Category: Awareness

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Help Needed Now

We need your help, and we need it now!

With Paws Give Me Purpose Sanctuary already at capacity and with low medical funds, we had closed intake. We were seriously focusing on paying off bills and rebuilding our medical fund and working hard to make sure that the dogs here in Sanctuary have all their needs met. That has to be our priority!

But, when a volunteer reached out to us on Friday pleading for help at 3:30pm from a high kill municipal shelter that these three senior dogs, who no one else wanted, only had until 5pm before they were euthanized, our hearts would not let us say no.

While we hate to continue to ask for money, we know that in order to sustain operations and help these dogs, it is what we must do.

We ask that you please open your hearts and send your most generous gift to help us with their urgent medical care. No amount is too small.

PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/pawsgivemepurposeinc

Venmo: @PAWSGIVEMEPURPOSE-INC

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Welcome Zoey

There’s something about cute little dogs with tiny faces and big eyes that makes everyone want to adopt one, but sadly so many end up tossed out on the street or dumped in a shelter because they simply were not behaving the way you thought they should. 

When you adopt or even purchase a dog from a breeder, you should in theory choose to be a responsible owner. People seem to think that small dog breeds can’t possibly cause any harm, so they believe they don’t require training and discipline but people need to realize even a tiny Chihuahua or Yorkie can bite. Obedience training and discipline are always a must, for both you and your dog’s benefit.

Meet Zoey! Zoey is our newest Sanctuary resident and what we do know about her is beyond heartbreaking. Estimated to be merely 3 years old, this fragile, 4.2 pound girl was tossed out like garbage on to the streets of Baltimore and left to fend for herself for who knows how long. 

While her background history is a mystery, she was thankfully picked up by Animal Control and brought to a shelter. The shelter reached out for help stating that Zoey was extremely terrified; was urinating and defecating just coming out of the crate upon arrival.

Zoey arrived severely underweight, vomiting with abdominal pain, alopecia, matted hair with her tail crusted in feces and severe bilateral luxation of both rear patellas. She had mild dental tartar and would shriek and bite when anyone approached or touched her. To top it off, she was also in heat. 

Zoey is now safe with us at Paws Give Me Purpose Sanctuary and has received the urgent and necessary medical care she needed and deserves. We are continuing to closely monitor her appetite and will need to schedule a consultation with our orthopedic surgeon to evaluate the issue with her back legs. She is tentatively scheduled to have her spay surgery on November 24th.

Her fear is palpable; and she absolutely does not trust human beings. She constantly trembles, attempts to bite and her shrieking is beyond comprehension; she has clearly been traumatized, and extremely mistreated. Clearly her mental scars run deep and she has never had proper human interactions, a loving touch or an ounce of training. 

Since her arrival on September 30, she has warmed up to only one person here in Sanctuary and seeks refuge from humans, and random sounds in a closet. She literally squeezes herself inside a tiny closet opening to hide in the dark, not even coming out to eat unless her person comes to get her. 

Asking for money isn’t easy for anyone to do, but we need your help more than ever! Sanctuary is at full capacity and taking care of all of our pups is our top priority. While we hate to continue to ask for money, we know that in order to sustain operations and help dogs like Zoey, it’s what we must do. 

Please pray for Zoey. Help us help Zoey feel well again. Help us help Zoey to learn to love and trust the human race.

We ask that you please consider making a donation to help us with Zoey’s care. If anyone is interested in sponsoring Zoey please reach out to us directly.

PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/pawsgivemepurposeinc

Venmo: @PAWSGIVEMEPURPOSE-INC

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Trick Or Treat From Oscar

Trick-or Treat! 

Hi, it’s me Oscar, one of the senior Sanctuary residents at Paws Give Me Purpose Inc. Bet you didn’t recognize me in my costume, I barely recognize myself!

Halloween is here, and though you might get a kick out of the adorable witches and ghosts who come to your door, us dogs may not be as thrilled. 

Halloween is pretty loud and chaotic, much different from any other “normal” day of the year. So please be aware that all those fun Halloween activities you enjoy can be stressful for us dogs.

Unusual activities like constant doorbell ringing and costumed visitors can all pose threats, and cause us anxiety. Us dogs are creatures of habit, and when our normal routine is interrupted we can feel uncomfortable and even get agitated – Halloween is no exception. Keep your little pup-kin safe by following my easy tips.

1 – CHOOSE A COMFY COSTUME 

Never force your little pup-kin to dress up. I happen to like dressing up! If your dog enjoys it like I do, be sure the costume isn’t constricting, unsafe or annoying as this can add stress.

2 – TRICK-OR-TREAT CANDY IS NOT FOR US DOGS

No candy for us furry trick-or-treaters. Keep us away from your candy stash; it can be very toxic.

I plan on hanging out in the Sanctuary Senior Center with all the other senior pups, enjoying some delicious doggie treats specially prepared for us. 

3 – KEEP YOUR PUP IN A SEPARATE AREA, AWAY FROM THE HOCUS POCUS

Keep your pup away from the front door where all the action is. Keeping them in a separate room with a favorite toy or snack will prevent over-stimulation and attempts to escape. 

4 – CALM SKITTISH SPIRITS

If your dog is anything like me and gets a little skittish during too much excitement, you can try a calming supplement, apparel or even some lavender essential oil in a diffuser to help keep them relaxed. 

They use essential oils here at Paws Give Me Purpose and they really do help a great deal.

5 – BEWARE OF DECORATION DANGERS

Don’t let cords dangle or leave candles unattended. Watch for choking hazards and be wary of any animated decorations that might make loud startling noises causing us dogs to be stressed. 

6 – PLEASE! MAKE SURE YOUR FURRY FAMILY MEMBER IS WEARING AN ID

Be sure your pup is wearing identification or is even microchipped to provide peace of mind just in case they manage to slip out.

Halloween can be a little intimidating for us dogs, because we really don’t understand all the hoopla. So when it comes to your own furry friend, be mindful of where you put the chocolate, exercise them earlier in the day to drain their energy so they can be more relaxed and reward them with dog-safe treats to keep them busy and as rewards when they are non-reactive to trick-or-treaters.

Halloween should be fun for your entire family including us furry family members. Keep my tips in mind during your festivities to ensure everyone stays safe and have a wonderful time.

Happy Halloween! 🎃