BY BROOKLYN PINHEIRO
Emma Gladman’s first rescue dog was her baby, Murphy, a shepherd-retriever mix found roaming the streets in Alabama. Along with her new friend, Gladman found her new calling in rescuing dogs from the southern United States and bringing them to Canada.
“I realized how easy it is to get dogs from the states,” said Gladman. “People would tell me they were looking to adopt dogs and I was like ‘ok I’ll do it for you.’”
In Dallas, Texas there are roughly 9,000 loose dogs roaming around the southern, low-income area of the city. This overpopulation is a result of many factors, one being the lack of access to or acceptance of, spaying or neutering dogs. In the US there is an average of 12 per cent of owned cats and dogs that are not fixed, and that number rises to 85 per cent in South Dallas. The problem carries all throughout the south with shelters there euthanizing 50 to 95 per cent of dogs in their care leading to millions of pets put down yearly.
After a period of five years one unfixed female dog can have hundreds or even thousands of descendants assuming that her female pups will also not be fixed. Due to this overpopulation there isn’t a demand for dogs within these cities like there is for dogs in Canada.
Gladman started out by finding puppies for people within her social circle. She would search for pets in need and arrange transportation from the south to Buffalo where she would drive down to pick them up. This had a snowballing effect to where she is now, having arranged homes for 22 dogs who might not have had a chance at life without her.
Starting around four months ago Gladman has created a network of rescuers and transporters that help her get dogs up to Canada. The rescuers in Alabama and Texas will quite literally pick up dogs from the streets and send their picture and information to Gladman where she takes over for finding a home. Posting on Facebook and Instagram is her main source of adoptive families who will see the posting and fill out an application form.
Finding a parent that is committed to the challenges of adopting a pet is a priority for Gladman. Former stray dogs have a tendency to be nervous around people and will require a ton of patience from their owners until they become confident in their new life. After the application process is complete Gladman will have a couple families lined up for when the dogs arrive. These potential owners will get the chance to meet the dog before Gladman decides who will provide the best home for their new furry friend.
“It’s very stressful up until the dog is in its new home but once it’s in its new home and I receive picture of it settling in, it’s all so worth it,” said Gladman. She’s planning on becoming a registered rescuer to help with funds and expand her operation to help more dogs find supporting homes.
Emma was walking through a neighbourhood park where a pair of dogs was chasing a tennis ball. The owner looked familiar and she realized that it was one of the adopters she had worked with and Josie, the lab she rescued from Arkansas. After a month and a half in her new home the pup was running with her new dog sister and returning to her mom when called.
“Even though they went through the application I have to hope these people are as sincere as they made themselves seem,” said Gladman. “Them just being there was so genuine. It was nice to see.”
