Interview with Saving Georgia Dogs
With: Suzy Bailey, Director
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Lisa Selvaggio: First off, I want to thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview. Most of our readers probably have never heard of your non-profit organization. Can you tell us about Saving Georgia Dogs and how it all began? What's its mission, how long has it been around, how many locations do you operate, etc.?
Suzy Bailey: Thank you for letting me spread awareness about shelter dogs! Yes, Saving Georgia Dogs began in July 2006. There was a forum called the Nola Board and people were able to go there to help with the animals and help spread the word on lost pets etc. I stumbled onto it because I was dying to help in some way. From there I slowly met people across the county that wanted to help as well. In doing so, we discovered Georgia from posts about dogs and that they still used the gas chamber as a means of euthanasia. I was horrified. I really had no idea that any state still used them. I was living in California at the time and rescued my first dog from Spalding County. I had no idea what I was going to do with this dog, but found a boarder nearby that helped me save him. From there I started to get onto email groups where the focus was helping Georgia's animals. I then started a forum and founded this rescue. I have now relocated to Georgia to be hands-on.
LS: What were you doing before starting up the shelter in order to gain experience and knowledge about the world of animal shelters?
SB: I was a member of Best Friends, HSUS, Pasados. I knew I wanted to help animals and when I found out how many were killed in Georgia that was all I needed to start helping.
LS: How did you start up your shelter? What difficulties did you have to overcome, especially when it came to getting it off the ground?
SB: It was hard. I had to apply for a Georgia rescue license and then get our 501c3 which takes anywhere from 4-6 months. Running a rescue and non-profit takes a lot of work. You must maintain records on all animals, find help with pulling, boarding, vetting, etc. It's much harder then people think. The forum really helps, as it's a way to help raise funds, post for urgent dogs, etc. We have wonderful people from all over the world that are members.
LS: For others like you who want to help companion animals find homes and who want to save as many animals as possible from euthanasia in kill shelters, what advice can you give? How does one go about getting the funding, materials, expertise, etc. to effectively run a shelter?
SB: I would volunteer at your local rescue organization that you have checked out and see what you can do to help. This will prepare you for starting your own. As I said, it's hard work. The kill rates at some shelters are upwards of 95 percent. I really believe it's a secret that most people have no idea about.
LS: Being that you run a non-profit organization, I imagine that it doesn't pay the bills. Do you have a day job as well? If so, how do you juggle it all?
SB: Yes, I did until I moved here to Georgia. Rescue is so expensive and for me I had to work and will have to again soon! It is very hard because the rescue is very demanding and dogs are dying daily so it's not something that is just 9 to 5. Animals are constantly urgent and there are days we are up all hours of the night trying to find a way to help them.
LS: For those unaware of it, please explain the inhumane method of gassing animals to kill them in overpopulated shelters.
SB: Many states still use the gas chamber to kill animals. They are basically placed in a "metal box" and gas is piped in (carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide are the two main ones). These animals are deprived of oxygen while breathing in the toxic gas and slowly die. In most instances they die a painful death.
LS: How often can you rescue animals from kill shelters? Does the cost of adopting these animals hinder you even when you have the room for them?
SB: We pull dogs weekly usually. It depends on space at our boarding kennels. We have several we use. We try and focus on gassing shelters and pull the next urgent dog. Cost is the hard part. Each dog is very expensive to pull, board, vet then transport where he/she needs to go. For anyone not familiar with rescue, the cost is pretty staggering. If the animal has any medical issues, that is an extra cost that can run into the hundreds (like heartworm for instance).
LS: Are you able to find homes for every animal you rescue? What do you do if an animal has difficulty finding a permanent home for a long period of time?
SB: Yes we do. We work with wonderful no-kill rescue shelters in the northeast where overpopulation is not an issue. They work hard to adopt our dogs to wonderful prescreened homes. Normally, the only reason a dog would not find a home quickly is due to a medical condition which would be treated; then they would be able to go into a great home.
LS: Do you find that even puppies are on death row in shelters, even though they have the most chance of being adopted? Typically, how long does an animal have in a shelter before getting euthanized?
SB: Yes! There is an unreal amount of puppies in shelters. Every breed that you can name you will find in shelters. It's very, very sad. Each shelter's holding time is different, but normally it's 3-7 days before they are euthanized.
LS: How can people help you with your shelter? Do you accept monetary and material donations, volunteers, etc.?
SB: First off, people can help by spreading the word about shelter animals. Their plight is very sad. Millions die every year. Saving Georgia Dogs is always in need of fosters, volunteers, etc. We do rely on sponsorship for the animals and take monetary donations as well as material donations. Dog houses, food, leashes, etc. are always in need!
LS: Is there anything you would like to add that wasn't mentioned in the interview?
SB: Just to thank you again for the opportunity to bring more awareness to the plight of shelter animals in Georgia. If people would spay and neuter their animals, and adopt a shelter animal and not buy from breeders it could make a huge difference. There is a wonderful saying, "Don't buy while shelter animals die." These animals need us; we are their only hope!