causes & news

This urgent story came from a Care2 member.

For most of their lives, the only home Ginger and Louie have known is the four-acre sanctuary at Pet Rescue, Inc. in Miami.  But now time is running out for this senior couple as their refuge is being forced to close its doors. 

Like so many animal rescue groups, Pet Rescue Miami has been hit hard by the bad economy and donations have dried up.  So after 27 years, the animals at the sanctuary must find a new home by November 1st.  

Volunteer Kathy Cremer is especially worried about Ginger and Louie and desperately hopes they will find a home together before the deadline.  She sent out a mass e-mail to the animal rescue world that read, “I have one more pair that I need help with, and this will be the biggest challenge, ever.”

You see, Ginger who is 13-years-old and her best buddy Louie who is 12-years-old have a special bond with each other.  They have been inseparable since Ginger lost her front leg to cancer 5 years ago. That’s when the duo began sharing the same kennel at night to keep each other company.

Both dogs have lived at Pet Rescue Miami since they were puppies and have watched hundreds of dogs get adopted, while they have been overlooked.  Ginger is a Pointer-terrier mix and Louie is 70 lb. Shepherd mix.  Both dogs are in relatively good health – considering their age. 

Cremer had this to say about them, “You would think a dog with three legs would be at a disadvantage, but not Ginger.  You should see her dig.  And Louie is a big kisser that thinks he is a lap dog. They both love to walk on their leashes and when Ginger can’t keep up with Louie, she just lies down and rolls over until he comes back.”

Cremer hopes the two dogs will find a home together and can spend the rest of their lives as a couple. She encourages anyone who is interested to complete the online application form.  Even out of state adoptions will be considered. 

In addition to Ginger and Louie, there are nine other dogs also waiting to be adopted along with about a dozen cats.

Pet Rescue, Inc. was founded in 1982 by tennis pro Gardnar Mulloy who mortgaged his home to buy the four-acre property that he turned into a sanctuary for homeless pets. 

When the current board of directors sought a solution for their recent money problems they decided to merge with the Humane Society of Greater Miami.  This merger is what is causing problems for dogs like Ginger and Louie.  The Humane Society is an “adoption center” rather than a “sanctuary” and therefore only accepts adoptable animals. 

This means pets with disabilities, or older pets or even cats and dogs with quirky personality traits will not be accepted.  The Humane Society said they will ship these pets to sanctuaries in other states, but volunteers are worried how older dogs like Ginger and Louie will adjust.

Ideally Pet Rescue would like the Humane Society to keep the sanctuary doors open, but it doesn’t appear that this will happen.  So for the next 10 days volunteers are putting out a nationwide call for help trying to adopt the remaining unique, but loving pets before they must close their doors.

Read more: animal welfare, homeless pets, pet rescue miami, sanctuary closing miami