Home > Out of the Cage! > January/February 2006 > New York Breed Rescue Network: Herding Dog Rescue's Deb Miller Finds Treasures at Animal Shelters

New York Breed Rescue Network

Herding Dog Rescue's Deb Miller Finds Treasures at Animal Shelters

When Deb Miller's 12-year-old Standard Poodle, Beau Brummel, died, she found herself wandering the aisles of the Town of Hempstead animal shelter, as myriad sad faces reached out to her. "I pushed the feelings back and decided to do something about the homeless animal situation," Deb says.

So she joined the League for Animal Protection, an organization that worked with the Nassau County SPCA, and eventually became the group's vice president. At about that time, Deb rescued a Black Lab mix who people told her was a hopeless case. "When I brought the sad fellow to my vet, we discovered that not only was his leg broken and emaciated body shot up with bee-bees, but he also had heartworm, whipworm, and nearly every other parasite you could think of," she says. "Everyone told me not to bother…he was old and hopeless, they said."

"Well, that old hopeless dog lived to age twenty," Deb continues. "I had him for 13 years, and he became a first class therapy dog and brought joy to many elderly people. He was written up in the news and J.D. (for John Doe) became my inspiration. He showed me the hidden treasures that could be found at the animal shelter."

Deb founded Herding Dog Rescue (HDR) seven years ago, after rescuing a German Shepherd she named Quincy and training him for obedience and flyball. A colleague, Risa Stein, who operated a German Shepherd rescue, taught Deb a great deal about the breed. Later, after Deb fostered a Collie named Friday, she decided to expand the group's parameters to include Collies, Collie mixes, and Corgis.

The group operates on Long Island and in New York's five boroughs. According to Deb, HDR rescues between 100 and 150 dogs each year. "I know we could do greater volume," she says, "but it takes time to find the right home for these dogs."

Finding the right home for a herding dog often requires educating potential adopters. Herding dogs are extremely smart, but some potential adopters don't understand that they need strong leadership. They also need "jobs" — so that they feel occupied and useful.

Providing adequate care for each rescued dog also poses limitations on the number of dogs HDR can take in. All of the rescues are in foster care with the group's small number of volunteers. A small building on Deb's Yaphank, L.I., property serves as a kennel. Deb is anxious to raise money to complete renovations on the kennel and also to purchase the land adjacent to her property to expand the group's capacity — and save more lives.

HDR takes in as many dogs from NYC's Animal Care & Control (AC&C) as it can accommodate — generally two to three dogs each month. Recently they took in a three-legged Collie mix from AC&C's Brooklyn shelter. The dog's person had been killed in a house fire. "The animals are fabulous and deserving," says Deb, noting that the evaluations given by AC&C shelter staff have been very accurate. "I feel that I am really giving these dogs a second chance. I like to see them blossom and go on to new homes where they are loved."

Like Gordy, a Border Collie mix from the AC&C Manhattan shelter, who last September came to HDR with the unfortunate habit of jumping onto people and nipping at them. Deb trained Gordy to "Off" and "Sit," and in January, after being re-evaluated by a professional trainer, Gordy was welcomed into his permanent new home, where the family loves him.

Another AC&C dog, Jen, found her way into Deb's care from the Brooklyn shelter last year on Christmas Eve. Despite her fly-bitten ears and half a tail, Jen was beautiful. But Christmas morning she awoke limp and trembling, with a spiking fever from a serious upper respiratory infection. Deb rushed Jen to an emergency vet hospital and prayed for a Christmas miracle. A week later, Jen's good health was restored and she returned to Deb's home, where she is awaiting the perfect adopter.

Most of HDR's adopters come to them via the Internet, and adoptions are made only after a home visit is made by one of the group's volunteers. "It has to be the right match," says Deb. She explained that she will take back any dog she places if the adoption doesn't work out or if the dog needs to be re-homed — as was the case when she took back a dog after five years when his adopters died. "We like to adopt to people who live close enough for us to help out if there are any problems," Deb explains.

Deb credits a small cadre of big-hearted volunteers — Florence Harff, Jan Zedalis, Risa Stein, Angela Saraceno, and Steffi Kroff — with the group's success. (More volunteers are needed to foster and transport animals, and help with fundraising.) She acknowledges the Mayor's Alliance and Maddie's Fund for their support with transport and funds, respectively. And she says that being a part of the Mayor's Alliance's NY Breed Rescue Network has " allowed us the exposure we need to help more animals. People know where to find us for help — both for help with an animal and also to find the right dog to adopt."

Deb is proud of HDR's accomplishments and of its commitment to the animals it rescues, both behaviorally and medically. Not every dog HDR takes in finds an adopter. For these special few, HDR maintains a small sanctuary, equipped with a handicapped ramp and comfortable doggy beds. Here, these senior or handicapped animals — including several blind dogs, a blind and deaf dog, and one with lupus — live out their lives in Deb's care in a comforting and loving environment — along with Deb's own companion Collies (Tristen and Jove), rescue horses (Tara, Charm, and Petunia), a goat, and several cats.

Does Deb feel like a matchmaker? You bet, she says. "We make many humans and canines happy. The dogs are given a new life…and our adopters are happy to adopt a pet that fits into their family."

To learn more about Herding Dog Rescue and find out how you can contribute to its life-saving work by donating or volunteering, visit www.herdingdogrescue.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.