Rescue on a mission

Located in Vancouver, WA, Must Love Dogs NW (MLDNW) doesn’t just rescue dogs, though they have to the tune of more than 2000 dogs since the organization was founded in June 2008. Its mission is to “reduce and prevent animal homelessness by being the most innovative and service-oriented rescue in the area.”

The organization accomplishes this by offering low-cost spay/neuter assistance, community education, a dedicated foster network, food, and canine behaviorists. MLDNW’s adoption program’s goal, and its key, according to co-founder and resident Alycia Hadfield, is “to unite people with the right dog.”

“I actually like to call it a matchmaking program,” says Hadfield. “We want the dog and the people to be very happy in the end.”

MLDNW’s website is filled with information for prospective foster and adopting parents, offering tips, breed information and fun facts, plus product info and even a book club. One of the more poignant pieces of content appears in the “Tails from the Cages in the Back” page, which tells the stories of more difficult cases that have arrived on MLDNW’s doorstep and how they are working to find solutions to help these animals in need.

One recent story shares the tale of two dogs, Joy and Nala, who were rescued from a shelter after being abandoned by a hoarder. The pair was placed into the loving care of a MLDNW foster mother and are now being nurtured back to physical and emotional health. “Joy and Nala now have full bellies, a warm bed to sleep in, and one of the best foster families a dog could have,” the story concludes.

For dogs like Joy and Nala, Much Love Dogs NW is dedicated to providing the kind of support needed to give dogs the loving life they deserve. “We work with a lot of dogs that may be scared in a shelter,” says Hadfield, “but when you get them out of that setting you really see them blossom. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a dog come in terrified and leave happy and vibrant with a family who is going to love them forever.”

Must Love Dogs NW
PO Box 87175, Vancouver, WA, 98687
(866)990-DOGS * MustLoveDogsNW.com