Luv-A-Chin Rescue: giving dogs a second chance
mdinchak - Megan Dinchak, PetSmart
Luv-A-Chin Rescue founder, Peggy Ellingson, began her mission to save the lives of Japanese Chin and Chin mixes on January 1st, 2008. Based out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Luv-A-Chin has rescued over 600 dogs since its establishment. They have a strong following of dedicated volunteers all over the United States and network with other rescue groups to save the lives of non-Chin breeds that end up in rescue situations. These devoted groups of volunteers stop at nothing to ensure that no dog is left behind.
Operating solely on donations, Luv-A-Chin takes in shelter dogs, breeder releases, and owner surrenders as well as dogs found in “Free to Good Home” ads. The vast majority of the dogs come from breeder auctions and out of large, commercial facilities. Often times, these large operations practice poor breeding habits, leaving the dogs with genetic defects like luxating patellas and heart murmurs that are passed on from generation to generation.
Luv-A-Chin provides rescued dogs with veterinary care and places them in a foster home until they find a lifelong, loving home. According to Ellingson, spaying and neutering the dogs is of greatest importance.
“With the numbers of homeless pets in shelters and unaltered dogs having litter after litter of more to add to the population, spay and neuter is always our first priority,” Ellingson says.
In a short amount of time, the volunteers at Luv-A-Chin have truly made a remarkable difference in the lives of hundreds of dogs in need. In 2009, they have seen an over 50% decrease in the number of Japanese Chins in rescue when compared to 2008. They attribute this decrease to the large number of dogs Luv-A-Chin has saved from commercial breeders.
“Never did I imagine there would be the numbers of Japanese Chins in the commercial kennels and the fact that 500+ alone from those facilities are now out of the breeding world, not producing puppies and finding homes – from young puppies to seniors – this to me is a large accomplishment in a very short time period,” Ellingson says.
Seeing once homeless dogs who now live in loving, forever homes makes Ellingson’s heart swell with pride. The volunteers at Luv-A-Chin have placed dogs in homes all over the country, from Tribeca apartments in New York City to the beaches and movie screen homes in California, and everywhere in between.
Ellingson will never forget Oliver, a 7 year-old male who came from an auction in March of 2008. Due to his age, she predicted that he would never get a chance to find his forever home. She posted a video of him on petfinder.com and shortly after received an application from a retired couple in Missouri who spend their time traveling the country in an RV. The couple passed the application with flying colors and always stops by to see Ellingson when they travel through Sioux Falls.
“To know Oliver has Joyce and Bob in his life to give him the best – as he deserves – has brought me to tears every time I see them,” Ellingson says.
There are many ways that the volunteers at Luv-A-Chin contribute their time and resources to the organization. They provide foster care to rescued dogs all over the country, often times transporting them hundreds of miles over state lines. A series of volunteers will each take a leg of the trip, meeting each other in between. They even have truck drivers who volunteer to transport the dogs to their foster homes in the cabins of their semis. Other ways volunteers contribute include donating money and supplies as well as assisting with home visits to potential forever homes.
There are many ways you can help this extraordinary group of volunteers find rescued dogs a lifelong, loving home. Every year, Luv-A-Chin sells calendars as a fundraiser with pictures of the pups they have saved. Donate or volunteer your time and you, too, can change the world for a pet in need.
If you’re looking to add a purebred dog to your family, do some research and check with breed-specific rescue organizations like Luv-A-Chin. Thousands of rescued dogs around the country are looking for their forever homes. You can find all of Luv-A-Chin’s adoptable dogs on petfinder.com.
“To be owned by a dog is a rare gift. Rescue and adoption is the way to share our wealth with others.” –Unknown author
Comments
11 Jan 2010 12:50 am
lilfuzz said:
Great article. I'm proud to be able to help in some little way with this group.
30 Dec 2009 4:46 pm
felix123 said:
Luv a Chin is the most wonderful organization and
Peggy is extremely nice and concerned about each and
every one of her Chin's. She is outstanding and I
am so happy with my little baby
Felix123
30 Dec 2009 2:08 pm
chinspin said:
Oh wow, I didn't know about this organization before this article. I have a white and red Japanese Chin, named Bonzi. The breed is so loving and smart, im so happy to see a rescue group dedicated to them. Im going to make a donation to Peggy.
29 Dec 2009 12:57 pm
mdinchak said:
Thank you all for sharing your comments. These wonderful little dogs deserve the best that life has to offer. Its volunteers like you that make every effort worth its weight in gold. I am pleased to be able to report on and honor such a worthy cause. Thank you all again for your contributions!
29 Dec 2009 12:45 pm
txnanny54 said:
I couldn't agree more with jmv. Peg truly is an inspiration to all of us here at LuvAChin Rescue. Infact, we all support each other in such a way that we are all an inspiration to each other. Everyone works so hard to provide the very best for these sweet deserving little angels who have been neglected and mistreated most of there lives. Fostering is the most rewarding thing I have ever done in my 55 years of life. It thrills my heart so to see these babies go to a loving forever home and know they will never be neglected again and always have plenty of love, warmth, attention, good food, and good care for the rest of their sweet lives. Thanks Megan, for the great article!
29 Dec 2009 10:14 am
jmv18 said:
Peg is an inspiration in her devotion to this incredible breed, I am proud to be part of this group, that does such important work rescuing chins and offering them the happy lives they so deserve!!!
28 Dec 2009 4:45 pm
7dogcrazy said:
I am very proud to be a part of this rescue group, one that puts the welfare of the dogs ahead of any other issue. Japanese Chins are wonderful dogs and all deserve a loving home. Great article!
28 Dec 2009 3:07 pm
fudogoma said:
Great article, those Chins look so happy. Im super pleased to see rescue groups like these. We definitely need more of them.
28 Dec 2009 2:35 pm
Graciedude97 said:
EXCELLENY article- -well done and really shows the loveable Chins!!!
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