UPDATE 7/15/03 on the Montana Collies
Statement by AWCA President Jean Levitt, reporting from Camp Collie, Great Falls, MT
*Permission to crosspost*
Adoption
We are finding wonderful homes for the Montana collies. This has been the dream we all have worked toward since Halloween. It has been very hot in Montana, which makes it very difficult to ship dogs. Therefore, we are still looking for adopters who are able to come to Camp Collie to select a collie and escort it home in an air-conditioned vehicle.
Spay/Neuter
The spay/neuter process is nearly completed. A Montana collie-in-waiting will be ready to go home with you providing you have successfully completed the application process. To all who have requested application forms, you may fax your completed forms to save time: fax (406) 727-3935, Attention Rev Oakes, Montana Collie Adoption Team. Include the names, date of birth, and social security numbers of all adults living in your household for Toole County Sheriff’s Office criminal background checks.
Because of the heat, and the resulting shipping difficulties, we are extending the deadline to receive completed applications to July 20. It will be necessary to pick up your collie in Great Falls by Aug. 1. The building must be cleaned out and sanitized before Aug. 15.
Adopters’ Reports
We are seeing many smiling adopters daily as they continue to volunteer at Camp Collie. Happily, they report good toileting manners. There is much hugging and crying as the collies leave Camp Collie for their new homes. Another Vietnam veteran and his friend chose a collie on Saturday. They crouched in the pen with a very cautious, fearful collie boy, crooning and reassuring him. After much coaxing, the collie took a long walk outside with this dear man and his friend. I walked with them for a time. There is no doubt in my mind this dog will have a wonderful life on a Montana farm with these good people. As they were leaving, this dear man gave me a huge hug and we both cried openly. They were tears of sadness for what the collies had experienced before they were rescued and tears of joy and happiness for his bright future, which began at that moment.
We are looking for special, experienced collie people to adopt or foster and rehabilitate special-needs collies. If you are such a person, contact Jean Levitt in Montana, (406) 727-7788 and AWCA Secretary Judy Cummings, jccollie@worldnet.att.net.
AWCA has in place a support system to help adopters of these collies with issues ranging from behavior and training to grief support. We have established a closed email list, CollieHelp, for adopters who wish to discuss privately issues and concerns regarding their Montana collies. AWCA specialists will provide training and behavioral support. Eventually the scope of this list may be broadened to include adopters of any rescued collie anywhere. Our trainers have prepared literature for the adopters on training tips, book lists, websites, and AWCA support services. Collie veterinarians Dr. Nancy Kelso, Dr. Cindy Bossart, and Dr. Sharon Vanderlip have prepared medical precaution literature for the adopters.
As each collie leaves Camp Collie with its adopter, a gift bag goes with it containing: a travel kit and bag of food provided by Hills Science Diet, Care of Your Collie brochure provided by the Collie Health Foundation, a copy of the AWCA Collie Connection featuring the Montana collies and articles on “rescue collies with jobs,” AWCA Montana collie adoption support literature on training and medical precautions, a beautiful issue of Collie Expressions magazine.
Of course, the collies wear their Premier martingale collars to their new homes, and may take with them their favorite toy. Your blankets line their crates in the back of vehicles as they are driven one by one to their new homes.
Camp Collies bills still must be paid. Therefore, we continue to appreciate your financial help.
The AWCA Adoption Team looks forward to receiving your completed applications.
A collie is waiting for you!
Calmly,
Jean Levitt, President AWCA
Lisa King, Director of AWCA Rescue
and the Officers and Members of AWCA
PLEASE help us help Toole County Sheriffs Office to pay for Camp Collie until all animals are on their way to loving homes.
AWCA Rescue
Bethany Burke, AWCA Treasurer
2807 Lee Trevino Ct.
Shalimar, FL 32579
and especially
Toole County Community Collie Rescue Fund
First State Bank of Shelby
260 Main St.
Shelby, MT 59474