“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”
— Anais Nin
Wonder Dog Rescue has a long history of rescuing dogs in need. I was introduced to rescue in 1992, when I began assisting Nancy Ford, a long-time Boston and Pug rescuer. Eventually, I formed Bay Area Boston Terrier Rescue, which grew over time and began helping dogs of all sizes, shapes, and breeds. The end result of this 18-year process is Wonder Dog Rescue.
We are an energetic, dedicated group serving the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. We rescue dogs from all over Northern and Central California, including blind and deaf dogs, puppies as young as two weeks old, and seniors as old as 15. We also offer hospice care to special needs and elderly dogs, right up until the end of their lives. Each animal has so much to offer, and we learn so much by opening our hearts to these deserving companions.
After years of running Wonder Dog Rescue from my home, I signed an office lease in February. Our new home base at 650 Fillmore Street (at Hayes) in San Francisco gives us a great new space where we can conduct daily business; hold mobile adoptions, classes, and workshops; and expand our vision of community participation in animal rescue. Our 800 square feet includes an office, kitchen, storage, and studio space, plus a 10×24 foot open area for playful dogs and public gatherings.
Our mission in our new home is to enhance and expand the work of Wonder Dog Rescue by creating an environment of healing and growth for animals and people. We intend to strengthen the human/animal connection by exposing urban youth to dogs and other animals, offering them the chance to develop respect and experience the love and companionship that animals offer to people.
We will also be drawing forth the creative, conscious, and nurturing aspects of people through programs that integrate art and animals.
Some of our specific goals are to:
- Offer training for animal guardians, animal care professionals, dog sitters, walkers, trainers, therapists, and others in homeopathic healing techniques, traditional Asian and Western bodywork therapies, herbal medicine, aromatherapy, and floral essences.
- Reach out to at-risk youth and populations that do not have experience with animals, to give them meaningful opportunities to interact with animals.
- Offer classes and workshops in creative arts, including writing, improvisational theater, drawing/painting, art, and activism. These classes will be free for youth and will happen in an environment where they can begin to meet and interact with dogs. Working with animals fosters an individual’s well-being, while art provides an opportunity for outward expression. Evening classes will be available for adults.
- Offer practical workshops and events such as monthly microchip clinics, as well as workshops for animal rescue groups and/or small non profits in fundraising, marketing, direct mail, and other “how-to” skills.
- Conduct volunteer orientations and outreach to expand the mission of Wonder Dog and animal rescue in general.
- Build a solid network of foster homes, which are the backbone of rescue. We can only rescue dogs from euthanasia if we have a place for them to go. We give our fosterers all the training and supplies they need to succeed, so all it takes is a bit of love and patience. Everyone can make a real difference in this way, so please consider providing a foster home for Wonder Dog Rescue.
We are indebted to many people who have helped us develop and hold this vision, including Louis Cornejo of Starboard Realty, Reed Hilliard, Rafael Lopez, Ramona Mariano, Serena Shapiro Designs, and our core volunteers. Getting 650 Fillmore off the ground has been stressful and trying at times, but equally rewarding. When we were faced with removing carpet and installing a more user-friendly floor for the dogs, one of our adopters stopped by and jumped in to help. That kind of participation, along with a very warm welcome from the neighborhood, shows us that we are on track to succeed in our new home.
Linda Beenau is the founder of Wonder Dog Rescue, now located at 650 Fillmore St. (at Hayes) in San Francisco. For more information, visit www.wonderdogrescue.org.
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