Saving lives, one dog at a time

Three southern belles need a new home. Dutchess, Calie and Annie, three dogs that the Roosevelt-based All 4 the Dogs Rescue saved from southern animal shelters that have euthanasia rates as high as 80 percent, are up for adoption.

JEFF GRANIT staff Starr Bowker comforts Caie, a 4-month-old Aussie mix, in her Roosevelt home. Bowker's All 4 the Dogs Rescue group recently rescued the dog from a southern animal shelter. All 4 the Dogs Rescue founder Starr Bowker, of School Lane, said many adoptable dogs are euthanized in southern shelters, many of which kill animals by gassing instead of lethal injection.

"They do 25 at a time, putting them in bins," Bowker said. "They do mothers with litters. They will take an owner surrender, but it will be put down right away."

Dutchess, a pointer mix, Calie, a red merle Australian shepherd mix, Annie, a beagle cross, all of which are under 1 year old, did not have to suffer that fate because All 4 the Dogs Rescue took them out of a Virginia shelter and brought them north.

Bowker, whose husband Michael grew up in Roosevelt, has been conducting animal rescues for many years and decided to start All 4 the Dogs Rescue eight months ago. So far, the group has placed 30 rescued dogs into new homes.

JEFF GRANIT staff Calie, a 4-month-old Aussie mix, is up for adoption through the All 4 the Dogs Rescue group in Roosevelt. She works with local animal shelters, including the Burlington County Animal Shelter in Westhampton, The Hamilton Township Animal Shelter in Hamilton Township and the Trenton Animal Shelter in Trenton, but many of the organization's rescues come from shelters with high kill rates in the south. Volunteer transporters along the route each drive for 90 minutes and meet up with other volunteers along the way to get the animals to New Jersey. The animals travel in crates during their journey and Bowker and her volunteers pick them up in Mount Holly.

Bowker said there are many adoptable dogs, including puppies, in rural, southern shelters. She said this may be the result of a lack of spaying and neutering in that area of the country.

Bringing in dogs from other areas of the country is controversial among rescue groups, as some feel there are many dogs in local shelters. Bowker said urban shelters predominantly have pit bulls and other large breeds, but rarely have puppies available. She also estimated that local shelters have a 50 percent euthanasia rate, with large breeds making up the majority of dogs being put down.

Bowker said she tries to adopt out dogs that will be good with kids and other pets. She said southern shelters are full of beagles and hounds. She said her rescue could locate many kinds of dogs, so an adopter does not have to go a pet store to buy one. She does not adopt out pit bulls due to liability issues.

All 4 the Dogs spays or neuters and vaccinates each dog for adoption. The group also tests for heartworm, which is prevalent in the south because many dogs live outside or chained up.

The adoption process begins with submitting an application for a pet. Although the organization's name emphasizes dogs, cats are also available for adoption.

The group reviews the application and whether the home and family would meet the needs of the animal. The applicant must provide a veterinarian and personal reference, phone interview and home visit to complete the application process.

The dog adoption fee is usually $250, with senior dogs that need medical care costing $150. The adoption fee for kittens and cats ranges from $75 to $125.

The rescue group gives senior citizen discounts on adoption fees.

All 4 the Dogs is in the process of obtaining nonprofit status. The rescue group seeks foster homes, volunteers, transporters and donations to help cover the costs of food, medical bills, spaying and neutering and other supplies for homeless animals.

For more information, visit www.petfinder.com and search for All 4 the Dogs Rescue, or e-mail All4thedogsres cue@comcast.net.