thanksgiving at home because, “I have a simple love animals.” Taking care of animals who have been so let down by humans drives these RedRover Responders.

RedRover Responders volunteers give this rescued Chihuahua some special care this Thanksgiving.

After yet another long day tending to the rescued dogs, volunteer Dyann Solsar said, “This is the hardest job you’ll ever love. It can be exhausting, but you feel like you are doing something.”

Volunteer Debra Hutcherson, from Larue, Texas, worked tirelessly to provide the highest level of care for the dogs – feeding, keeping their kennels clean and dry, and providing love and comfort. Giving up time with family and friends during this Thanksgiving week is a sacrifice – but Debra knew that she would not be alone. “I choose to be around people who can and will make a difference.”

175 dogs and tiny puppies could not be more thankful that Debra and the other RedRover Responders made that very same choice this Thanksgiving.

Thankful to be Safe

Thanksgiving week, RedRover Responders volunteers are at it again – this time in Hot Springs, Arkansas, where earlier this month, Garland County law enforcement raided a breeding operation known as Happy Times Kennel and retrieved 175 dogs and puppies. The ASPCA, which assisted with the investigation and initial sheltering effort in conjunction with Garland County officials and other animal groups, reported that Chihuahuas, West Highland terriers, Boston terriers, pomeranians and dachshunds were living in their own filth in substandard conditions. Many dogs have skin infections and flea infestations; some have open sores. Dead puppies were found with live puppies. Some of the dogs needed to be immediately transferred to emergency veterinarians for treatment. After all that these dogs have been through, we’re thankful that all of them are safe now and receiving RedRover’s tender loving care this Thanksgiving.

By the end of the week, RedRover will have deployed more than a dozen volunteers. The dogs will get their medical needs tended to, and will get to experience positive interaction with people who care. Each volunteer will work 10 to 12 hour days to ensure that the pups have clean housing, fresh water and healthful food, and the other care they need to recover and thrive.

To stay on top of the dogs’ progress during the week, if you’re a Twitter user, follow @RedRoverBeth. RedRover’s Emergency Services Manager, Beth Gammie, is on-site and will be tweeting throughout the week.

We don’t know how long these dogs have been living in these conditions, but we can imagine that for many, it has been the same neglect, day after day, year after year. For these dogs, we can’t wait to make this Thanksgiving their first truly special one.