|
Difference Makers:
Inspiration and Impact
|
|
|
|
JULY ADOPTS
Cats 26 / Dogs 37
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HAPPENINGS AT HEADQUARTERS |
|
This month we want you to meet Shelby. She has been with us for 9 months and has been a very helpful, wonderful addition to the TMAR crew at the rescue. |
|
Here she is with her fur babies. Archer is a black male dog and Ayla is a goldenish female dog. |
|
|
Shelby also has two cats. Trip is a three legged man cat. Howard is an adventurous Siamese. |
|
|
Tell us a little about yourself, Shelby:
I was raised in a small town called Derby, Kansas. (a shout out to our Kansas followers!) Shortly after graduating High School, I moved to Wichita, Kansas, where I pursued jobs in the animal industry.
I started working with animals professionally at the age of 20 when I accepted a job at a local animal Hospital/Doggy Daycare. I worked as Kennel and Daycare attendant learning all I could. Staying there for four years, I grew my love of animals and my knowledge of animal welfare.
Prior to working at TMAR, I was the Surgical Team Supervisor for the Kansas Humane Society, where I worked for five years. This is where my love of fast-paced, stressful, and urgent animal medical care stemmed. As not only a spay/neuter clinic but also a high volume intake shelter, we were often scheduled with 45 plus surgeries a day, 7 days a week.
I got used to being called for an emergency:
“A dog jumped over a fence and impaled himself in the stomach with the tip of the fence”
Or
“Surgery patient came back coding”
I noticed that in those times there would be a calm that came over me and I just knew the next step to take.
It dawned on me that other people noticed this too. Vets were calling “ME”. Needing me. A human that, outside of this, is a quirky, ditzy, forgetful and high energy person. I could be …. calm.
Everything fell into place for me and I understood my place. Here I am at 33 and not much has changed. I can’t remember to eat but I can remember your dog’s weight for a year because I gave it medicine that one time!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What brought you to TMAR? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I worked with Dr. Jess at the Kansas Humane Society and from there a friendship sparked.
After we both left KHS, we continued together doing spay/neuter clinics in Kansas in her mobile unit. She had been inviting me to North Dakota for years. I always had some excuse for not going. (I’m shy and introverted). Finally I said: you know what? I have to stop being scared and go…. So I went.
In October 2024, I came to help with a spay/neuter clinic and fell in love. So much so that by the end of November I was moved and employed. I could not be happier.
|
|
The difference that you can physically see TMAR is making is inspiring and I‘m so grateful to be a part of this mission.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
And now for the nitty gritty: What do you do at TMAR?
I do a little bit of everything. I do a lot of the medical stuff. Wound care is something I really enjoy doing. It’s different here than it was in Wichita. A lot of animals I work on I get to see all the way to the end. I really like that! In Wichita it felt like I would work on a dog for half a day or a week and then never see or hear from it again for various reasons.
|
|
|
You see a dog or cat come in under such not good conditions that even you aren’t sure if you should take a chance on it; but you do take that chance. You see it change the animal’s life forever. Now that’s something special. The gratitude of these animals has blown me away!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I’ve had some pretty serious wounds to take care of, which I’ll admit at first was really intimidating. I’m used to working alongside a vet and in the absence of that luxury I’ve had to find a confidence in myself that I lacked for a long time. |
|
It’s definitely nerve wracking having an animal rely so heavily on you when half of it’s face is missing from a mountain lion attack, or there’s a hole in the side of a dog’s stomach after being attacked by a group of dogs, or endless dogs that come in hit by a car with a shattered pelvis
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It feels like a revolving door at times but I get to see these people and these animals through to the end. Whether that be a successful treatment or helping someone say goodbye to their fur baby as it crosses the rainbow bridge. |
|
All this can take it’s toll on you.
What do you do in your spare time?
Spare time? What’s that? ………………
Just kidding. I enjoy anything outdoors. Hiking, camping, backpacking, sitting in the dirt or grass or sand or doing nothing.
Collecting sticks with Archer.
I’m learning to enjoy new things that I’m not great at: like kayaking and paddle boarding. You don’t have to be good at something to enjoy it…. Although it does help.
I like seeing new places and experiencing different cultures and ways of life.
|
|
I spend a lot of time by myself, observing and being with my dogs. I am a mental health advocate because you’re the only one you have and nothing else is more important than taking care of yourself…. so that you can take care of others in the way that you want. |
|
Remember I am very shy and introverted. But I have a dream that some day people will want to hear what I have to say and maybe that could make a difference in people’s lives.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We will be hearing from Shelby again about a special memorable moment working at TMAR. So watch for her in an upcoming newsletter. |
|
|
PET EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Having an emergency plan for your pet(s) is just as important as having one for yourself.
