Based out of Eugene, Oregon, the team at Northwest Dog Project is devoted to giving deserving dogs a second chance. They rescue pups from all sorts of circumstances and work to educate humans on how to be responsible, committed pet owners. This month we chatted with Kelsey Card, Board Secretary of NWDP, to hear about how the group got started, pointers on dog training, their favorite Insta-dogs, and important summer pet safety tips.
Lulus: So what’s the story of Northwest Dog Project?
Kelsey Card: Long story short, Northwest Dog Project started as a total dream. Our Executive Director Emma was deeply involved in dog rescue and had a senior dog who stole her heart in new ways each day. It was this deep, unconditional, life-affirming bond with her own senior dog, coupled with seeing first-hand the desperate need for more rescue efforts, that the seed was planted. After lots of careful planning and team-building, the day finally came that NWDP was born in 2014.
We rescue, re-home, and enhance the lives of neglected, abused and homeless dogs while advocating responsible pet ownership. We welcome medically-challenged dogs and provide a nurturing forever sanctuary to seniors who have been abandoned in their golden years. We take in dogs who are facing euthanasia (through no fault of their own) into our program until they’re healthy, trained, socialized, and ready for forever homes. We also rescue from high-kill shelters in California and do our best to help local owner-surrendered dogs–provided that the dog meets our intake criteria and space is available.
Lulus: Where do you do all of this?
KC: Our barn-boutique like facility sits on 25 acres of forest land with cabin-like kennels, an outdoor training yard, and hiking trails. It is a truly gorgeous space for decompression, healing, and happiness!
Lulus: It sounds amazing! How many dogs have you placed in their forever homes?
KC: We adopt about 120 dogs out each year. We aim for a quality-over-quantity model in order to be sustainable and give our dogs everything they need and more. We’ve rescued and re-homed more than 600 dogs since our doors opened in 2014.
Lulus: That’s very responsible. What do you love most about rescuing dogs?
KC: So many favorite moments: of course, that moment when the adopter and the pup just click. It can be a true challenge finding the perfect match for our dogs, and that’s precisely what we pride ourselves in doing. When this happens, it is nothing short of magic.
Another favorite would be the excitement of a transport pick up. Picking up new dogs is rough, it’s often a middle-of-the-night scenario and can be very stressful. But the moment those dogs make their way into our arms for the first time–that is a powerful, beautiful moment that just melts all the physical stress away in an instant. This marks the beginning of a special journey for them and us every time.
KC: What should someone know before adopting?
There is a wild myth out there that rescue dogs are somehow inferior or have inherent behavioral issues. This couldn’t be further from the truth…Bred dogs, an industry we do not condone in any way, do not come with some guarantee on perfect behavior and health. No dog does. It’s important for all dog owners to understand this…Owning a dog is hard work and a serious lifetime commitment. Before folks adopt, we wish people would think long and hard about whether or not they’re willing to commit to a new animal as if it were a child. This is why we like to test out our adoptions with a foster to adopt period, and also why we have such an intense adoption application process.
Lulus: Your group is based out of Oregon–how can other dog lovers help in their own neighborhoods?
There are so many ways to help animals in your community. Whether it’s as simple as modeling great dog ownership to all your neighbors or starting or joining a spay/neuter program for stray cats, getting involved on some level is critical and rewarding. Some easy ideas: start or join an on-leash dog walking group and encourage folks to join you, start or join a pet resource Facebook page for your community, donate to your local shelter or animal rescue, donate dog food, toys or bedding to local pets and people without housing, etc.
Rescue happens because people give up on their animals for a number of reasons. We want to prevent that from even happening in the first place. For example, if you know of a dog/dog owner struggling in your community, be the person that can offer resources for local trainers, low-income vet care, etc. Become an involved, community toolbox in any way you can.
Lulus: This work can be heavy: What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you in rescue?
KC: I would have to say one of the funniest things that I’ve seen (or been a part of) out at NWDP is trying to clean up poop or puppy pads in a room full of rambunctious rescue puppies. Just do the math. Hilarious and impossible. It is the picture of pure comedy.
Lulus: Speaking of, do you have any helpful puppy/dog training tips?
KC: We like to emphasize that the transition between rescue and forever home is crucial–fragile, really. It takes patience, education, and loving iterations on what works and doesn’t work when it comes to acclimating and setting boundaries (for both pup and people) in the new environment. It can truly make or break the match you hope was made in heaven. These are some of our top tips for transitioning but also tips to keep things healthy for life:
- Keep things calm and patient.
- Crate train.
- Establish a routine.
- Give pup massages.
- Exercise by walking, jogging, agility training, etc.
- Have lots of playtime.
- Play some relaxing tunes.
- Safely socialize in all settings with different people, places and animals.
- Enlist your veterinarian or local trainer when this stuff doesn’t seem to cut it.
A couple (and there are many!) online resources we like are @decodingdogsla and @steffenbaldwin
Lulus: With warm weather here, do you have any tips for how to keep pets cool in summer? And safe?
KC: Yes! These are a few of our top summer pet safety tips:
- Be mindful of when you’re walkin’ or ballin’ or playin’. If you live in a hot summer spot, you’ll find early mornings and evenings will be best for getting out and about. You can go touch the pavement for a good test too. If it’s even a little too hot, better not.
- Prepare for the 4th of July! Especially if you have a newer rescue pup, the fourth can be a scary time for animals. Shelters fill up because pets get spooked and scurry. At the least, make sure your pet is confined safely indoors and has everything it needs to feel comfy (crates, blankets, thunder shirt, Kong, etc.). Best case scenario? Keep the party at home and snuggle.
- Pay extra special attention to the water bowl this time of year. Your dog will likely be lapping it up more often.
- Make sure you’ve got lots of shade in the yard and at parks (to keep dogs cool outside). If not, monitor your pup and bring them inside for rest and water.
- Of course, never EVER leave your dog in a hot car. Don’t leave them in the car even on a warm day. Many people do not understand how dangerous this can become–nor how fast. Even on a 70-degree day your car can heat up to 103 degrees in mere minutes. Leave your friend at home if you can’t take them out of the car with you. Period.
Lulus: Amen! Do you have any favorite Insta-famous dogs to follow?
We are a little biased but we love @lilouthebulldog, @heydognicevan, and @fortheloveofsmiley.
Lulus: Anything else interesting or fun you want us to know?
We are starting a Patreon program for our rescue friends who want to stay connected to Northwest Dog Project in a more intimate, behind-the-scenes sort of way. I would say stay tuned for that launching and please support us in any way you can!
Have questions for the NWDP team about dog training, summer pet safety tips, or something else? Ask in the comments!
(Images via Northwest Dog Project)
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