Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS) has kicked off a new program for Rescue Dog Mascots for schools, businesses, organizations, churches, sports teams and clubs, such as Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops. An ODHS Rescue Dog Mascot would be featured with the goal of bringing awareness of dogs that need forever homes. Stafford High School, in Fredericksburg, was the first to name one of the dogs--Desiree, a mixed breed that has been at the facility for nearly two years--as its ODHS Rescue Mascot Dog. Desiree will wear an “adopt me” bandana and other accessories in the schools’ colors and represent the many rescue dogs that are waiting for a home and to promote awareness of ODHS and its mission.
“This is a new program that ODHS has created as a free, fun way for the community to help spread awareness of rescue dogs,” said Chrissy Blake, ODHS founder. “ODHS is a no-kill rescue that takes dogs that are unwanted, surrendered, neglected, mistreated and found in hoarding situations. Its mission is to provide well-matched, permanent homes for animals in need through rescue, rehabilitation and education. What better way to get the word out than having our schools, clubs and businesses throughout the community to help us showcase them.”
Interested groups can visit the ODHS website at https://www.olddominionhumanesociety.org and click on “Our Dogs” to browse through dozens of available dogs to serve as a mascot. The site showcases photos and information about the dogs that are available for adoption. Once a specific dog is chosen, they should contact ODHS at adopt@OldDominionHumaneSociety.org to designate which dog the group chooses as its mascot—to ensure the dog hasn’t already been spoken for by another group.
The ODHS Rescue Dog Mascot program encourages groups to feature the dog in a variety of ways, including:
Introducing the dog through emails, Facebook and social media by posting a picture, description and the fact that the dog is available for adoption.
Post pictures of the dog throughout the building, where it can be seen by the public.
Talk about the dog through the school/group’s announcements, newsletters and newspapers.
Have a drawing/painting competition using the rescue dog as the subject.
Schedule a tour of ODHS with a knowledgeable volunteer by contacting adopt@OldDominionHumaneSociety.org for the group to learn more about the rescue facility, how it’s run entirely by volunteers, the many tasks done to keep the dogs healthy and comfortable while waiting to be adopted, and the programs available to volunteer, foster, join teams (“Puppy Party,” Sunday Cleaning Crew, Sunday Hikes for the community), and more.
Add the ODHS link to information (www.olddominionhumanesociety.org).
Stafford High School has embraced the ODHS Rescue Dog Mascot by featuring Desiree in the high school newspaper and listing “A Dog a Day” with various ODHS dogs on Instagram for the month of March. An art class painted pictures of dogs available for adoption at ODHS, and student Kylie Eadie painted Desiree. Eadie donated the painting to SHS, where it hangs in the busy hallway near the main office.
“There are so many dogs that need homes and foster families, and we strive on a daily basis to place dogs with caring families,” said Blake. “Our organization is entirely volunteer-based, and everyone works hard to nurture the dogs, bring them to events to meet potential adopters, make sure they get exercise with fun activities like our Sunday hikes for the public and keep the kennels and center clean and comfortable for them.”
ODHS celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023, and the nonprofit organization has placed more than 6,500 rescue dogs in forever homes since its inception. With only a few volunteers when it started, ODHS now has 300 dedicated individuals who work together to ensure the dogs are cared for and safe.