Tzu Zoo Rescue

Early in my rescue career, there was no way I could have more than 3 dogs, so I thought I would just do transports and shelter pulls.

One October Saturday in 2003, I raced to catch up with Bekye to get a little guy on her transport.  She had 8 dogs stuffed in her compact car and here I was going to add another.  Since I had a SUV, I offered to finish it taking the rest of the way to Centerville.  We had crates enough for all of them except this beautiful lhasa gal named Princess.

Princess became Brittany in our rescue and she sat like a perfect girl in the passenger seat.  When she wanted loved, she nuzzled under my hand and then looked at me with the eyes that I missed so deeply from my beloved Pebbles.  A month later, I went to Houston for a Meet and Greet - there she was.  I couldn't part with her again, so un-be-knowst to Bobby, he had just become a "foster" dad to this beautiful girl.  

I actually adopted her out, but agreed to keep her over the holidays since they were going out of town.  They didn't call when they were supposed to, so I got that funny feeling they weren't good enough for her and adopted her for ME!!!  She has been the one dog that I owned that was all mine.  

She was never a huge fan of my continued rescue work, but tolerated it like the lady she was.  She loved going on home visits and car rides just with mom.  When the bed would get too crowded, she literally dove off the bed in the beanbag purchased just for her.

These photos were taken this year.  She has always been beautiful, with a unique little underbite.  The loss hurts, but the journey with her was very rewarding and never a regret that I didn't let her go.  I had never witnessed Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia and I wish I never had.  

Thanks for reading this and viewing her photos.  In her honor, my husband and I have donated $1000 to Tzu Zoo Rescue to make sure more are saved.

Lynda

Ever since our excellent weekend the end of March, we have been inundated with dogs that literally had no place else to go.  I really am trying to close intake, but somehow dogs still sneak in the door.  If it is any consolation, I am paying for my inability to say no by fostering extra making my numbers fluctuate from 16 - 18.  It is not pretty. 

We have 4 dogs that need to go into a foster home ASAP.  There are many others that need a foster home, but these 4 are the most urgent to stop boarding costs at the vet.  JUST LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP!!!

If you have ever thought about fostering now is the time... these dogs really need you.

Volunteer Application  

As for a financial update - WE ARE BROKE AND DEEP IN DEBT.  I will be working on fundraising the rest of this week between nursing and force feeding the dogs at my house. 

Please Donate if you can and use GoodSearch & GoodShop - see links on right side of page.

Reminder of upcoming events (check the calendar for details):

- Petco Prestonwood Meet and Greet - Sat 4/10, 11

- Prosper Pooch Party - Sat 4/24, 10 - 2

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP WITH ANYTHING - EVEN PRAYERS - AS LATELY MY EMAILS SEEM TO BE GOING INTO THIN AIR.  THE DOGS NEED YOUR SUPPORT IN WHATEVER CAPACITY YOU CAN GIVE IT.  

Lynda

We started on June 3, 2008 taking in our very first foster Tiffy. 

Since that time we have done the following: 

• 371 dogs entered our program
• 271  have been adopted
• 39 were cared for until it was time for them to pass 
• 61 still available for adoption 
• 82 have been rescued in the 93 days of 2010  

We still have 15 that need a foster home, so let me know if you can help with them. 

Be proud of what we have accomplished.  These numbers are unbelievable for our small little group. 

Thank you for hanging in there to save all these fluffs. 

Lynda

Prayers were answered with 8 adoptions between yesterday and today!

We need at least 6 more adoptions to start taking in dogs again.

We have 10 dogs in need of foster homes.  Some can go to daycare for a while but the newer ones need to recover from surgery. 

Let me know if you can help!

Click here to apply to become a foster for Tzu Zoo Rescue

Lynda

No dogs were left behind during the Thanksgiving and Christmas rush.  We saved 16 dogs, many with above average needs so our bills are over the top...Oddly enough, we have 16 more just since the first of the year that also needed us.

PLEASE CONSIDER BEGINNING YOUR NEW YEAR OF DONATIONS WITH A DONATION TO TZU ZOO RESCUE!!!

