Charlie and other dogs need your help

An adorable black basenji dog mix was on the green grass amidst the busy activity at Lake Chabot on a Sunday evening. With a broad white smile stretching across his face, he was in over his head eager and was jumping up and down to catch everyone’s attention.

Charlie was found near Los Banos. He is just one of the many animals that have been rescued by Dusty Paws, a non-profit organization that rescues cats and dogs and tries to find homes for these deserving furry creatures.

Paulette Murillo, Dusty Paws’ devoted volunteer, explained how Charlie was found with a broken leg that had some metal inside. Charlie is now waiting for surgery. However, it’ll be an expensive operation costing several thousand dollars and will require fundraising.

Dusty Paws has never said no to any expenses, whatever the circumstances being.

“Dusty Paws was first founded in 2007 in Castro Valley and has saved 400 dogs and cats since,” said Murillo.

Dusty Paws’ mission is to rescue animals from shelters and to take in strays. Also, the organization is a non-profit and is consisted only of volunteers. They communicate through emails and phone calls they receive.

Six years later, Dusty Paws has grown to a full organization with different volunteers, who foster the animals and participate in fundraisers. This year alone, the group has sheltered 70 dogs and eight cats.

The process to find and rescue these lucky animals can vary, but it always involves the dedication of more than 20 volunteers in the organization. Some animals have been rescued from shelters days before they were scheduled to be killed. Others are strays. Through a network created by volunteers, every animal is able to find a foster or a permanent residence.

Not only do the volunteers actively take care of the animals, but they are also responsible for the endless fundraising and adoption events to engage in. Bake sales and dog washes are just two of the ways Dusty Paws raises money for animals like Charlie. Dusty Paws also operates several adoption events a year, where people can come and meet the animals Dusty Paws strives to save.

Charlie was as sweet as affectionate as could be, even with a badly-set leg. He jumped on the table to give kisses, enjoyed romping around as much as possible, and desired a lot of love. After hearing about Charlie’s tragic story, it’s inconceivable that, only a short time after being found as a stray, he is now his way to a surgery that would alleviate the pain in his leg.

The great thing about Dusty Paws is that there are many animals, just like Charlie, who have been nurtured from the worst circumstances. They are now in the hands of those who want to help them find the right home.

To find event dates or to support Dusty Paws, visit the group’s web site at www.dustypawsrescue.net.