Home > Out of the Cage! > September 2006 > APO Capacity Building: Herding Dog Rescue Receives Grant to Expand Capacity

APO Capacity Building

Herding Dog Rescue Receives Grant to Expand Capacity

When it rained, water used to seep under the wallboards, and Deb Miller had to soak it up with towels. And in the winter, keeping the kennels warm was a daily challenge. But today those hardships are history, thanks to a grant from the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals.

The grant was awarded to Deb Miller, Director of Herding Dog Rescue, an Alliance Participating Organization (APO), to improve and expand the Long Island shelter where the group cares for Collies, German Shepherds, and other herding dog breeds. Since nearly 90 percent of the dogs rescued and re-homed by the group are transfers from NYC's Animal Care & Control, the additional capacity provided by the improvements will immediately increase the organization's ability to save more lives.

The improvements, which will be completed this fall, include new insulation in the walls and ceiling, windows for cross-ventilation, re-pitched concrete floors, and larger runs that provide indoor/outdoor use. An additional run also has been added.

"Now the shelter feels like a building, not a dog house," says Deb. "The insulation and windows for cross-ventilation provide greater temperature control so we can get maximum use of the shelter year-round, and thereby increase the number of dogs we can take in. The insulation also helps with controlling noise in the shelter."

Deb is particularly pleased with the addition of indoor/outdoor runs with doggie doors, which allow her charges greater freedom in all types of weather. "Some of the dogs come here traumatized, and a comfortable country environment helps to relax them, and prepare them for their next permanent home."

While providing much-needed improvements to the facility, the Mayor's Alliance grant also has given Deb the confidence to apply for additional grants from other sponsoring organizations. She already is eyeing sources for funding to upgrade another building on the property that can be converted to house more dogs.

Like Ebony, whose twisted muzzle is reminiscent of Picasso's (the young Pit Bull mix for whom the Picasso Veterinary Fund is named). Ebony was treated at Veterinary Emergency and Referral Group in Brooklyn for injuries she sustained while living on the streets. (Her twisted muzzle, however, was not an injury, but instead a congenital condition.) Herding Dog Rescue recently took Ebony in and will find her a permanent home. If you're interested in adopting or finding out more about Ebony, or if you want to learn more about Herding Dog Rescue and its mission, please contact Deb Miller at info@herdingdogrescue.com. Or visit the web site at www.herdingdogrescue.com.