Helping Abandoned Animals on the Navajo Nation and Surrounding Areas
http://gooddogrezq.petfinder.org

Good Dog Rez-Q is about fostering an attitude of service to the animals on the Navajo Reservation, adjacent lands or anywhere animals are found to be in need of assistance. We also offer service and guidance to our foster homes, volunteers and the community, encouraging people to rescue and foster and providing a place to turn to for encouragement and help.

We started Good Dog Rez-Q in July of 2013 when we saw a need for a new humane rescue that would focus not just on the Navajo Nation but in the rural pockets that surround our tribal areas. As we have seen a downturn in the economy, there has been a surge in the numbers of stray pups, kittens, pregnant dogs and injured animals in our rural communities. Good Dog Rez-Q volunteers specialize in foster homes, believing that proper socialization is the key to adoptable pets. While in foster care the animals receive vaccinations, are vet - checked and spayed/neutered prior to adoption. Our foster homes have years of experience with animal health and behavior. When they feel an animal is ready for adoption, ads are placed on Petfinder and other rescue sites. We have an extensive application for adoption and a home visit is one of our priorities when deciding on an adopter.

Our goals include: Networking with other rescue groups in the area, providing alternate avenues of rescue and foster care. We would like to recruit volunteers who can drive animals from depressed areas to towns who have a shortage of puppies. We are always seeking low-cost spay/neuter clinics and Veterinarians who will help our cause. We will be teaching all willing volunteers to vaccinate and be familiar with basic animal first-aid. Our foster homes are the backbone of Good Dog Rez-Q and we place emphasis on close communication between all volunteers and the GDR board members. All foster homes and volunteers are valued, whether they can rescue 1 or 10 or transport or help with vaccinations, etc. Also, Board Members are also volunteers and provide foster care as well. Humane education for children of all ages is the best way to make changes. Our volunteers strive to teach by example (vaccinating their own and their neighbor's pets, spay/neutering their own pets, assisting neighbors with shelter, food and water when our group has a surplus.) Rather than lecture, we provide examples of compassion and kindness.

Our Mission Statement: "Good Dog Rez-Q is about fostering an attitude of service to the animals on the Navajo Reservation, adjacent lands or anywhere animals are found to be in need of assistance. We also offer service and guidance to our foster homes, volunteers and the community, encouraging people to rescue and foster and providing a place to turn to for encouragement and help."

Our objectives are: to rescue as many stray dogs and cats as our resources will allow and to bring them to a state of health for adoption; encourage and educate the community on the importance of immunizations and spay/neuter surgery for their pets; educate the community on the proper care and training of their pets.

Our group is entirely composed of volunteers and foster homes. All of our rescued animals are spayed/neutered by local veterinarians. We are always seeking more foster homes.