TorontoBarks.com is pleased to announce a new monthly column and section of the site that will feature a shelter or rescue dog who is in need of a place to hang his or her leash in a new forever home.
Since creating TorontoBarks.com the site founder, Lowell Brown, has continuously evaluated ways to use the web site to help promote the amazing animals left to live in shelters or without stable homes. "This web site attracts thousands of visitors each month. These are all people who own dogs or have some interest in dogs, a key audience that can help with the ongoing efforts to find these dogs new homes," Brown said.
Lorraine Houston, director of Speaking of Dogs, an organization devoted to education, outreach and rescue, has generously offered to assist with the mission. "Our primary goal is to bring to light the number of dogs who, through no fault of their own, need a second chance at love and life," Houston said. "As well, while introducing readers to the different groups via the column, we hope to inspire some of you to become involved in volunteering, even in some small way – no job is too small when it comes to helping dogs! Fundraising, event planning, newsletter creation, web site maintenance, fostering, transporting and administrative tasks all need the helping hands of many."
Some twenty-five years ago Houston worked for the humane society, " I was somewhat idealistic (as often the young are). We saw so many dogs coming into the shelter each day, it was over-whelming. Litters of puppies that were ‘accidental’, yet often the same people were back 6 months later with another box full of pups, teenaged dogs were given up because they grew too big, were too energetic or people “had no time” for them, other times dogs were left at the shelter because people were moving, had allergies, the dog was destroying the house, or the kids no longer had any interest and senior dogs were often seen at the shelter when owners were moved to long term nursing homes or the hospital. Each new day also brought an influx of stray dogs who were never claimed. I believed that if we educated people on proper dog care, the importance of spaying/neutering, providing adequate exercise and stimulating the mind through positive training and interaction people would “get it” and dogs would live a happy, full life with the humans that originally chose to make them part of their families."
Houston adds, "Dogs need us to be their responsible caregivers, but regrettably we don’t always make the right choices and dogs can and do end up put in precarious situations because of those choices. Every dog who needs re-homing has a story, but in most cases we won’t ever know their story in its entirety. If only dogs could talk! But because they can’t we hope to speak for them as best we can through the Barking for a Home column which will begin in January. I’m looking forward to bringing the work of shelters and rescue organizations to the site, networking with TorontoBarks.com members and hopefully helping needy dogs find the love and care they so deserve!"
We hope you will help us spread the word and find these dogs new home. Stay tuned to TorontoBarks.com. If you see a dog that fills a void in your heart or you know someone who could help, let us or the shelter/rescue group know.
For further information please contact:
Lowell Brown, TorontoBarks.com
416-398-6669
info@torontobarks.com
