Atascadero dog rescue, Foxy Doxy Dachshund

Posted: Apr 2, 2012 5:31 PM by Kathy Kuretich
Updated: Oct 16, 2012 11:44 AM

When it comes to pet adoptions, rescue groups are often the unsung heroes finding dogs and cats forever homes.
They'll take dogs out of shelters who are over-looked, or considered unadoptable.

"We'll take the broken, we'll take the sick, we'll take the aggressive, we'll take the old," said Stacey Wideman, founder of Foxy Doxy Dachshund Rescue.

She admits, she doesn't live a conventional life.
Her work, rescuing and caring for homeless dogs, begins from the moment she gets up in the morning, until the moment she calls it a night, or at least tries to.
"I never in a million years thought I'd be here. It ties me to the house. This is a 24/7, there is no clock in clock out. I don't get to walk out the door and leave. I laugh sometimes and say, can I rent a hotel room?" Stacey said.

To date, she's found homes for more than 600 dogs in just four years. Dogs like Noey, who came from a shelter in Bakersfield, with a broken left femur, and shattered right hip after being hit by a car. After lots of love from Stacey, $2800 dollars from donors for a vet bill and three casts later, little Noey is ready for a home.
"Even when you were holding his leg and you could feel his shattered leg, he was still wagging his tail. So you knew even though he was hurting, he was still a very good sweet adorable boy," Stacey said.

She does this for animals who need it the most. Like Bianca who was kicked so severely by her previous owners, she needed surgery to repair her broken bones. Now, she's a healthy, although timid cocker spaniel. And Whiley, a dachshund who was burned with battery acid. And King, who needed casts for two broken legs. And Gracie, who started her life neglected in a cage, with a numbered tattoo on her ear.
"She is actually a puppy mill dog from North Carolina. Instead of giving her a name, they gave her a number," she said.

Four years ago, it started with just one dog. But now, Stacey has 30 dogs she cares for in her own home. She says it costs around $5000 dollars a month in bills, but even more emotionally when there's a dog she cannot save.
"It's so heartbreaking, and crazy and stressful, and tiring, and then on the other hand you see a dog like Noey and he would've been killed and he finds a new home and it makes every part of it worth it," said Stacey.

Rescues need to be licensed from the county, and registered as a non-profit.
Foxy Doxy Dachshund's fees run from $100-400 dollars... depending on the dog.
If you're interested in adopting, Stacey is at Petsmart in San Luis Obispo every Saturday. You can also check out their website under the news links section.