April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
A PAWS FOR PUPS
Garage sale will throw a bone to rescue dogs
Peppertree aims to "help and find homes for dogs in need who represent the character and temperament commonly associated with golden retrievers," stated its website, www.peppertree.org. Although many of the dogs taken in by Peppertree are not golden retrievers, they are all gauged to be friendly, intelligent and peaceful.
"We are an all-volunteer rescue program," said Charlene Jackson, a parishioner of St. Michael's and a volunteer for Peppertree for five years.
After the Jacksons' beloved dog died, Mrs. Jackson "felt bad getting another dog. I felt like I was replacing her." But the family was drawn to the fact that Peppertree was looking for people to foster dogs in their homes for periods as brief as one night.
"Some dogs are only with us for a very short time before they're adopted," said Mrs. Jackson, who, with her husband, has fostered 14 dogs. The couple decided to keep their last dog, Sweet Pea, a mixed breed who's gentle and calm.
Sweet Pea was "fearful when we first got her," but with a good home, "she's a real people-person now, willing to trust," Mrs. Jackson said.
"These dogs are so loving and so appreciative when they look at you," Mrs. Jackson told The Evangelist. The animals of Peppertree come from many different states and backgrounds; Sweet Pea was removed from an owner in Georgia after reports of cruelty.
Mrs. Jackson says that many people question how she is able to "foster parent" a dog and then give up the pup when it's adopted. "It's easy," she said. "It's helping God's animals. You know that they're going to a wonderful home with a family that is going to love them and cherish them. I feel like it's doing God's work."
The adoption fee for dogs in the Peppertree Rescue program is only $200, yet a typical trip to the vet can cost $350 to $400. Before Peppertree allows dogs to be adopted, they make sure that they are up on their vet checkups and are spayed or neutered.
Some of the dogs "come with a lot of issues," Mrs. Jackson admitted. Vet bills for an animal with health problems can hit $1,000, she said.
The proceeds from the community garage sale at St. Michael's will directly go to paying those bills.
"As Pope Francis visits this country, he reminds us how important it is to help those in need," said MaryEllen Grimaldi, president of Peppertree's board. "When we help dogs in need in the community, we are often aiding pet owners who are facing illness, losing a home or a job, or other circumstances that mean they can no longer provide for the dog."
The garage sale will be held Oct. 10, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., in St. Michael's parking lot. Mrs. Jackson said she's already had "so many phone calls [from] people willing to donate items. We have such a great parish of giving people. Most people have pets of their own, so they sympathize" with the cause.
There's no specific fundraising goal for the garage sale. "Whatever we make is more than we have today" to help the dogs of Peppertree, Mrs. Jackson told The Evangelist.
(For more information or to donate, call Mrs. Jackson at 518-859-6054.)[[In-content Ad]]
250 X 250 AD
250 X 250 AD
Events
250 X 250 AD
Comments:
You must login to comment.