State of the Rescue - October 2010

Hello again to all of the PugHearts extended family. We are excited to provide another update on where we are as a group.

Where are we right now?

• 95 foster pugs in our care with 7 waiting to come in (that we know of right now)
• 2 pugs boarding at the vet, waiting for a foster family.
• About 68 foster families actively caring for a pug (or pugs) in their homes.
• A vet bill of just under $10,000 (as of today 10/17)
• Blanco’s was a BLAST! More details on that in a moment.
• Shelters and pounds calling almost every day to ask us to take in a pug. This NEVER changes.
  
  Blanco’s was a great success. The events committee did a fantastic job and the tent looked great. The band (The Norman Number) rocked the house, while Scott (our DJ, http://yourdjhouston.com/ ) kept us all excited and things moving to the beat. The pugs had a great time playing in the pen with all their friends. For the first time ever, we named a volunteer of the year. Mary Ludwig was selected.  (see Blanco's Update below)
  
  Sometimes, I think Mary spends more time at the vet than I do and that is a challenge. Mary has had so many fosters through her home that we have all lost count. We appreciate all of our volunteers. It really does take an army for this to all be successful. So, the part everyone is waiting to hear…. YOU helped us to raise just over $22,000 at Blanco’s. THANK YOU! That makes a HUGE dent in the vet bills and allows us to keep accepting the needy ones (and the needy ones keep coming).
  
  The numbers are better. We are pleased to have had several adoptions recently. However, the holidays are coming fast and we always get a large influx during the holiday season. Most of those will be owner surrenders or owners taking the pugs to the shelters before leaving for vacations and holiday plans; sad, but true. We will always take in pugs that are sick, hurt, tired and ready to give up. We give all that we can to adopt out pugs that are (fairly) healthy, happy and ready to be loved and adored by a family. This is the real joy in rescue. It is not always easy to remember, but well worth the moments we get to look at the results.
  
  As always,
  
  You make this possible.
  
• By fostering, you give a pug time and love to grow, heal and learn.
• By transporting, you allow us to get them to safety and medical care.
• By donating, you allow us the funds we must have to continue medical care and treatment.
• By adopting, you provide a forever home to one that is ready and make room for the next one that needs us.
  
  Please know that there are highs and lows in rescue. There is life and death; happiness and sadness. This is normal and it is OK. I tell people that when I stop smiling for the wins and crying for the losses…then it is time to quit. This is personal. This is wonderful and this is PugHearts.
  
  You keep us going and believing in people.
  
  Without your help, donation and support we could not do what we do.
  
  Thank you.
  
  Cindy