Some of the most expensive were all hit by a car.

Meet April the Lhasa Malte Poo

She is a 10 lb darling gal.  Her left leg was de-gloved and while fulfilling her stray hold, her leg rotted away.  The shelter kept her on pain meds and penecillian but it was not enough to prevent infections.  Due to the amount of pain she was in, we did an emergency amputation, even though she had become sepsis.  Not only do we need money for the surgery, even more so for the hospitalization to stop the infection and start her on the road to recovery.  She is eating and walking, we just have to get the infection under control so she can go home and start her new life of being loved.  She is only about 2-3 years old and is a little doll, even with all she has been going through.

Minimum of $1000 needed to cover all medical needs for APRIL.

Meet Polly Mia, the 5 lbs Poodle fluff:

She had a tiny broken bone in the doggie equivalent of our wrist.  It required a plate, but due to her size, it was rather complicated.  Polly is a little lover and wants to kiss anyone near her.  She is very people oriented, plus loves to play - cast not a hinderance.  She is no more than 1.  We need $750 to get out of debt for Polly Mia.

The last of those who tangled with a car is Duke the Tzu:

His pelvis and leg are fractured, but fortunately it will heal with limited activity over time.  However, he added on the complication of heartworms.  Depending on the method we will have to use, his total medical costs will range from $400 - $800.  He is only 3 years old and very cooperative with all the handling and treatment he has received in his broken state.

General expenses per dog have increased to at least $275 per dog, so their adoption donation rarely covers the costs we spend on every rescue.  Since Thanksgiving week, we have rescued 32 dogs.  32 x $275 makes our MINIMUM expenses over $8800.

We don't want to stop being there for the dogs that need us NOW.  Please help us meet our current financial obligations so we can continue our efforts to save the Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, Maltese and all their fluffy friends needing us in 2010.

On Saturday, 1/9, our Wheaten Terrier Stringbean was adopted. Within two hours of this joyful event, on the way into Petsmart, the collar failed and off went Stringbean. He has been missing ever since.

A mass search is planned for Saturday and Sunday, 1/16 and 17 from 7:30 - 6:30. We will start where he escaped, 121 and Glade in Grapevine, and move out from there. If you can help, please contact Ja Peck at Ja.Peck@tenethealth.com to let her know when and how you can help. Any and all efforts are appreciated to help get him back to safety.  If you have any information regarding his location, please call Ja at 214-783-5482 or Lynda at 972-743-5448.

Molly Kay entered our rescue program one week before she was due.  Her prior home included a 12 year old male Shih Tzu, otherwise referred to as Daddy.

     Molly Kay - day she came to Tzu Zoo Rescue

On Friday morning, 10/2/09, Molly let me know to get her nursery ready and to stop piddling around as they were COMING!!!  She had 5 healthy pups in around 45 minutes, needing no help from me (but I did anyway.) 

    Molly & the Peanuts (Patty, Sally, Lucy, Snoopy and Linus)

They are now 11 days old and more than doubled in size.  You can tell they no longer can fit side-by-side to nurse.  Snoopy is the extra wide one!!!

   L to R - Sally, Linus, Patty, Snoopy and Lucy

The optimum time for them to go to a new home is day 49 - 56, putting us right before Thanksgiving.  They will not be spayed or neutered, so if adopted in this time period, additional deposits will be required and returned when they have completed the surgery.

For those like me who like them a little more mature - Molly Kay will be available the end of November and is a 5 year old jewel.

In order to keep a sterile environment for the puppies, we have even fewer foster spots to take in more dogs and additional costs are incurred to board dogs.  Please help us by donating ASAP so we can meet these financial commitments to continue saving shelter dogs.  From now until November 25th, you can buy raffle tickets and win some great prizes while helping these beautiful dogs.  http://www.tzuzoorescue.com/pleasehelp.htm#331015715

Dear Supporters of Tzu Zoo Rescue;

Thank you for adopting from us and /or donating toward medical costs of dogs in need. We began this journey in June 2008 and through steady donations and adoptions, we have been able to keep up with the demands upon us.

