College Student Makes A BIG Difference In Animal Rescue
by Dogasaur on February 8, 2010
By Jennifer Nicole Cox, Author, Dog Lover and Dogasaur Blogger
Alyssa Tramont (22), of Columbus, Ohio, always knew she wanted to work with animals. A Zoology studentat Ohio State University, Alyssa has gotten involved with public education for wild animals and dogs by working as an educator at the Columbus Zoo, and as a dog trainer at a local PetSmart.
After moving into her first place, Alyssa knew she couldn’t live there without a dog. Quickly, she adopted one from a rescue group. There at the pound where the dog initially lived, the conditions were horrible. Alyssa couldn’t forget seeing animals sitting on cold concrete and dying because there was no room for them all. It was then she decided she would do everything she could to help.
To get started, Alyssa took several hundred dollars from her college scholarship money to start her individual efforts in order to pay for medical work, gas for her car, and pound pull fees. Every time a dog gets adopted, the money is recycled into the next dog. Luckily, since Alyssa has been on her own, the money has recycled nicely, despite her having to pay for the cost of food every week. In the beginning, a few dogs she rescued needed expensive surgeries. Unfortunately, the group she was with had to be responsible for the expenses when she couldn’t raise the entire amount herself, having pulled the dogs from the pound without knowing their conditions and was unwilling to put them down. Those dogs, including the 60+ others she has rescued on her own, have found wonderful homes. Because of the financial strain on the group, Alyssa began working on her own with only the funds she could gather herself.
Since Alyssa wanted to be in charge of choosing the dogs to rescue and re-homing them personally, her move to independent rescue wasn’t as devastating as some might think. However, there are some difficulties such as fundraising efforts and getting publicity for her rescued dogs.
At this time, Alyssa pulls dogs from a few rural pounds when she has the room in her home. She pays for all of their costs with the scholarship money that she has set aside and adopts them out only to thoroughly interviewed homes. All of the dogs are of course spayed or neutered. Bob Barker would be very proud!
Alyssa posts her rescue dogs on the Columbus Dog Connection website, headed by Kellie DiFrischia. Columbus Dog Connection is a strong force in rescue, doing everything from lobbying for legislation changes about dogs, to providing website space for people that want to help by rescuing dogs.
To learn more about Columbus Dog Connection, please visit their website:
www.columbusdogconnection.com
Alyssa is a student that’s doing all of this on her own and should really be commended. Occassionally, friends and previous adopters will donate useful items or money to help her out, which is a huge blessing! For the most part, she relies heavily on adoption fee returns and her scholarship money, which will sadly be running out soon because of her upcoming graduation in June. After graduation, Alyssa plans to apply for non-profit status so she can continue her great work.
If you live in the Columbus or Aurora area (East of Cleveland) and would like to help Alyssa out, she’s always looking for foster homes. She’s limited to the number of animals she can keep and the more people that are willing to feed and watch a foster dog, the more dogs will be saved. Monetary donations are always useful and can be used for anything from medical expenses to costly transport.
You could also sponsor a dog. This is accomplished by placing a donation on a particular dog at the pound to be awarded to the rescue that takes the dog. This helps the rescues that need a little cash to get the dog veterinary care. It’s also a way for someone to help a dog that really tugs at their heartstrings without having to actually take the animals themselves.
Alyssa: “When I adopt a dog to a family, the statement I usually get is, ‘We love him/her so much and just can’t understand why anyone would abandon such a great family member.’ What I wish people knew is that there is a stigma against dogs at the pound. People seem to think that they must be there because they’re bad dogs, but they couldn’t be further from the truth. I pull 100% of my dogs from pounds where the general public can adopt, but don’t and the dogs have to be put down due to the lack of space. There are certainly difficult dogs, but the majority end up at the pound due to negligent owners, or owners that simply weren’t the right fit. Take the time to search for a dog that’s in danger at the pound. Like those who have adopted from me, you’ll find that they’re diamonds in the rough.”
Alyssa is such a great person to be doing this while continuing her college education. These animals are so lucky to have her working on their behalf. Thanks so much Alyssa for your rescue efforts and keep up the great work!
If you’d like to help Alyssa, whether it’s donations, fostering a dog, or sponsoring a dog, you may contact her at: alyssa.tramont@yahoo.com.
Jennifer Nicole Cox
Author of 500 Things That Make Dogs Happy
This guide to everything that makes a dog happy is required and inspired reading for anyone who has ever been, is now or ever will be owned by a dog.
Website: www.500thingsthatmakedogshappy.com
Purchase your copy here: http://www.dogasaur.com/store/products/500-things-that-make-dogs-happy-by-jennifer-nicole-cox-200.html
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