Minnesota Wisconsin Collie Rescue

Adoption of collies to qualified permanent homes. During 2023, MWCR Adoption Team volunteers reviewed adoption applications, checked references, visited homes or did remote visits of potential adopters to meet the adopters and inspect their homes, and when all criteria were successfully met, approved the applicants to adopt from us. In 2023, MWCR adopted 61 collies to permanent homes. The collies received all necessary veterinary care, including vaccinations and spaying or neutering, if needed, before adoptions become final. MWCR provided veterinary care for any condition arising within the first thirty days after adoption and for chronic conditions existing at the time of adoption. MWCR also offered behavioral assessment and assistance for the collies. Our Transport Coordinator organized volunteers who provided transportation to foster and permanent homes. MWCR provided follow-up with adopters to ensure that the collie is adjusting to the new home and to answer questions that the adopter might have. MWCR held two free Collie Frolics in 2023, one in Shakopee, MN and one in Madison, WI where collie owners and their collies got together to visit. The Frolics provide our collies with the opportunity to play in large, park-like settings.

Education and Outreach MWCR strives to educate the public about collies and the advantages of pet adoption. MWCR partners with the Collie Rescue Foundation, the Collie Health Foundation, and the Pause 4 Paws organizations to promote responsible pet adoption and to promote strong working relationships among animal welfare organizations. In addition to working with the other collie rescues across the United States, MWCR also collaborates with rescues and shelters such as the Animal Humane Society, Red Lake Rosie's Rescue, the Minnesota Sheltie Rescue, HAWS, Animal Rescue League of Iowa, the Aussie Rescue of Minnesota, the Wisconsin Humane Society and other rescues and shelters in our region to ensure the best placement of animals in need. We also partner with St. Paul Animal Control, Minneapolis Animal Care and Control, MADACC, and PUPS to take in collies from impound situations. In 2016, MWCE joined the national Shelter Animals Count program to share data on animal intake and adoptions. MWCR supports the greater collie community and provides assistance to collie owners experiencing hardships. We actively work to prevent the unnecessary surrender of collies and to keep collies in their loving homes. MWCR participates in community events such as the Great Lakes Pet Expo to promote awareness of MWCR, to educate the public about collies and rescue organizations, and to promote pet adoptions. MWCR hosts an annual business dinner meeting that includes an educational program for attendees. In 2023, MWCR held two in-person events, the Shakopee Collie Frolic and the Madison-area Collie Frolic in October. We held or participated in fundraisers including an online auction and a calendar fundraiser. We also participated in the Give to the Max and the Giving Tuesday fundraisers. Our website (www.mwcr.org) contains educational materials for the public, and we routinely use our Facebook page, online newsletter and our email group to update people on dog-related health issues, food recalls, health alerts, training and behavioral issues, missing collies, and other educational items. When needed, MWCR volunteers assist in the search for missing collies in our service area.