SAFETY FIRST

MR. KRABS

This sweet face is Mr. Krabs, who was originally adopted from us in 2018. We were contacted in early 2021 when his chip was scanned all the way in North Carolina! He was wandering the streets when a kind human found him. We're not sure how he became a stray in North Carolina (when we contacted his previous owner they confirmed they had rehomed him). We knew we had to get him back and help him. We worked with some amazing volunteers and a volunteer transport team to get him back into our care. We soon found he was walking with a pronounced limp. He had visual muscular atrophy on his hind end and was lumpy in several areas. After two separate consultations, we confirmed that he had torn his cruciate ligaments in both hind legs.

This surgery is pricey — but we take our commitment to our dogs seriously. While we weren't prepared for the expense, we did what we needed to do to make his surgery happen. We then asked our community for help...

At ATR, we commit to our dogs forever and no matter what.

When we asked for help, some really amazing things happened. First, Two Pups Wellness Fund generously offered to match all donations up to $2400! Then, the public donated an additional $5,875 for a whopping total of $8,275!

As for Mr. Krabs? He recovered from his surgery in the home of our very own Foster Coordinator, Kelsey Doyon! There he received lots of cuddles, chew toys, and even some water therapy. Mr. Krabs, now Bowie, is living his best life! Bowie ’ s dad is a teacher at a local elementary school who absolutely dotes on him. Bowie gets to go on all kinds of adventures with his dad, and always has a safe, loving, place to call home.

The vet cleared Mr. Krabs and he was ready to find his happily ever after.

Mr. Krabs as a puppy in 2018

These are the fairytale endings we work so hard for. Thanks for being such a crucial part of these stories and making the dreams of so many deserving dogs come true!

376 Active Volunteers 389 Matchmaker Hours 349 Event Hours 102 Canine Caregiver Hours

3,766

TOTAL VOLUNTEER HOURS

ATR knows how to throw a PAWty

PUPPIES, PILATES + PROSECCO

In August, ATR excitedly brought back the incredibly popular event, Puppies, Pilates + Prosecco! With so many people excited to see our new facility, we hosted it under our very own roof. It was so popular that we hosted another one later in the year.

Guests got their burn on, enjoyed puppy snuggles and kisses, drank some tasty drinks served up by Modern Bartender, and shopped the vendors and merch booths! Some even adopted puppies and others won some of the fabulous raffle prizes!

VANITY FUR SOIRÉE

Chers amis, we ’ re delighted to announce: Vanity Fur, a soirée, at the historical Wrigley Mansion was a massive success! In November, Almost There Rescue hosted a lavish affair at the beautiful Wrigley Mansion. Guests dressed in their best cocktail attire and joined us for a marvelous and memorable experience with decadent drinks, devine hors d’ oeuvres, unique silent auction items, puppy races (yes, you read that right), and much more!

While this event was an absolute blast for attendees, it also raised over $65,000 for the shelter!

ATR's team would do ANYTHING for dogs...

We kicked off December with perhaps the most bizarre fundraising event most had ever seen.

ATR partnered with nonprofit Jordan ’ s Way to raise as much money as possible utilizing social media and some truly off-the-wall tactics.

It all started when ATR was one of two Arizona rescues selected to be part of the Jordan ’ s Way 50-state tour to help raise awareness and funds needed for saving and caring for more homeless dogs in need. Jordan ’ s Way is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that hosts 4-hour fun-filled live Facebook fundraisers at animal rescues and shelters across the country. Founded by Kris Rotonda to honor his best friend, a shelter dog named Jordan, Kris and his team have helped more than 250 shelters in over 40 states raise millions. Kris and his team visited us and all hell broke loose!all hell broke loose!

LITTER-ALLY ANYTHING!

Our dedicated team is always willing to help raise the funds needed to save more dogs and nothing showed that more than the insane tactics ATR’ s team engaged in to raise money. Staff and volunteers alike took pies to the face, ice water buckets in the frigid night air and so much more.

ATR’ s Development Director, Heidi, offered to get an ATR logo tattoo while another ATR team member, Ashley, even offered to shave her head if we met our goal. ATR raised an incredible $31,000! We smashed our goal, Heidi was tattooed, and Ashley had her head shaved! Now that’ s dedication!

We fundraise HARD because we know the money goes right to the dogs. We want you to know exactly how your support helps our rescued friends too; Look how far your dollars go!

PARK + BARK

Almost There Rescue moved into a gorgeous brand new facility in December of 2020, and to celebrate one year we held a Park + Bark! Held in our parking lot in the beautiful Arizona winter weather, this event included adoptions, good food, some of our rescue partners, and some great barking lot items for sale!

As we ended our eventful year, we reflected back to when we first moved into our beautiful new facility. We had no idea what incredible things 2021 had in store for us.

While 2021 seems impossible to top, we ’ re very optimistic and have good reason to be!

Rescue is hard work, physically, financially, and emotionally. Oftentimes, the dogs that come into our care arrive dirty, hungry, and scared. Sometimes they are hurt or sick. But because of you, we can give them the best possible care. Because of you, these dogs get a clean, warm place to sleep, full bellies, and lots of love. They get medical attention and whatever they need to be comfortable and happy. Mamas can birth and raise their babies in peace. Puppies can socialize and play in a fun and safe environment. Families find their perfect match. Deserving dogs find their forever homes. YouYou dodo that,that, andand wewe areare soso veryvery thankful.thankful.

While dogs are at the center of what ATR does, ATR is also about people. Volunteers, adopters, fosters, donors, and partners make this important work possible. Together, we are accomplishing bigger things, elevating the greater community, and saving more lives.

Our vision for the future is bright! Join us!