KYLE, SD (July 11, 2013) – RedRover®, a California-based nonprofit organization, is returning to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to relocate dogs that reside on the land in a lifesaving effort to address domestic animal overpopulation on the Reservation. Through an innovative relocation program by The Lakota Animal Care Project, a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, RedRover Responders volunteers will provide vaccinations and treatment for dogs and puppies who will be transported to partner no-kill animal shelters where the dogs will find new homes.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Lakota Animal Care in the effort to help these dogs,” says Nicole Forsyth, RedRover President and CEO. “This project would not have been possible without the commitment of the Oglala Sioux Tribe to find a humane solution to address animal overpopulation on the Reservation.”
RedRover Responders volunteers first deployed to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to assist Lakota Animal Care in June 2013 and facilitated the sheltering and administration of basic veterinary care for 27 dogs and puppies. Many of the dogs already have new homes, including a nine-month-old puppy named Sneakers.
“Sneakers was very shy at first when I met her,” said Wendy Duncan, a RedRover Responders volunteer. Sneakers was nervous but very friendly when first brought to the temporary shelter. “But she let us pet her, and really came out of her shell during the time we spent with her.” Shortly after being transported to a partnering shelter, Sneakers was adopted by a new family who renamed her Lola.
RedRover Responders volunteers will be returning on Monday to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to supply approximately 20 puppies and 10 adult dogs with the lifesaving care protocols that have been outlined by the partnership between RedRover, Lakota Animal Care and the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Along with administering medication and basic preventative health care, RedRover Responders volunteers will provide socialization to the group of canines.
Distinguished by their red shirts, RedRover Responders volunteers are specially trained to care for large numbers of animals. RedRover Responders volunteers provide manpower, free of charge, which enables local agencies to care for animals in crisis. RedRover volunteers take time off work and travel at their own expense to help animals in need.
“Many of these animals are very young,” says Beth Gammie, RedRover Emergency Services Manager. “Most of the dogs that we will be interacting with on this deployment are under four months old. This gives them a great chance at adoption and adjusting to life with a new family. It just goes to show how positive this partnership is for the animals and everyone involved.”
About RedRover
Founded in 1987, RedRover focuses on bringing animals out of crisis and strengthening the bond between people and animals through emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance and education. Learn more at RedRover.org.
About The Lakota Animal Care Project
Lakota Animal Care is a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides basic animal health care for dogs, cats and horses on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Tribal members from communities around this vast reservation are trained as “Lakota Animal Care Givers” to improve the wellbeing of all our relations. Lakota Animal Care also has a spay/neuter program, a program to enhance awareness and compassion for animals and a relocation program to take dogs in need of new homes to adopting shelters., . Learn more at www.LakotaAnimalCare.org.
Media contact
Leili Khalessi
RedRover Communications Manager
lkhalessi@redrover.org
916.429.2457 ext. 314