Staying ‘True Blue' to the animals--Rescue organization inundated with requests to take in pets after TV publicity

By ARTHUR HAHN/Managing Editor, http://www.brenhambanner.com

An animal rescue organization that promises not to euthanize any animals it takes in received new stables and dog kennels, courtesy of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

But it also got something else - a flood of requests from people wanting it to accept their dogs, cats and even horses.

Melanie DeAeth, founder of True Blue Animal Rescue, and her family received a sparkling new home courtesy of the popular “Extreme Makeover” TV program.

In less than a week, a new stable and dog kennels were also built. The show, which aired Jan. 29, played up the DeAeths' efforts to help animals.

But now the cameras are gone, and True Blue volunteers are redoubling their efforts to find homes for dozens of animals.

Diana Bender, a volunteer who serves as True Blue's vice president for public relations, said all the hoopla has been “a blessing and a curse.”

“People think we have this whole big, elaborate facility,” Bender said. “We get calls from everywhere. We get calls and e-mails from Canada now, from all over the (United) States.

“They're telling us congratulations and ‘will you take my pet please.'

“And we get calls every single day from people who have found a momma dog and six to eight puppies.”

True Blue currently has about 40 dogs and 20 horses, including several pregnant mares.

“Our biggest problem now is trying to find homes for the animals,” said Bender. “When we committed to ‘no kill,' we knew we'd have this problem.”

True Blue has a Web site - t-bar.org - that has photos and descriptions of the animals under its care.

No dog or cat is adopted out unless it has been spayed or neutered; True Blue foots the bill for that and also for medical care for the animals.

For example, most of the dogs brought in have heartworms, which are expensive to treat, said Bender.

“Realistically, there are not enough homes for the animals, sad as it is,” she said. “We try to do what we can in Washington and surrounding counties.”

Some of the dogs at True Blue have been there months, awaiting adoption.

The organization prints flyers with pictures and descriptions of dogs.

Like Mary: “Found at Christmas time, Mary gets along with cats, dogs (even little ones), kids and people! A beautiful border collie-mix, she'd love to add some fun to your family!”

“What we need more than anything is to get these animals out before the public,” said Bender.