A Second Chance For Homeless Pets

A second chance for homeless pets

By Laura Eastes

A love for animals and the belief that all animals deserve a second chance were the reasons Louise Collins founded The Great Plains Angels for Animals organization in 2007.

In 2009, the same two reasons brought Dixie Fisher to the nonprofit that adopts and rescues animals.

Fisher adopted two Boston terrier dogs from Collins. Within weeks after the adoption, Fisher found herself volunteering at Collins' state-licensed foster home for animals. Within two months, she opened her own home to become a foster care parent for pets. Today, she is the organization's vice president.

“Dogs can become a part of your environment,” said Fisher. “You can look at them and know they love you. They appreciate you and they are excited to see you come home.”

As president of the organization, Collins spends an average of five hours each Tuesday at the Liberal Animal Shelter to examine the animals. The organization's main goal is to prevent euthanasia. Collins said animals deserve a second chance.

"If there are good dogs on the list to be euthanized, we try to save them,” said Collins. “We can't save them all and that is the sad part.”

Collins estimates the organization has saved over 400 dogs since February 2007. Area animal shelters release dogs and cats to the organization. Once released, the animal will be placed into one of 12 individual foster homes.

Collins and fellow volunteers strive to find good homes for the animals. The organization adopts animals to the public. Interested individuals may call the organization to inquire about available animals.

In addition to local adoptions, volunteers contact other rescue groups to help in the adoption of Southwest Kansas dogs.

Some of the dogs saved have traveled beyond the borders of Kansas. Collins drove a French Bulldog to Garden City to meet a purebred French Bulldog rescue group. The bulldog group transported the dog onto an adoptive family in Minnesota. Collins said the bulldog's story is just one of the many success stories.

The organization also makes trips to Colby, Kan., to meet with Colorado Animal Rescue Express (C.A.R.E.). C.A.R.E. transports the dogs on to Denver. Collins has reached out to other rescue groups with better resources. In addition to C.A.R.E., the organization teamed up with two other rescue groups in Colorado. Collins and other volunteers make three trips a month to Colorado to drop off dogs. A van has been donated to transport as many as 21 dogs at a time to Colorado.

"A lot of people call us angels,” said Collins. “It is flattering. I have been told, 'you are an angel.' It is a good feeling to know someone is paying attention to all the work we put in.”

Aside from the rescue work, the angels want to be known in Southwest Kansas as advocates for animal rights.

The angels' current mission is to help local community members spay and neuter their pets. The organization has 25 vouchers for low-income pet owners to take to veterinarians for the procedure. Collins asked pet owners to call the organization for more details and to see if they qualify.

"Studies have shown spay and neuter procedures are the most effective way to cut down on the overpopulation,” said Collins.

Future goals of the organization include funding community vaccine clinics, continuing efforts in reducing the overpopulation, working with City of Liberal leaders on dog ordinances, and working with the City of Sublette for obtaining funds for an animal shelter.

The organization is funded by private donations, fundraisers and grants. However, Collins admits many of the angels contribute their own money to purchase care items for the animals. The organization is always in need of puppy pads, kennels, collars, food, leashes, toys, bowls