TN Death Row Dogs

We're super excited to let you know we're part of a really amazing campaign called the Saving Pets Challenge. It's a friendly fundraising competition funded by Michelson Found Animals where animal welfare organizations like ours compete to raise the most money for their cause. The top raising animal welfare organization get donations between $5000 and $50,000 and we're out to win that grand prize of $50,000.

Here's where we need your help... ​

Each week, there are Bonus Challenges with opportunities to win extra cash for our cause. The first one starts right now and if we raise at least $250 between May 4th at 12pm ET and May 12th at 12pm ET, we'll get entered to win a $4000 donation to our cause.

We could really use your help to raise the $250 and get entered into this Bonus Challenge. Every donation makes all the difference so please Click Here and give what you can.

If you want to go a step further and set up a fundraiser for our cause, that would be even more amazing. Imagine the money we could raise together if you reached out to your network. So, so great. To donate or to start a fundraiser, please Click Here.

And, one more quick thing...if you donate at least $25 to our fundraiser, you'll be entered to win a DOG for DOG or Adopt & Shop dog or cat gift basket each worth $100. Just one more reason to give.

Join or Facebook event for this challenge and watch our progress!

We are now an approved charity for the Kroger Community Rewards Program!  All participants need to do is register their Kroger card online and select us as their charity.  Registering cards also give users access to online manufacturer coupons too!  Every time registered cards are swiped at the checkout, our rescue earns a donation!  Kroger shoppers can follow this link to register, then select Tennessee Death Row Dogs under the charity section.  You can help us save lives while doing your grocery shopping at no additional cost!  We are very excited to be a part of this program!

In the last couple of months, Gia has made amazing progress both physically and mentally. It's hard to believe she is the same dog that arrived, covered in hundreds of circular puncture wounds that looked like she was stabbed with an ice pick.  Her ears had also recently been cropped in a crude home chop job, completed with either a knife or a pair of scissors.  We can't imagine how incredibly painful that must have been and treating her double ear infection everyday was sheer terror for her. Gia has suffered a lot in her life, more than any dog should ever have to. Even still, with a painful skin infection all over her body, Gia let us treat her everyday. She knew that we were there to help and now that she is healthy, it's time for her to move into a foster or adoptive home. In her former life, she lived in a junkyard so Gia has a lot to learn about being in a home. She needs someone who can help her transition into the "normal" world. Gia is a very sweet, kind dog and she loves everyone she meets. She holds no grudges about her past life or treatment. Gia lives in the present and she is happy everyday for the second chance she was given. She would do best in a home with a respectful male, or as the only dog. She is fascinated by cats, as she is with many things that she has never experienced before. She also likes to jump on them and smack them with her paws, so she needs to go to a home with no cats!  If you're interested in adopting or fostering Gia, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.!

This is Mitch, a severely neglected German Shepherd was taken in by our rescue after receiving a plea for him a couple of days ago.  He was picked up as a stray in horrible condition, his body covered in large, painful sores.  Animal control did not have a veterinarian on staff, so Mitch had very little time to find a place to go or risk being euthanized due to his health.  We made the decision that Mitch needed our help and he needed it fast!

After arriving at our vet, we have learned a lot more about Mitch.  He is a 104 pound purebred German Shepherd who has been suffering with this condition for a long time.  Not only is his skin in horrible condition, but we've also learned that Mitch is heartworm positive.  Since heartworm treatment is priced by weight, Mitch's will cost us nearly double what a normal treatment costs, as will the antibiotics needed. 

We are excited for the day that Mitch is a gorgeous, healthy German Shepherd, but he has a long road ahead and his medical care will be expensive.  It is estimated that his medication between antibiotics (he needs 3 different kinds), heartworm treatment, pain medication and wound cleaning will cost us $2,000 alone.  This doesn't factor in the cost of his extended hospitalization.  All help is needed and greatly appreciated!  We can accept donations set up in a fund for Mitch, here.  Donations can also be made directly to Mitch's bill out his treating vet, Columbia Hospital for Animals, 1502 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN, 38401.

As always, we thank you for your support and invite you to follow Mitch's journey on our Facebook page!

 

 

 

Last week while going through emails of urgent listings, I started working on some dogs scheduled to be euthanized in Manchester. It's nearly impossible to get a sense of a dog's personality from a photo sadly and they all have a story. As I came to the photo for "County 10", I saw an older, grey faced black Lab laying behind the kennel fence. I immediately felt sad for him, knowing that the shelter environment must be even more stressful for a senior dog. I also knew from my experience in working with urgent dogs, that his chances of making it out of their alive were slim to none. He was a black dog for starters which are hard to place here and he is a senior, not a cute puppy like so many people want. County 10 was one of the lucky ones, because volunteers at AC had been able to make a short video of him. When I saw his video, I watched one of the sweetest dogs I'd ever seen who was overwhelmed with joy for the few minutes of human contact that he had waited nearly a month for. He wanted to go for a walk, he wanted a belly rub, he didn't know what to do first. He was so excited that he rolled over and over. My heart broke because much too soon, that spark for life and love would be gone. I knew that flame of hope he had for a family and freedom, would soon be snuffed out. I was overwhelmed with grief because I knew this special soul was going to die. Life can be very unfair and we see dogs pay the ultimate price for the irresponsibility of humans every single day. County 10 had a family once that he loved, yet he found himself alone in this shelter, abandoned and afraid. I wanted him to have the chance to live out his golden years with a family that cherished him. I wanted him to have a soft bed to lay on, I wanted him to have all the attention he yearned for so badly and I wanted him to feel secure. Above all else, I wanted him to die with dignity and grace one day with his family at his side. He deserved nothing less than that. 

