Mutt Rescue Inc. founder and owner Lori Jerusik accepts the check for $25,000 from the state to continue rescuing homeless and helpless dogs.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
CHICOPEE — Mutt Rescue, located at 102 Grove St., received a legislative earmark to assist with its mission of rescuing dogs and helping them find their next home.
Mutt Rescue is a 501c3 nonprofit rescue to save the many needy animals from various situations and find them wonderful “furever” homes.
It was recently announced, and a check presentation was hosted, that Mutt Rescue will receive an earmark-funded check for $25,000.
The funding is expected to go a long way in helping with a remodeling project by allowing the center to continue rescuing and get dogs ready for adoption.
Mutt Rescue, Inc. Founder and Owner Lori Jerusik explained that she started the rescue eight years ago and has rescued 5,000 dogs over that span.
“The earmark is for the rescue. The money is helping all these homeless dogs and they’re actually homeless and helpless. We domesticated them, it’s our responsibility now,” she explained.
Jerusik built the building using her own money and said, “I wish I could help them all. It’s so tough, the southern states they just don’t want to spay and neuter.”
She explained that most of the dogs are rescued from the south, mainly Arkansas, where Jerusik has friends down there who run shelters and save them, treat them and inoculate them.
“A lot of times these dogs are shot at, they’ve got bullets in them, they got traps on their paws, they’re born under decks, they get thrown out on highways, starved so you can see their ribcage, so we get the momma and the babies,” Jerusik said about the condition of the dogs she rescues.
Jerusik sends a transport down once they are ready and brings them to Mutt Rescue where they start their mandatory isolation. After their isolation period is up, Jerusik’s veterinarian examines them to release them and be ready for the two adoption events hosted each month.
For those looking to potentially adopt a rescue animal, Jerusik said, “My doors are open all week long. Walk-ins are welcome this way we adopt out the dogs throughout the week. Then I have events twice a month, so two weekends out of a month, and it’s very heartbreaking, heart wrenching.”
About 99% of the rescue dogs are from Arkansas, so as of now, Jerusik said she mainly helps out the southern states but is set to partner with West Springfield to help dogs that are found on the street.
Once approved, those dogs will be brought to Mutt Rescue for seven days to see if the owner comes forward to claim the dog.
If they owner does not want the dog, Jerusik said she will keep them at the rescue center and get them ready for adoption.
“So now I’m helping our own locally as well as the southern states,” Jerusik said.
Jerusik said she plans to expand Mutt Rescue and is in the process of adding an addition to the building to have an in-house veterinarian, Dr. Margarita Brown, be there starting on March 1.
Brown is currently doing some vet clinics at Mutt Rescue where there are vet clinics twice a month, but Jerusik explained, “the addition is going to be for her and she’s going to rent that from me because we don’t have any more veterinarians in Chicopee, not one, they’re all gone so I’m bringing a veterinarian back to Chicopee. Her rent is going to help the rescue.”
After the addition to the building is complete, Jerusik said her next goal is to add a small swimming pool or hot tub for dogs who need aqua/hydro therapy that will be available to use for free.
The many benefits to aqua therapy include post-operative rehabilitation, arthritis, disabilities, prevention of injury, retraining due to nerve damage or deficiencies, pain control, general conditioning, intensive conditioning for sport dogs and hydro-massage and for dogs who are missing a limb.
Readers can checkout muttrescueofmassachusetts.org to learn more and view dogs in need of loving homes. Walk-ins are welcomed and Mutt Rescue is open Monday through Friday from 12-6 p.m. Appointments can be made on Saturday and Sundays.
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