The holidays are nearly upon us! For many this can be a great time to celebrate gratitude for your family and share the joy with others. Because this is such wonderful time of giving, it is important to make sure we don’t forget about animal rescues who often have a harder time during this period when adoption rates slow and rescue dogs are desperate for their forever home (or even a foster family). That’s why for the first 12 days of December, we will be featuring a different animal rescue each day, sharing how they started, and what they could use most during the holiday season.
Fifth up is Waggytail in New York City. It all began in 2004 when founder Holly DeRito showed up at NYCACC looking for a buddy for her dog. A staff member took her into the back where all the dogs that were going to be euthanized the next day were. The dogs the public didn’t see. That night, she went home with seven dogs. From there, Holly began building her own rescue and network through housing these dogs among friends and family. After a few years, ACC had seen a huge improvement, so Holly expanded to transports with the help of some rescue friends.
Waggytail Rescue now has partners in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, San Diego, Florida, and even Tijuana Mexico. Their team now currently includes 12 women who volunteer their time after work and sometimes during work to help find these animals home. Each Waggytail team member brings different skill sets to the rescue with one common goal- to find the right home for each animal.
In 2022 Waggytail has adopted out 441 animals & 61 still remain in foster care. They have helped 36 owner surrenders, 148 ACC Shelter pulls, and 37 seniors get adopted!
Interested in adopting this holiday season?
Waggytail has so many wonderful dogs looking for homes this holiday season, particularly these ones who have been with them for a little while:
Crema: Crema is a sweet little old man who is looking for his forever home! He would like nothing more than to sit next to you, all day, showering you with kisses, cuddled up next to you. He will follow you as if he were your shadow, booping you with his little wet nose, never very far behind. Crema is blind, and will rely on you to show him the way. He loves to explore and sometimes can get to places he doesn’t know how to get out of, and will require a bit of assistance. For example, sometimes he’ll get up on a step, but doesn’t know how to get down. He is very trusting and very sweet, he hasn’t met anyone he hasn’t liked. Crema is an approximately 12-15 year old, 10 lb chihuahua mix, and he was found as a stray. He is on his way to becoming house trained, and wears a belly band at home sometimes.
JJ is a very handsome and charming 5 yo male chihuahua mix with a sweet and playful disposition. He feels most comfortable snuggling on the couch. He is very independent and happy on his own, occasionally requesting some TLC (he’ll sidle up to you and he especially loves kisses and belly rubs). JJ also loves long walks. He rarely slows down when out on the town smelling all the smells. He is always cautious with strangers and can be socially awkward meeting and playing with humans and other animals. With proper love and encouragement he will very likely flourish. JJ does have boundaries and will need a home with an owner who can respect his solitude when he’s not asking for your attention. Someone who can work with him on trust, safety, encouragement, love and security.
JJ loves his small circle but doesn’t have a desire to be a “socialite”. He is happy to explore new places outside and isn’t nervous of new sounds/settings when outdoors. He is a big wilderness explorer. He enjoys long walks or running in fields with other dogs or with his owners. He likes his personal space, he will approach you when he wants to interact. It is important to respect that boundary. He loves to play with his owners with toys. His favorite play usually includes him being mouthy on your hands and this is his normal way of showing love and affection. He enjoys chasing other dogs outside, this is his typical way of interacting with them. He likes being a running buddy outside and keeps up quite well. He is adaptable to your lifestyle whether that includes time spent quietly inside or being active together outside.
Mimi is a 7-year-old, 9-pound female chihuahua from the NYCACC. Mimi is a sweet, quiet, and royal pup who follows you everywhere. She is a complete lap dog who wants to be held or be on your lap. She is not so much interested in the other dogs in her foster home and does not bother them either. Mimi will demand your attention sometimes and she will let you know clearly with her cute woof! Otherwise she sleeps all day long.
Mimi is wee wee pad trained and house trained. She loves to go outside and explore. She can sometimes be reactive towards other dogs on a leash, but is generally a good leash walker. Mimi’s teeth were in very bad shape when she arrived in their care and so their vet needed to remove the last few teeth she had. She eats only wet/can food. Mimi loves to eat and have little smushed soft treats.
Mimi loves to meet other people and sometimes begs others to hold her. She is charming in her own way though she does not see well so sometimes she will bump into you. Lastly, she must sleep with you or she will whine and hover around all night. Once on the bed, she lays down by you like she is attached and sleeps. Mimi is a special girl.
Please contact Waggytail DIRECTLY using the instructions below if you are interested in adopting a Waggytail! Visit their website (www.waggytailrescue.org) for an adoption application. It is important to fill out an application as soon as possible for consideration, since they require a complete application for you to meet an animal.
Other ways to help:
If you can’t adopt, you can always volunteer or donate. You can check out their wishlist here or if you want to foster, you can apply here!
