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Sometimes life circumstances mean that loyal pets get left behind. That’s where Betsy Herald steps in to share not only a heart for animals, but also a positive work opportunity in her Boston-area community.
Who are these adorable furry faces? Most are loyal and loving dogs traveling north into New England from southern shelters as their owners’ living conditions have changed, and strained resources forced them to make the difficult decision to give up their companions. Others are dogs that were found roaming the streets hungry and dehydrated by no fault of their own, left behind and never knowing what a real loving home is.
Herald, an agent with The Charles Realty in Boston, Mass., and her friend Joanna Reck cofounded the Great Dog Rescue New England (GDRNE) in 2013, as a shelterless, all-breed rescue group. The model is to bring dogs from states with an overpopulation of strays and place them in foster families’ homes while they search for a permanent placement.
“Our goal is to meet the needs of each dog as an individual and to assure proper placement in a loving forever home,” Herald says.
Using her contacts and the networking skills she developed from being a real estate professional, Herald recruited hundreds of volunteers who open their homes to foster. Inspired by Herald’s dedication, Reck says, “Betsy is the brain at the rescue. She found a way to build it as a 501(c)3 nonprofit and gave me the confidence that I needed to continue helping save more dogs.”
“Betsy makes it rain dogs as her work brought everything together on a whole different level.” —Joanna Reck
Massachusetts requires rescue dogs entering from other states to be quarantined for 48 hours. Herald organizes volunteers from southern states to help transport 60 dogs every Thursday morning to their isolation center. There, a veterinarian does a routine health checkup, provides vaccines, and examines dogs for signs of illness, diseases, flees, ticks that may potentially spread to other animals. After the 48-hour quarantine period has been satisfied, the vet issues a health certificate, and the dogs are ready to be placed in foster homes until they find their very own families.
The key to success at GDRNE is the hundreds of foster families who open their homes, giving the dogs time to relax in a nurturing environment instead of living in shelters, which can be stressful and lead to anxiety and depression.
Through her efforts, 29,000 dogs have been rescued from kill shelters and found forever homes. She has helped raise more than $1 million to fund foster events and pop-ups, as well as transportation, food and life-saving procedures.
Herald matches dogs with families and has even helped place dogs with neurological or physical disorders with families whose children have similar challenges. “We help rescue dogs, as rescue dogs help heal our hearts,” Herald says.
Beyond Saving Dogs
Herald wanted the capacity to do more, and so this past summer, she signed a lease on a 1,400-square-foot vacant space to help expand GDRNE’s services. “We often get requests from groups to volunteer and since they are not allowed to have people in the isolation center, we’ve had to say no,” she says.
By extending into the space next door to the isolation center, GDRNE will have the option to invite children’s groups and seniors to engage with the dogs.
Reck, an architect by trade, is drawing up plans to build dog suites where potential adopters and dogs can get to know each other. Amenities include a photo studio and professional grooming suite.
“No matter what they’ve been through, they have somewhere to turn to. I will continue to provide a ray of sunshine to the dogs left behind.”
—Betsy Herald
As the organization has grown and needed more helpers to coordinate additional foster families and adoptions, Herald began engaging with women with children who are leaving abusive relationships. “These women need jobs where they can also be at home and be flexible to take care of their children,” Herald says. “We provide a safe and loving environment which restores and protects them.”
Herald says it fills her heart with joy to watch as women in her community get out of dangerous situations, knowing her work has helped them to gain their freedom.
Mindy’s Story
GDRNE has become a true blessing of giving dogs a second chance at survival and bringing joy to adopters, fosters and volunteers.
Mindy Wogan, a 10-year GDRNE volunteer and development director/adoption coordinator, wanted to help after she adopted her dog, Riley. “The joy and companionship our dog brought to my family and children sparked a desire for me to want to give back, foster and to extend our love to other dogs waiting for their own chance at a forever home just like Riley has with us,” she says.
Wogan is inspired by Herald’s devotion, no matter what is going on in her own life, 365 days a year, with no time off or payment.
“We are fortunate to have seen rescues come and go. We are not a business, this is a charity with no competition, we are saving dogs and giving them a second chance for a happy life.” —Betsy Herald
“I couldn’t be more proud to be part of volunteering at GDRNE,” Wogan says. Knowing that two women—Betsy Herald and Joanna Reck—met by accident to provide rescue for dogs just blows my mind.”
Even after 29,000 dogs have found long-term homes, Herald says her work is not done.
“No matter what they’ve been through, they have somewhere to turn to. I will continue to provide a ray of sunshine to the dogs left behind,” she says.
REALTOR® Betsy Herald of The Charles Realty, Boston, is cofounder of the Great Dog Rescue New England.
