Home > Out of the Cage! > December 2004 > New York Breed Rescue Network (NYBRN): Meet Adopt A Boxer Rescue

New York Breed Rescue Network (NYBRN)

Meet Adopt A Boxer Rescue

Although Adopt A Boxer Rescue (AABR) is a relatively new rescue group, its founders — Jamie Meadow, Dawn Karam, and Sandy Trehy — have more than twenty years of combined experience in rescue. AABR is a collective effort of savvy volunteers working together to rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home unwanted and abandoned Boxer and Boxer-mix dogs.

Jamie is a Licensed Veterinary Technician who has managed her own veterinary hospital for twenty-eight years. Her access to an extensive network of veterinary services has been tremendously beneficial to the Boxers she and her colleagues have rescued that have required medical care.

Boxers are an extremely people-oriented, "in-your-face" breed, according to Jamie. "A Boxer has a great need for human companionship, and rarely is content to take a back seat to his family's lives and activities." In an attempt to gain attention from their people, an overlooked Boxer might resort to unacceptable behaviors. "Many of our rescues are from families that didn't anticipate the attention required by the breed," Jamie explains.

AABR concentrates its efforts in the tri-state area and Pennsylvania, generally within three to four hours of NYC. The group provides hands-on rescue and medical care, as well as educational outreach to enlighten people to the realities of pet guardianship and the importance of spaying and neutering. In terms of adoptions, Jamie anticipates that AABR's placements will mirror those of the organization from which it sprang — approximately 30 dogs each month.

The group focuses its expertise on pure breed Boxers and Boxer mixes, but its volunteers have been known to rescue Frenchies, Bulldogs, and even a Bassett Hound or two. All of the group's activities' are performed by volunteers who operate out of their homes in the Northeast, and, except for medical cases that require hospitalization, almost all AABR dogs are cared for by foster families.

"Without volunteers, there is no rescue," Jamie exclaims. "We have the best, most devoted group of foster homes, transporters, application reviewers, and case workers around. Our volunteer coordinator reviews volunteer applications with the same extensive criteria as an adoption application goes through."

Jamie and Sandy have been active with the Mayor's Alliance and the New York Breed Rescue Network (NYBRN) from their inception. Earlier this year, two AABR volunteers and their Boxers participated in the filming of the Alliance's breed identification video that currently is being completed. And Jamie reports that the NYBRN e-mail group was invaluable in helping AABR complete a home visit in an area where it did not have any representation. A volunteer from the Scottish Terrier Club of Greater NY Rescue drove quite a distance to perform the home check that paved the way for Floyd the Boxer to live happily ever after. While AABR isn't currently networked with any national organizations, the group understands the importance and value of working collaboratively with other rescue groups and shelters.

AC&C is one such organization. AABR takes a significant number of dogs from the AC&C, most of which are challenging dogs that require evaluation and time spent in AABR's most experienced foster homes. "Some of these dogs have been on the city streets for a long time, and a soft bed and the gentle hand of a knowledgeable volunteer begins the Boxer's transition to a new life," explains Jamie.

Because Boxers normally do not kennel well, Jamie is pleased that the Mayor's Alliance and the NYBRN have significantly improved communications between breed rescues and the city shelters, which allows AABR to get sick Boxers out of the shelter and into foster care more swiftly.

When asked to recall a memorable rescue experience, Jamie related the story of Marshall, a young male Boxer who was surrendered to Dawn and transported to White Plains for evaluation. Both front legs were deformed, having been allowed to grow that way without correction. Two orthopedic surgeons evaluated Marshall and agreed to perform the extensive surgery needed to correct the deformity. After eight weeks, x-rays show Marshall's legs are healing well. Another month in his casts and he should be standing tall and running just like any normal 12-month-old Boxer!

Jamie also recalls Lynne Melemenis, a dear friend, rescue volunteer, and a friend to the Boxers, who passed away in September. Jamie remembers her friend, and expressed thanks to her on behalf of all the animals she rescued and all the volunteers she helped.

Speaking of friends, the folks at AABR believe that a Boxer is just about the perfect friend, Jamie says. "However, they are not for everyone," she continues. "We want potential adopters to know that he or she will demand a lot from you…rely on you for nearly everything: food, water, shelter, protection, training, exercise, grooming, veterinary care, and of course, love and companionship. While it's important to choose the right Boxer for your needs, it is equally important to ensure that you can meet their needs. Of course, the responsibilities of being a guardian of any dog are great, but the love and friendship you'll receive in return are priceless."

To learn more about Adopt A Boxer Rescue, please visit their web site at www.AdoptABoxerRescue.com. You can e-mail co-founder Jamie Meadow at nyboxerrescue@yahoo.com.

The New York Breed Rescue Network (NYBRN) is a sub-coalition of groups within the Mayor's Alliance who have chosen to concentrate on the placement of purebred (or nearly pure) dogs and cats. These groups view puppy mills, pet shops, and irresponsible breeders as the problem, and believe that by combining efforts toward a common goal, they will make a real difference. For a list of NYBRN member groups and links to their web sites, click here.