Last Friday, we made the dreams of one special senior come true. We didn't have a foster home open, but we had a kennel open at our facility, Barktopia. When we met him, we saw the same amazing spirit in person. County 10 became Bernie Mac, he received a collar, a bath and we took him for a nature walk on a gorgeous day. He loved every minute of attention we gave him and was so grateful. We made a makeshift room out of his kennel, so that he would feel like he had his own space, complete with walls, a Kuranda bed and soft comforter. Bernie immediately crawled up on his bed, laid down on his comforter and took a nap.

Today, Bernie went for his first vet checkup, received his shots and we were thrilled to learn that he is heartworm negative. Bernie needs to gain some weight and has some muscle loss in his hind end. Our vet estimated his age to be around 8 years old. He might have arthritis, but it definitely doesn't slow him down. He is one very spry, happy guy. He was excited to meet everyone today and behaved like a perfect gentleman. After our visit, we picked up a great glucosamine and chondroitin supplement, as well as some fish oil as our vet recommended. We expect to see Bernie Mac bounding around the play area in no time!

We want to find a perfect home for Bernie, whether it's a foster home or a forever home. He needs and wants a family so badly. He is a wonderful, kind dog that we feel would do best in a quiet home. He loves his walks and is a willing companion for anything, as long as he gets his share of belly rubs. Whoever brings Bernie into their home will gain a loyal, loving and devoted companion that will be forever grateful. He is a rare fellow and we have loved spending time with him, but we want him to start enjoying his life like only a dog in a loving home can. If you or someone you know is looking for a perfect senior, please share Bernie's story with them. He is a treasure and has many great years ahead of him. The best is yet to come for Bernie and we don't want to keep him waiting! If you are interested in fostering Bernie, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Those interested in adopting, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

All of you can watch Bernie's shelter video and smile, knowing that he is now safe.

We thank the Manchester volunteers for all their hard work and know how difficult it can be to see some dogs not make it out. This 2 minutes and 15 seconds saved this dog's life, so you ladies keep up the amazing work there. You are making a difference!

We are starting to receive adoption applications in increasingly large numbers which is wonderful!  However, despite our guidelines clearly listed at the top of the application, some people are not always 100% honest or just outright lie in hopes we won't figure it out.  Let me just say that we will absolutely figure it out after extensive research, as we do on all of our applications.  Each application received takes a good deal of time to go over because we want the best homes for our dogs.  When people are dishonest, we go through this entire process, only to deny the application for a reason that was already listed on the top of the application.  As a result, we have considered making a small application fee of $10 mandatory so that we can reduce the number of applications received to those that meet our requirements.  As a group of small volunteers, this would help us greatly to be able to go through the applications we do receive much faster and more efficiently.  The application fee would be subtracted from the adoption donation amount for the dog of their choice.  Readers, please weigh in and share your thoughts with us!

 

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Very soon, we are planning to hold a Photo Contest in which everyone can enter their dog! All photos are posted online and people can vote for the photos they like best. We want to offer some great prizes to our top 3 winners as an extra incentive to enter. The better the prizes, the more entrants we hope to have! Not only will this be a very fun way for people to show their dogs off, but this contest will also help us raise some much needed funds for our rescue. All donated prizes are tax-deductible and very much appreciated! If you'd like to donate an item as a contest prize, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.!

January hasn't come to an end just yet, but I wanted to share some of the dogs we have saved so far from euthanasia.  We have been very busy!

On January 4th, we saved the lives of nine dogs from two shelters.  All of these dogs were scheduled to be euthanized that day.

This guy is as sweet as they come!  All he wants to do is kiss you all over and lay in your lap.  After pulling him with the help of Partners for Pets in Clayton County, GA, he was taken to Community Animal Hospital in Cleveland.  After receiving all of his vaccinations, being dewormed, heartworm tested and neutered, he hitched a ride to us in Spring Hill and officially became available for adoption.  We are happy to report that he has already found a wonderful family!  We are absolutely thrilled that they live in Spring Hill and hope to run into him again one day!

Painting with a Twist will be hosting a fundraiser for us this Saturday evening at their Spring Hill location from 7-9pm.  Seats are $35 which includes the canvas, brushes and paints used to create your masterpiece!  A portion of each seat sold will be donated to TN Death Row Dogs to help support our rescue.

Attendees are free to bring their favorite bottle of wine for a night of fun we won't soon forget!  We'll be taught step-by-step how to paint the featured painting and everyone will be able to take their painting home as a keepsake.

We hope to see you all there!  Here is the link to sign up: http://www.paintingwithatwist.com/events/viewEvent.aspx?eventID=60855