CARLSBAD: 'Dog Squad' marks its 100th rescue

Carlsbad nonprofit group saves animals less likely to be adopted

By LEIGH ANN DEWEY - For the North County Times | Sunday, August 17, 2008 5:42 PM PDT ∞

CARLSBAD ---- The Dog Squad, a Carlsbad nonprofit organization that rescues dogs from animal shelters, recently celebrated two milestones, organizers said: The group's first anniversary and the rescue of its 100th canine.

The group was founded in August 2007 by Carolyn Wright and Susan Barbado, volunteers at the county of San Diego's animal shelter in Carlsbad. On Aug. 7, the Dog Squad rescued a Shar-Pei/Labrador mix named Monty from the shelter, marking the 100th pet the group has saved, Barbado said.

Monty has since been named the organization's "Dog of the Year" and is featured on its Web site.

He makes a perfect poster child for the group, which typically rescues dogs that are unwanted because of their age or other factors. Monty has a health condition that could have made him less likely to be adopted by an individual at the shelter, Barbado said. She said the dog has entropian, a genetic condition that causes his eyelids turn inward and lashes to scrape against his eyes.

Monty is now awaiting surgery donated by All Pets Animal Hospital in Encinitas. Aimee Cartwright, a veterinary technician at the hospital, was the person who first found Monty and took him to the Carlsbad shelter.

Cartwright said she saw the dog running with a pack of other dogs near her San Diego home, She said he had cut and injured his paws, and had broken teeth, as if he had dug his way out of somewhere.

"I knew the signs," Cartwright said, "(It was) like he had been confined in a cage."

The Carlsbad shelter accepted Monty, but eventually told Cartwright that it was unlikely he would be adopted. Fearing for his future, she called a number of animal rescue groups, but said the only one that would take Monty was The Dog Squad.

Last week, Monty was placed in a foster home with Encinitas resident Katherine Prelat, until a permanent home can be found. Prelat lost her beloved 13-year-old Labrador retriever in May.

She said she had never heard of The Dog Squad until she met Barbado at a dog park and Barbado encouraged her to consider taking in foster animals.

"I think it's a wonderful concept," Prelat said of the Dog Squad. "(Monty's) had a very rough life and has had to rely on himself. He needs love and attention ---- I'm sure he'll be fine."

Since Monty was rescued, three other dogs have been saved by the group. A female Dalmatian was the 101st rescue, Barbado said.

The Dog Squad works primarily with the Carlsbad shelter, Barbado said, "because that's where we are needed the most. It's the most overwhelmed in the region."

The group works with other animal groups, including the Friends of County Animal Shelters, to place dogs in permanent homes.

"The Dog Squad is awesome," said Laurie Joniaux, deputy director of San Diego County's Department of Animal Services, which manages three county shelters. "We love working with them. They're terrific about taking dogs that wouldn't normally find homes."

The county shelters work with groups that rescue dogs, cats and other animals as well, Joniaux said.

The result has been in an increase in the number of animals taken from the shelter for foster care and adoption. Although most adoptions are to individuals, she said, rescue groups accounted for nearly 20 percent of the dogs leaving the Carlsbad shelter in the last fiscal year, which ended in June.

Rescues are made for many reasons, she said, including health conditions and other special needs of the animals.

"Sometimes (rescue groups are) a last resort when no one wants to adopt (an animal)," Joniaux said.

The Dog Squad will hold an adoption event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 30 at PetSmart, 1034 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas.

In addition, a fundraiser called "The Dog Squad Goes Mod," is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Ocean House in Carlsbad. The event will include a silent auction, and '60s music and attire.

For more information about organization and its upcoming events, go to www.thedogsquadrescue.org or call (760) 804-1400.

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