SUNSHINE DOG RESCUE

The good news is that COVID had a positive impact on increasing the number of pet adoptions. The bad news is that many new dog owners were unfamiliar with canine behavior resulting in more returns to shelters.

Sunshine Dog Rescue (SDR) of Phoenix, Arizona, an all-breed rescue, has taken an approach to help alleviate this trend by including an in-home training session with a behaviorist for every adoption. Additionally, “We pride ourselves on sending dogs to their homes with basic skills (walking on leash, potty trained, crate trained if age appropriate) and fully vetted,” says Anita Osa, executive director. Things like entering/exiting a vehicle and house manners are worked on but may not be mastered prior to adoption.

Approximately 650 dogs have found their forever homes since the foster-based, 501(c)(3) began in 2015.

Depending on the number of fosters available, SDR has 25–30 dogs in rescue focusing on medium and large breeds. It’s not, however, about the numbers. Osa shares that the focus of SDR is on quality, not quantity of dogs helped.

With about ten regular volunteers and funded by adoption fees, donations and fundraisers, SDR could use the following: puppy food, monetary donations for medical or behavioral rehabilitation, toys and bully sticks. If you have some time and want to assist, they could also use a transporter to help bring dogs from the Tucson area to Phoenix during the week.

Sunshine Dog Rescue is a full partner of PACC911 (Phoenix Animal Care Coalition).

602-617-1829 sunshinedogrescue@yahoo.com sunshinedogrescue.com