Thursday, September 19, 2024
Last Saturday morning a person stopping by Tractor Supply could grab a bratwurst on the way in courtesy of Boy Scout Troop 59 and on the way out be the owner of a new puppy despite the fact that Tractor Supply does not sell puppies or any other animals.
The store acted as a venue for people to get to know the pooches of Our Pack, a nonprofit animal rescue whose mission is: Rescue. Rehab. Rehome. Repeat.
In a space cleared out in on the retail floor, Our Pack volunteers set up a tables, chairs and dog beds. All of the dogs were leashed and they were a mix of young and old, big and small and mingled bloodlines.
Some were rambunctious, such as M.J., a heeler mix that was a nonstop tail wagger and sniffed everyone walking by. Some were sleepy such as Linus, a shepherd-mixed pup and some needed a lot of tender loving care such as eight-year-old Carly, a blind diabetic Chihuahua mix.
They had 37 dogs up for adoption. Our Pack saves dogs from certain doom. They take in dogs from numerous out-of-state animal shelters that are swamped and in turn, often have high euthanasia rates. They also help out locally wherever they can.
Autumn and Ian Murphy started Our Pack in 2019. The group is managed through a group of five board members. In 2023 they found they found homes for 694 dogs.
“The rescue is based in New London but it’s foster-based and there are fosters are all over. There is some in Green Bay, Appleton, Weyauwega, Black Creek ... There is no shelter. The dogs are in a foster home the whole time,” said volunteer Melissa Thurlow.
There is an adoption fee that ranges from $400 to $200 depending on the age of the dog. All dogs are microchipped, vaccinated, dewormed, neutered or spayed, and have a certificate of health from a vet. Applications for adoption can be submitted through their website. Those looking for to bring a dog into their home can contact the group at www.ourpackanimalrescue.com.
