“Rochelle is a pandemic dog,” says Barbara Foss of the WAG rescue. “She came in during the middle of the pandemic, like so many others.
Rochelle is a chocolate Labrador retriever mix. She weighs in at 50 pounds and is two years old. With stubby legs, Rochelle is built low to the ground.
Rochelle was rescued from the Lockhart animal shelter. She has been at the Wimberley Adoption Group & Rescue facility since July 15. That’s a long time.
“We’re really having a hard time getting her adopted,” says Barbara. “She’s very people friendly — but has trouble with other dogs. She just needs to go to that special home.”
The on-going pandemic has led to some ups and downs at WAG. Rochelle is only one example.
At first, the dogs “flew” out of WAG and area animal shelters. People were staying at home and wanted companionship. Then, as the pandemic dragged on, the dogs started to reappear at the local shelters. People got jobs. They moved. Whatever the changing circumstances, the dogs often found themselves once more without a home.
Before the pandemic, WAG got 35-45 percent of their dogs from local animal shelters. Then the virus hit and that number jumped to 65 percent. These days, about 55 percent of WAG’s dogs are from shelters. The rest are strays or have been surrendered by their owners.
Filled up
Whatever the reasons, WAG is operating at full capacity. When one dog finds a home, there’s a replacement waiting in the wings.
Local shelters — WAG works with seven of them — have to take any dog that shows up on their doorstep. When they get too many they call WAG.
WAG has a solid record of placing dogs. At a shelter, a prospective owner basically comes in, points to a dog and takes it home. The dogs at WAG have been spayed or neutered, the volunteers have worked with the dogs and observed their idiosyncrasies, and vets have checked them out.
“People adopt our dogs from all over,” explains Barbara. “We get a lot of people from Austin. I think they just like our system. We don’t even post our dogs (on the webpage) until they have been here a week.”
Right now, WAG is full. That works out to 35-45 dogs. Most stay at the WAG refuge, but some are farmed out to foster homes. “Fosters are a life saver,” says Barbara.
There are 16 outdoor pens for the larger and medium sized dogs, and the little guys are housed inside. When it’s cold or a storm hits all the dogs are moved inside.
WAG has 15 or so foster homes, but not all are active at the same time. Currently, there are seven dogs in foster care.
WAG isn’t picky about the dogs it takes. Those in need get first priority. All breeds and sizes are treated equally.
“Little dogs move more quickly here,” says Barbara. “This is Wimberley and everyone likes small dogs. Labs and Huskies are popular as are hounds and Great Pyrenees. “We call everything here a mix,” Barbara points out.
Claire has the dubious honor of being the veteran WAG resident. She’s been around since June of 2020. Claire is a three-year-old boxer mix who loves long walks, riding in the car and cuddling on the couch. She knows basic commands.
“There’s nothing wrong with Claire. She’s the sweetest thing on the face of the planet. She’s just a doll,” says Barbara.
Bella is a newbie
A six-pound Chihuahua, Bella has only been at WAG a week. She has been spayed and is still recovering from the operation. Bella’s still a little leery of her new surroundings and the folks now taking care of her. When first introduced to people she shivers a little — a trait common to Chihuahuas.
Bella is a senior, seven or eight years old. Barbara suspects she may have been used as a breeding dog and was given up by her owner.
“We’re the next best thing to a home for these dogs,” says Barbara. “We do all we can for them. They don’t lack for anything.”
Then she adds: “As hard as we try it’s not a home here. That’s what we want for all of them — a home.”
The first stop a WAG rescue dog makes is at the vet. The thing they fear most at the refuge is an outbreak of distemper, a viral disease that attacks a dog’s respiratory, digestive and nervous system, or parvo, another contagious potentially fatal virus that settles in the stomach and intestines.
WAG often takes in dogs with heartworm, a parasitic worm that causes lung and heart damage. Heartworm is treatable, but costs WAG $600-$1,000 per dog as well as three or four months of quiet time. In addition, many of the dogs with heartworm have other health issues.
Recognizing the need, area veterinarians often treat WAG dogs. “All of our local vets give us a break. They help out as best they can,” says Barbara. “We love our vets.”
Need money, people
WAG has two big needs: donations and volunteers.
WAG operates the Treasures on Twelve resale/ thrift store near the Wimberley Square. Proceeds from the shop go directly to the dogs. Volunteers from WAG work the snack bars and parking lots of Market Days, then get a donation from the Lion’s Club based on their hours served. Local organizations — such as the Wimberley Community Civic Club — also give grants and, as Barbara points out, “Our donation base is all the dog lovers in the community.”
The adoption fee for a dog is $185. Senior dogs are a little less; puppies a little more.
WAG can also use more volunteers. “You can do as much or as little as you want. You can come in once a month if you like,” Barbara says.
The volunteers can work in the thrift store, clean up around the shelter or simply exercise the dogs. Each dog gets an hour or two of supervised play out of the pen, running and chasing balls.
There’s a need for more foster homes — especially for medium and large dogs.
Barbara says about 95 percent of the volunteers are women. They would love to have more men volunteer. “A lot of these dogs haven’t been around men,” she explains.
The WAG website — www.wimberleywagrescue. org — has all the information: how to volunteer, which dogs are available and the process for adopting.
Rochelle, Bella and Claire — among others — are waiting to hear from you.