Disasters happen…… Are you ready? Don’t put it off…….
Do you have your contact information on your pets’ collar(s) or on up to date microchip(s)?
Who will be responsible for your pet(s) if something happens to you?
Where is a safe place to go if you and your pet(s) need to be evacuated and seek shelter?
Here is a simple AND important emergency kit to put together:
|
|
For more information visit the ASPCA site and the American Humane Society site. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Are you reaydy for August?
Here we go!
|
|
August 9: Meet & Greet: Heritage Days at Heritage Village
20th ST NE, East Grand Forks, MN
|
|
|
|
August 10: Meet & Greet Pet Supplies Plus 2:00 - 4:00pm
2215 16th St NW, Minot, ND
|
|
|
|
August 12: Puppy Yoga at Yuj Yoga Studios 6:00 - 8:00pm
1445 1st Ave N, Fargo, ND
|
|
|
|
August 14: Meet & Greet Buffalo Wild Wings 6:00 - 8:00pm
1501 42nd St S, Fargo, ND
|
|
|
|
August 16: We have THREE events
Meet & Greet Scheels Minot Dog Days 12:00 - 4:00pm
2400 10th St SW, Minot, ND
|
|
|
|
AND
Meet & Greet at Mission: Tribute Fest 2:00 - 8:30pm
1329 5th Ave N, Fargo, ND
|
|
|
|
AND
Meet & Greet Sabin Harvest Days 11:00 - 2:00pm
7434 MN-9, Sabin, MN
|
|
|
|
Looking forward to seeing you anywhere! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HOW TO ADOPT
Our rescue is volunteer-based. We rely heavily on our fosters. Most of our animals are adopted out of foster homes. Currently most of our fosters are in the Fargo and Grand Forks area of North Dakota.
We highly encourage you to apply NOW
so you can be pre-approved for future TMAR animals!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Meet Doug and Suzanne from Minot, ND:
We have been helping in various ways for nearly four years by donating items, etc. But felt the need to help more. We adopted two TMAR dogs Mocha (TMAR Camille) and Ruger (TMAR Jimmy from Rockstars) about 4 months apart a little over three years ago, making our bond to TMAR even deeper.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We decided to volunteer because our heart strings are pulled to help in some way other than what we were doing. We see the need to help the ones that can’t help themselves, the pups and cats, and we want to help the staff at TMAR.
There is so much burn out rescuing animals and we want to try to alleviate some of that. We have been known to sit for hours trying to coax scared lost animals to safety within our local town so we felt some of the staff’s frustrations and excitement when we can rescue one.
After receiving an email asking for volunteers, we decided to help out with the live events at our local pet stores. It was an easy decision, one we are both excited to do! Suzanne didn’t have to think twice about that decision. We have been a part of the live functions of TMAR since the start of the Minot showings.
The most rewarding aspect of helping with placing pets is seeing the joy and love pets and new fur baby owners experience when they find each other. Sometimes hearts are healed, as in our case and one we recently witnessed at a local event. Or hearts are just made more full by a new fur baby!
The most challenging aspect is seeing all the beautiful pets still needing and waiting for a loving home
Thank you Doug and Suzanne for your passion for animals
in the midst of your busy lives.
You have become a great asset for TMAR in Minot, ND,
as well as a wonderful part of the TMAR family.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
So many creative opportunities are waiting for you!
You are all making that difference!
|
|
|
|
If you are at all interested in helping with online replies on our Facebook, then you have come to the right place.
Message our TMAR Facebook page and ask how you can help.
|
|
|
|
|
Throughout the Summer we will have FLASH SALES.
Follow us on
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TMAR operates in an underserved community where veterinary access is sparse and local animals are in desperate need of a helping hand. We work hand in hand with our community to save thousands of animals each year. We are nothing without our community, our volunteers and our supporters.
Every dollar you donate will go towards providing vaccinations, mange and flea and tick treatments, paying for vet bills, gas for transports, food for the animals, and our biggest goal, a shelter. You can donate financially:
|
|
Mail check to:
Turtle Mountain Animal Rescue
PO BOX 896
Rolla, ND 58367
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charity Navigator is a non profit watchdog that evaluates charities on their health and impact. They help donors make informed giving decisions. We have earned a score of 93% and a FOUR-STAR rating. This highlights how effectively we use all your donations to help animals in need. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