However, this summer has hit us hard. There have been two major puppy mill busts in the area. These are the suppliers of dogs to stores like Petland and Canton’s First Monday Trade Days. They were in terrible shape. The other Shih Tzu groups accommodated these dogs and therefore closed their intake to the local shelter dogs. Tzu Zoo agreed to pick up the slack to try to save all the stray and abandoned Shih Tzus and Lhasa Apsos in DFW area. And that we did!!!

Since Memorial Day – we have rescued 62 dogs. This number is astronomical considering we are a small rescue group with only 21 active foster homes. Even more amazing, we only have 56 dogs available for adoption at this time, so we have been doing a great job, finding wonderful homes.

The purpose for this letter is – WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MEET THE FINANCIAL DEMANDS generated by these 62 dogs. Some rough numbers so you will better understand our situation:

-62 dogs with average medical costs of $225 to prep for adoption $ 13,950

-Minimum of 30 dogs with additional $100 costs for skin or health issues 3000

-8 dogs requiring heartworm treatment, average cost $350 per dog 2800

-5 dogs with eye enucleations or other emergency surgery at min of $300 1500

-Emergency care for Clint to try to save him from Parvo 1200

***Total Care for 62 dogs, not including all miscellaneous charges $ 22,450***

The average adoption donation is approximately $220. Therefore we take a loss on every dog we adopt out – that’s the business we are in.

Collectively, through our network, I know we can make this work so we can continue to give life to needy dogs and happiness to future adoptive families. BUT – we need everyone’s help and resources. Here’s how:

• Make a donation (big and little all count)

• Adopt a canine friend for your current dog(s)

• Buy and/or sell Raffle Tickets for our drawing in November ($200 Target Gift Certificate + many more gifts)

• Check with your employer to see if they match donations or provide grants for volunteering hours to a non-profit organization

• Solicit corporate sponsors

• Locate available grants and submit them

• Organize a fundraiser (garage sales, car washes, doggy washes, restaurant days to name a few quick hitters)

• Hold a benefit luncheon or golf tournament

• Distribute fliers in local businesses and community centers

• Initiate an email campaign or design a YouTube video to pass along

• Buy a T-Shirt and wear it to advertise ($15 each or 2 for $25)

Somehow, we need to generate $12,500 by mid-October. With elevated progress, we can continue to save dogs in the area when they need us – just have to do it at a slower rate. Our adoption goal is 18 dogs by the end of September and 15 more in October. If goal is met, it will cover about $7000 of this debt.

Please help however you can to pump the remaining $5500 into our rescue so we can continue our efforts without saying no to dogs that need us in the future. If we aren’t there to rescue them, they will add to the atrocious number of dogs put to sleep each week.

Up to know, we have been really lucky to not have heartworm cases.  Unfortunately we seem to be getting caught up.

Heartworms are so easy and inexpensive to prevent, but very costly to treat, both for the dog and financially.  Each case adds $400 per dog to the usual vetting needs.  Here are the dogs that need your help to get the desperately needed treatment:

                 Fergie                                                    Harry, who also has mange

                  Sawyer                                                          Maggie

                       Tilly                                                           Mama Naomi

They are all otherwise very healthy, so should make it through with no problems, we just need the funding to have it done.  Please help us help them by donating today.

$1200 is needed to help these sweet babies!  Donate today by using the donate button or sending a check to Tzu Zoo Rescue, PO Box 796743, Dallas, TX  75379-6743.

Here is an update from Naomi's foster mom Kandy -

Mommie and all babies are doing great. I only got up once with Naomi last night.. This morning she came to the baby gate that I am using to confine her to the "nursery" and stood wagging her tail at my husband. I moved the gate and she walked all around the house. We went outside and I let her lead me around. She walked out to the street and down the block a couple of houses before deciding it was time to turn around and go home. She didn't rush right back into her babies. She seems to feel good and is settlilng into this baby duty. Already, she needs a little time away from the kids. I know I can relate!

Kandy

There are 5 girls and 4 boys.  Anticipated names for the Country and Western puppies are Wynnona, Carrie, Shania, Faith, and Martina while the boys are Garth, Dwight, Travis, and Clint.