Each day, as we approach Thanksgiving, we will spotlight an animal rescuer who works tirelessly to improve the lives of animals in need. Please join us in giving thanks to these generous, kind, and oh so pawesome folks.

When I moved back to the East Coast after spending two years in San Francisco, I decided I wanted to get involved in dog rescue in some way. I searched for local rescue groups and found Annapolis Dog Rescue. I “liked” their facebook page and a few months later they posted a picture of a little dog with a sweet face, a sad story and heartworm. She needed a foster home before they could commit to rescuing her from the animal shelter. Next thing I knew I was emailing Allison Davis volunteering myself for the job. Allison is the founder and Executive Director of Annapolis Dog Rescue.

Allison founded Annapolis Dog Rescue in January 2010 beginning as a small family rescue. She and her 12-year-old son, Phillip felt the need to somehow make a difference in the lives of animals in need. After finding that other organizations were hesitant to allow children to volunteer or had time restrictions that didn’t mesh well with a full-time job and family, Allison struck out on her own. With the belief that children and young people have a lot to offer and the mission to build a spirit of volunteerism in children, the rescue group has grown to include many volunteers — families with children, single people and couples. In less than two years, Annapolis Dog Rescue has rescued over 200 dogs.

Many of the dogs Allison rescues come from the Darlington County Humane Society in South Carolina. This shelter is in a rural part of South Carolina and it’s regularly overwhelmed by the number of animals that are surrendered. On top of that, the animals are housed in outdoor pens. Allison regularly works with Darlington volunteers to pull vetted dogs and puppies at highest risk for euthanasia – like heartworm positive Lady above — and then bring them to Maryland. Volunteers drive the dogs, stacked in crates from floor to ceiling, in a van up the East Coast dropping them to different rescue groups along the way. When the transport reaches Maryland, Allison sets them up in foster homes where they’re loved and cared for until the perfect pre-screened adopter comes along.

During “Snowmaggeden” in winter of 2010, Allison ended up with over a dozen puppies in her house at once. The snow storms caused delays in the transport process and a couple trips’ worth of puppies arrived at once. According to Allison, they were naughty, stinky…and adorable. It was after that experience that Allison started looking for more volunteers. Volunteers help by becoming fosters, drivers, fundraisers, event planners…and just by being helpers. Allison and Annapolis Dog Rescue are equal opportunity rescuers; they save cats too! And when I met Allison she was talking about a goat in need she’d found on Craigslist.

I’m thankful for Allison because she saves animals that are the most in need giving them a chance at dignity and love, because she introduces the spirit of volunteering and love for animals in people of all ages, because she taught me there are many ways to be involved with rescue groups — you just have to ask — and because she allowed me to help rescue and save the life of a very precious dog. Thank you Allison and Annapolis Dog Rescue for all that you do! (P.S. I think I’m ready to take on another foster.)

Saving the lives of animals is a costly endeavor. Support the efforts of Annapolis Dog Rescue by making a contribution to their vetting and transportation funds here.

Images via Annapolis Dog Rescue’s facebook page and Katie Redmiles Pierson

There are more to thank!

• Thank You Nickey Henry
• Thank You Luann Pirro
• Thank You Susi Ming
• Thank You Tommy Tompkins
• Thank You (Leda’s) Mom
• Thank You Amelia Deslongchamps