Almost Home Dog Rescue Saves Pets Lives

A small group of volunteers created Almost Home Dog Rescue to help save dogs from high-kill shelters.

The Doylestown-based rescue places dogs with foster families until they can be adopted. Many of the dogs have been coming from the Carolinas in recent months, according to Ingrid Sofield, a foster parent.

"Due to their lack of spaying and neutering down there, many dogs are in shelters looking for homes," Sofield said. "Otherwise they will meet their ultimate fate, which is a sad one."

By rescuing dogs from high-kill shelters, the volunteers at Almost Home hope to provide an alternative to the purchase of puppy-mill and pet store dogs, and try to match each dog with the best fit family after observing the dog in foster care.

Almost Home holds meet and greets several times a month at the Petsmart in Willow Grove and in Cutter's Mill Natural Pets located in Chalfont, according to Sofield.

"These events help the rescue get the dogs faces to the public and spark interest of potential adopters," she explained. "Potential adopters must come to a meet [and] greet to see the dog and then the foster parent does a home check to see if it is a match for the dog."

Sofield is currently fostering a 10-month-old, hound-mix named Biscotti. The 30-pound puppy arrived from South Carolina on July 31, and Sofield hoped to adopt her. However, the pup's curiosity of Sofield's cats has made that option impossible.

"We believe due to past history which we are unaware of with children, she would be best suited in a home with older, more gentle children in addition to a home without cats," Sofield explained. "Having another doggie companion would be ideal for her. She enjoys the company of other canines."

Sofield has been working with Biscotti on basic commands and socialization, but she will probably require some basic obedience training. She is crate trained (which she uses for quiet time and bedtime) and house trained, too.

Biscotti would fit in best with an active family, according to Sofield, because she is active and enjoys a lot of playtime. Having a fenched in yard for her to run around in, in addition to her daily walks, would be a plus.

After having Biscotti for a month, Sofield said that she is a very affectionate dog. When the foster family is relaxing, Biscotti often enjoys taking naps next to them.

If you're interested in Biscotti, or learning more about Almost Home's other adoptable dogs, visit the organization's PetFinder website or attend an upcoming meet and greet.

Meet and greets are held from noon to 2 p.m. the first Saturday of every month at Cutter's Mill Natural Pets in Chalfont, the second Saturday at PetSmart in Willow Grove, and the third Sunday of every month at Cutter's Mill Natural Pets.