Staffy Rescue is a dog’s life

Mina Melman’s heart beats to the dog world drum.

Even through economic hard times, she continues to help her greatest love - staffys.

The Box Hill mother of three wakes at 5am and doesn’t rest until midnight each and every day. She has a 13-year-old staffy named Tilby to blame.

Single and lonely, she went searching for a friend. She knew exactly what she wanted and eventually found her ‘shadow’, who is now tinged with grey.

“Just months later I got another dog and from here spawned Staffy Rescue,” she said.

“It was addictive and I wanted to help as many dogs as possible.”

That was almost 10 years ago.

Now homing up to 40 dogs at a time, the daily routines allow each dog plenty of time to run and play and explore.

But the cost of running the non-profit organisation takes its toll and it has only been through the help of people that she’s seen the light at the end of the tunnel.

With a handful of volunteers to assist with the daily running, her and husband Anthony are the backbone of the operations.

“We get calls from animal shelters and pounds. Some dogs, if we didn’t take them, would have been put down that day, so it really is rewarding work.”

Starting Staffy Rescue has allowed Mrs Melman to meet many people of all walks of life.

“I’ve met some really beautiful people during my journey,” she said.

“I love being able to help people and dogs and I honestly don’t know how we afford it.

“The dogs get the best of everything and we only charge people what it costs us at the vets to look after the dogs.”

For long-term stayers, dogs can cost hundreds of dollars in vet bills.

“Sometimes the $350 we charge people doesn’t even come close to covering their vet bills, but we manage to stay alive,” she said.

“And it’s only through the help we’ve had from volunteers and the generous donations from people and companies.

“I can’t imagine life without being part of Staffy Rescue.”

See Staffy Rescue's available dogs here

 

 

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Reference: http://rouse-hill-times.whereilive.com.au

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