Thanks, volunteers: From rescuers to vets and groomers, many saved dogs

It takes a whole lot of volunteers to accomplish an operation like last Friday's rescue of more than 300 dogs from a local alleged puppy mill.

In addition to the expense the county undertook with regard to personnel and other resources, people from all over the country put aside their own lives for a weekend -- and in some cases more -- to help with the rehabilitation efforts.

And still more people will donate their time and love as foster parents until the puppies and dogs are able to be placed into new homes.

Although many of the supplies and other expenses, along with some of the investigation costs, have been fronted by a couple of national charities, the volunteers who have been grooming, training, playing and loving for the past few days spent money of their own -- and precious time away from their families -- to help out.

And that is a gift that should be acknowledged.

There are many people locally and nationally who work for rescue groups and dedicate at least a portion of their lives to taking care of animals that have been abused and neglected.

They don't do it for the money or the recognition. They do it because of the stories and families that are created from their work.

There will be many good stories that will come from this rescue -- and soon many of the dogs will be happily prancing in their new homes.

And for that, those volunteers deserve our thanks.

Published in Editorials on February 11, 2009 11:30 AM